MLB Trade Deadline: Top 3 pitchers who have increased their value
By Nick Stevens
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, these three SP increased their value.
With the 2020 MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, it’s about time to get the rumor mill cranking as contending teams look to add a missing piece or two to their World Series run and rebuilding clubs attempt to trade away productive pieces in exchange for what they hope become the next prospect to break out.
All but a small handful of teams will likely be buyers over the next two weeks, thanks to this year’s expanded playoff format.
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At the top of a lot of team’s shopping list will be pitching. There are a few high-quality names sure to be on the market, like Lance Lynn of Texas and Trevor Bauer of Cincinnati, both of whom are pitching lights out in 2020. But a few surprising names have popped up as potential trade candidates this season.
Luckily for their current MLB ballclubs, their value is the highest it has been in a very long time. Will any of these three teams be able to capitalize and acquire a notable return at the deadline?
Los Angeles Angels: RHP – Dylan Bundy
What a pickup Dylan Bundy has been for the Los Angeles Angels. LA sent four minor league pitchers to the Baltimore Orioles (a quantity-over-quality move for the rebuilding Orioles) over the winter in exchange for the 27-year-old and the trade has produced immediate positive results.
Bundy is currently 3-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 0.80 WHIP through his first five starts. He’s striking out a career-high 30.2% of hitters and walking a career-low 5.6% while limiting opponents to a .164 average against.
Bundy’s fastball velocity has tanked over the years and has lost close to another mph since last season (90.3 mph in 2020), but since leaving Baltimore, Bundy has begun to abandon the pitch, even more, throwing it just 30% of the time.
He’s throwing his slider more and it’s been one of the most lethal sliders in all of baseball. Opponents are hitting .098 against the pitch and it’s produced a 55% whiff rate. Truly elite production.
The four pitchers sent to Baltimore for Bundy all project as relief arms and only two found their way into the Orioles list of Top 30 prospects. If Bundy can continue to pitch well in his final two starts before the deadline, a team in desperate need of starting pitching help (like that of the Atlanta Braves) is sure to come calling for one of the game’s former top prospects.
LA may have the opportunity to turn four minor league relief arms into a bigger prospect or two to add to their farm system.
Only the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners have a worse winning percentage than Los Angeles, meaning another year of Mike Trout not getting the opportunity to shine on the game’s biggest stage. Moving Dylan Bundy at his peak value right now should bring in a noteworthy piece or two for LA as they continue to find a winning formula.