masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBarring a last-second change of heart, it appears that the Orioles are prepared to move pitcher Dylan Bundy from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie after he pitches for the Keys tonight at home against Lynchburg.

Bundy is 5-3 with a 2.57 ERA over 10 Keys starts. In 49 innings he has allowed 41 hits with 15 walks and 56 strikeouts.

But over his last three starts, he has allowed just one earned run over 16 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA on the season from 3.58 to 2.57. He looks ready to move…Barring a last-second change of heart, it appears that the Orioles are prepared to move pitcher Dylan Bundy from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie after he pitches for the Keys tonight at home against Lynchburg.

Bundy is 5-3 with a 2.57 ERA over 10 Keys starts. In 49 innings he has allowed 41 hits with 15 walks and 56 strikeouts.

But over his last three starts, he has allowed just one earned run over 16 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA on the season from 3.58 to 2.57. He looks ready to move to Double-A. I guess it’s possible he could pitch poorly tonight and remain with Frederick, but that sure seems unlikely.

Orioles Director of Pitching Development Rick Peterson is expected to watch Bundy’s outing in Frederick and executive vice-president Dan Duquette may attend the game as well.

If Bundy does move to Bowie and stays pitching on a six-day schedule as he has most of this year, he could debut for the Baysox at home next Tuesday when they host Erie in a 6:05 p.m. doubleheader.

Meanwhile, the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds are going to send four players to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game, set for August 14 at Mahoning Valley. They are all 2012 draft picks in OF Lucas Herbst, SS Joel Hutter, C Sam Kimmel, and 1B Christian Walker.

Herbst was drafted in the 26th round out of Santa Clara University. Herbst currently leads the IronBirds with a .476 slugging percentage and is tied for team-lead with four triples. The Monterrey, CA native is currently on a nine-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games.

Hutter was selected in the 10th round. Hutter leads the IronBirds in batting average (.311), hits (47), and doubles (11). Hutter’s .311 batting average is ninth-best in the New York-Penn League. The Davenport, Iowa native is currently on a 10-game hitting streak and has reached base in 20 consecutive contests.

Kimmel was drafted in the 18th round and is hitting .274 with 10 RBI, 11 runs and seven stolen bases.

Walker is the Orioles’ fourth-round pick from June. Walker is the highest drafted position player from this draft on the IronBirds roster. He has a .284 average with five doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI. In his college days, Walker helped guide South Carolina to back-to-back National Championships in 2010 and 2011.

By the way, Orioles first-round pick, pitcher Kevin Gausman, is scheduled to make his Ripken Stadium debut this Sunday, August 12th at 2:35 p.m. For ticket information, contact the IronBirds Box Office at 410-297-9292 or visit their website at IronBirdsbaseball.com.

Update: Bundy has been promoted to Double-A and will make his first start for the Baysox next Tuesday night in Bowie.