Kody Funderburk Explained

Kody Funderburk
Team:Minnesota Twins
Number:55
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:27 November 1996
Birth Place:Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:August 28
Debutyear:2023
Debutteam:Minnesota Twins
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:July 8, 2024
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:3–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:4.43
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:50
Teams:

Kody Funderburk (born November 27, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.

Career

Funderburk graduated from Queen Creek High School in Queen Creek, Arizona.[1] He began his college baseball career at Mesa Community College.[2] He then transferred to Dallas Baptist University.

The Minnesota Twins selected Funderburk in the 15th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Elizabethton Twins, recording a 4.93 ERA in 10 games. Funderburk spent the 2019 season with the Single–A Cedar Rapids Kernels, also appearing in one game for the High–A Fort Myers Miracle. In 12 games (10 starts) for Fort Myers, he posted a 4.68 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 50.0 innings pitched.[4]

Funderburk did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] He returned to action in 2021, splitting the year between Cedar Rapids and the Double–A Wichita Wind Surge. In 18 games (10 starts) split between the two affiliates, Funderburk combined to a 4–3 record and 2.55 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 4 saves in 67.0 innings pitched.[6] He spent the entire 2022 season back in Wichita, registering a 10–5 record and 2.94 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 107.0 innings of work.[7]

Funderburk began the 2023 season with Double–A Wichita, and was promoted to the Triple–A St. Paul Saints after 5 games. In 37 appearances for the Saints, he registered a 2.60 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 5 saves in 52.0 innings of work.[8]

On August 28, 2023, Funderburk was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[9] He made his MLB debut the same day and earned his first win after pitching two perfect innings in relief of Kenta Maeda in a 10 - 6 home victory over the Cleveland Guardians.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reusse: Kody Funderburk climbs to Twins and MLB, with twists along the way . .
  2. Web site: Arizona junior colleges offer viable route to pro baseball. November 26, 2023. eastvalleytribune.com. July 28, 2017 . en.
  3. Web site: Minnesota Twins 2018 MLB draft pick capsules .
  4. Web site: Kody Funderburk Stats & Scouting Report. November 26, 2023. baseballamerica.com. en.
  5. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. November 26, 2023. mlb.com. en.
  6. Web site: Kody Funderburk - Stats - Pitching. November 26, 2023. fangraphs.com. en.
  7. Web site: Kody Funderburk - Baseball Stats. November 26, 2023. thebaseballcube.com. en.
  8. Web site: The No. 1 Twins' prospect headlines Opening Day for Wichita Wind Surge Baseball. November 26, 2023. kansas.com. en.
  9. https://www.mlb.com/news/minnesota-twins-option-bailey-ober-to-triple-a-call-up-kody-funderburk Park, Do-Hyoung. "Twins option Ober to Triple-A, activate Funderburk," MLB.com, Monday, August 28, 2023.
  10. https://apnews.com/article/guardians-twins-royce-lewis-grand-slam-9a1d91e221bd8823f1687da3f6ceccab Campbell, Dave. "Royce Lewis hits his 2nd slam in 2 days; Twins top the Guardians 10 - 6 for 7-game lead," The Associated Press (AP), Monday, August 28, 2023.