EL notes: Bundy leads way for brother

Following the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Bowie right-hander Bobby Bundy worked out at Dynamic Sports Development in Tulsa, Okla. After last season, the 22-year-old was joined by a workout partner who also appears to have a bright future as a pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles.

That would be his younger brother Dylan, who began this season as the No. 2 prospect in the Orioles' system and does not turn 20 until November.

"I was fortunate to spend [time] with Dylan. I had a catch partner, and we work well together," Bobby Bundy said. "It was great getting to work with him. It is an advantage we have as brothers. We know how each other's body works."

The brothers from Sperry High School -- about 15 miles north of Tulsa -- worked out for about 90 minutes most days from Oct. 10 until Feb. 20, when Bobby headed to Spring Training in Florida. He broke camp with Bowie after spending the end of last season with the Baysox.

"He has a power arm that has some sink, and he has life to his fastball," said Bowie manager Gary Kendall. "He has a really good feel for his changeup.

"He is young and has a very good work ethic, not just with the Orioles but in the off-season," Kendall added. "He's very focused on getting to the big leagues. He is very soft-spoken and well-mannered."

Bundy was asked if he is becoming known as the brother of Dylan Bundy?

"That's already happened," he said with a laugh. "He went through that with me when I was drafted. Now he's surpassed me [in terms of attention]. I'm known as his brother now. That's OK. I just want to get to the next level, like he does."

While Bobby Bundy is with Bowie, his younger brother is about 100 miles away on the Maryland shore with Delmarva in the Class A full-season South Atlantic League. Over his first three pro starts, covering nine innings, Dylan Bundy has not allowed a hit while striking out 15 batters and walking just one.

"They are both very focused on becoming the best they can be," said Kendall, who also got to see Dylan at Spring Training in March. "They are very professional. They like to have fun, but at the same time, when there is work to be done, they are extremely focused."

The brothers do not communicate every day but talk after each of their starts and sometimes compare notes on days when they throw on the side.

Bobby Bundy pitched six scoreless innings April 11 against Richmond but struggled in his next two outings. Over his first four starts, he is 1-3 with an ERA of 5.31, allowing 25 hits and nine walks in 20 1/3 innings while fanning 14.

Last year he went 11-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 20 starts for Class A Advanced Frederick and was a mid-season All-Star. An eighth-round pick by the Orioles in 2008, he began his pro career in the Gulf Coast League, then played for Bluefield in the Appalachian League in 2009. Bundy advanced to Delmarva in 2010, going 4-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 games, including 18 starts.

Struggles for the Sea Dogs: While the parent Red Sox are off to a slow start, Portland also has concerns following a 7-2 loss at Binghamton on Sunday. The Sea Dogs fell to 4-14 overall and 1-10 on the road with a team batting average of .236. "Our guys showed signs of putting together a quality approach" at the plate, Sea Dogs manager Kevin Boles told The Portland Press-Herald. "They've got to be consistent with runners in scoring position, but our guys are working hard every day."

Hot start at Reading: Reading began the season 7-1 for the first time in its 46-year history, according to The Reading Eagle. "I knew that we had a team with a lot of talent," outfielder Steve Susdorf told the paper. Our success "was a matter of how the younger guys were going to handle the Double-A stage, and they've taken and run with it." Top prospect Trevor May, a right-handed starter, was 3-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his first three starts, and Reading was 11-5 through Sunday.

Several new faces: Erie has welcomed several new faces as right-handers Mark Sorensen and Patrick Cooper were assigned to the team Thursday from Lakeland of the Class A Advanced Florida State League, while former Major Leaguer Zach Miner joined the roster Friday. Sorensen, the son of former big leaguer Lary Sorensen, is slated to start Tuesday at Trenton after he went 0-1, 4.50 in two starts for the Flying Tigers. He made 17 starts last year for the SeaWolves.