Archie Bradley and Dylan Bundy: Friends and Brothers

The prep pitching phenoms share a bond that goes beyond friendship.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 6:13 pm

By: News On 6

Archie Bradley and Dylan Bundy: Friends and Brothers

Originally Published: Apr 28, 2011 3:41 PM CDT

Dave Davis

Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – They’re the two best high school pitchers in the state and maybe - depending on who you talk to – in the entire country. Dylan Bundy of Owasso and Archie Bradley of Broken Arrow have been playing together since they were eight years old and, as a result, they have a bond closer than friendship.

“You could classify it as brothers,” said Bradley.

Bundy agrees. “I’d say we’re pretty much like brothers.”

And like most brothers, they are fierce competitors. When asked who they think is the better pitcher, Bradley and Bundy agree that they’re about equal.

But if you ask each of them who they think is the better batter . . . well, that’s a different story.

“I mean, you could argue both ways,” admits Bradley. “I think he’s hitting for a little better average this year, but I think I have more power.”

Initially, Bundy responded to the batting question with “no comment”. But when I told him Bradley thinks he has more power, that sparked him.

“He said that?” says Bundy, trying to hold back a smile. “No, look at the bombs. He has five, I have seven There you go.” [Note: these numbers are current as of early April].

But, Bradley had a rebuttal to Bundy’s claim of more power. “Okay, with a field [Stigall Field] where the wind blows out 30 miles an hour. He can’t deny that and neither can they,” said Bradley, smiling broadly.

As far as pitching goes, both are likely first round picks in this coming June’s MLB draft. They each feature fastballs in the mid-to-upper nineties and at least one refined breaking pitch: Bundy, a slider, and Bradley, a knuckle curve.

Neither has decided if they will go pro or go to college. Bradley is a University of Oklahoma commit in both baseball and football, while Bundy is committed to play baseball at the University of Texas. And with upwards of 15 scouts at all of their starts, they both realize the kind of pressure they’re under.

“We usually call each other after every start just to tell each other how we did and what we need to do to get better,” said Bundy.

“The magnifying glass is really on me and Dylan,” said Bradley. “Having him to talk to lets things get out of our chest and off of our head; what we’re feeling, what we’re thinking.”

They were scheduled to face each other on April 15 at Owasso, but the game was cancelled due to the cold weather. If they end up meeting in the playoffs, they know it will be all business . . . on the field.

“Once we get on the field, we’re complete enemies,” admitted Bundy. “Once we shake hands, it’s back to friendship.”

Bradley agrees. “We’re brothers and friends, but as soon as that first pitch is thrown, that all goes aside. We both want to win.”