Owasso's Flame Thrower

Originally Published: Apr 28, 2010 4:57 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

OWASSO, Oklahoma – With a fastball that touches the upper-90s, and a curveball that buckles hitters knees, Owasso junior Dylan Bundy has more than his fair share of weapons on the mound.

“He’s got a lot of ability. He’s blessed with a golden arm, so to speak,” said Owasso head coach Larry Turner. “He’s way ahead of his time. The sky’s the limit with him.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound flame-thrower brought his game to Owasso after two outstanding seasons at Sperry High School. He said the move would give him an opportunity to play against better competition at a bigger school. The pressure that came with the switch hasn’t fazed him.

In a game at the Tulsa Drillers’ new stadium in mid-April, Bundy shined against the Broken Arrow Tigers. He fanned 16 hitters in a complete game, three-hit effort. He allowed just one earned run and out-dueled fellow top area prospect Archie Bradley. Six days earlier, he struck out 17 hitters in another seven-inning gem.

“(I love) overpowering young guys,” smiled Bundy.

His fastball has always been devastating. He’s been working on it with his dad since he was 14. He consistently hit 93 miles per hour on the radar against the Tigers, but has the ability to hurl harder than that.

“I can hit faster,” Bundy said recently after a game against Skiatook. “I’m hoping to hit 98 or 99 this year, maybe faster my senior year.

“I’d rather locate at 90-92 than hit 96 every time. If I can pitch at 92-94, I’ll be happy with that.”

Owasso is no stranger to top talents. The school has seven former players in professional baseball right now. Twelve former Rams have gone pro since 1979, and numerous have gone on to play college baseball.

According to his coach, Bundy is further along than all of them for his age.

“I can’t think of any other off the top of my head that would be better prepared,” said Turner. “As far as being prepared and doing the little things that it takes to reach his potential, I can’t think of any.”

Memorial hitters found that out the hard way, when Bundy struck out 11 Chargers in the first four innings. His talent is as impressive as it is obvious, but there is more to accomplish for the hard-throwing righty.

“Go to college on a full-ride or go pro,” Bundy said confidently. “Whatever comes my way.”