Kody Funderburk

Kody Funderburk
Minnesota Twins – No. 55
Pitcher
Born: (1996-11-27) November 27, 1996 (age 28)
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
August 28, 2023, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
(through July 8, 2024)
Win–loss record3–0
Earned run average4.43
Strikeouts50
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 drafted Funderburk in the 15th round, with the 454th overall selection, 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 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 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 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 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]

Funderburk started the season on the Opening Day roster before getting optioned multiple times. In 26 appearances for Minnesota, he logged a 5.61 ERA with 31 strikeouts over 33+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 21, 2024, the Twins placed Funderburk on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain,[11] and was later moved to the 60-day injured list on September 5.[12] He was activated on September 27.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Reusse: Kody Funderburk climbs to Twins and MLB, with twists along the way". Star Tribune.
  2. ^ "Arizona junior colleges offer viable route to pro baseball". eastvalleytribune.com. July 28, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "Minnesota Twins 2018 MLB draft pick capsules".
  4. ^ "Kody Funderburk Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  5. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  6. ^ "Kody Funderburk - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Kody Funderburk - Baseball Stats". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  8. ^ "The No. 1 Twins' prospect headlines Opening Day for Wichita Wind Surge Baseball". kansas.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Park, Do-Hyoung. "Twins option Ober to Triple-A, activate Funderburk," MLB.com, Monday, August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  10. ^ 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. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "Twins place Funderburk on 15-day injured list". MLB.com. July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Nightengale, Bobby (September 5, 2024). "Byron Buxton has setback on rehab assignment; Twins put Max Kepler on injured list". Star-Tribune. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "Twins Activate Kody Funderburk From Injured List". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.