MLB
Former Fremont Pitcher Takes Center Stage At MLB Futures Game
SALT LAKE CITY – Los Angeles Angels prospect Ky Bush looked good in pitching a scoreless inning at the MLB Futures Game at MLB’s midsummer classic.
The MLB Futures Game was played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, July 16.
Bush showed up to famed Dodger Stadium with some personalized cleats representing his hometown of Ogden, Utah. An ‘801’ representing the area code and a backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains set behind a Nike swoosh popped on his red cleats. Bush spent his prep years with Fremont High School.
Ky Bush bringing the 🔥 to the Future’s game @Angels pic.twitter.com/H2n1CHhkJh
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) July 16, 2022
Traditionally a starting pitcher, Bush entered out of the bullpen for the All-Star game format that values getting as many players as possible a chance to showcase their skills.
Entering in the third inning with a 5-3 lead, Bush faced Sat. Louis Cardinals No. 1 prospect Jordan Walker to lead off. Swinging at the first pitch, Walker chopped a ball to short and was easily retired. Los Angeles Dodgers prospects Miguel Vargas then faced Bush. With a 1-0 count, Vargas weakly grounded to short for an out.
In a lefty on lefty matchup, Colorado Rockies prospect Zac Veen took a 1-2 pitch the other way for a line drive single to left, his second hit of the game. After Veen stole second base, it appeared that Bush has Veen caught in a rundown, but Bush’s throw to third got away, allowing Veen to advance.
With a runner on third and two down, Mets prospect Mark Vientos worked a walk to put runners at the corners. Cardinals prospect Masyn Wynn then struckout swinging to end the inning.
Bush finishes the inning with a beautiful sequence. Two well-located fastballs for the called strike and foul ball, then the backfoot slider came in for the whiff. Bush gets out of the inning unscathed. Threw 9 fastballs, 3 sliders, 2 changeups, and a curve, averaged 93.8. pic.twitter.com/vwZGmV4xYM
— Kyle Kishimoto (@kylemoto10) July 17, 2022
In one inning, Bush stranded a pair of base runners while giving up one hit, walking a batter and striking out one. Nobody put the ball in the air against the ground ball focused pitcher.
Rise to prominence
Bush struggled in a single season with Washington State. In 19 appearances (nine starts), Bush compiled an 0-5 record with a 12.69 earned run average.
Following his freshman season at Wazzu, Bush transferred to Central Arizona College where he started seven games and went 5-1 with a 2.43 earned run average before the Coronavirus pandemic scuttled the season.
Bush then transferred to Saint Mary’s College ahead of his junior year. With the Gaels, Bush posted a 2.99 earned run average along with a 7-5 record. He earned All-West Coast Conference first team honors in his lone season with Saint Mary’s.
After his junior season, the Angels made Bush the 45th overall pick (second round), assigning him to High-A Tri-City to close the season. After finishing 2021 with an 0-2 record in five starts with Tri-City Bush was promoted to Double-A Rocket City to open the 2022 campaign.
The 6’6 lefty has been great in 14 starts for the Trash Pandas.
Absolutely DISGUSTING 🤮 Slider from #Angels prospect Ky Bush pic.twitter.com/Cd1iJZGLf3
— Jared Tims (@Jared_Tims) July 1, 2022
In 67.1 innings in 2022, Bush has allowed just 25 earned runs and limited opponents to seven home runs while striking out 67 and walking just 20 batters. He is 5-2 witha 3.34 earned run average.
According to MLB.com, Bush has two above-average pitches in a mid-90’s fastball and a slider with good break. He also mixes in a mid-70’s curveball and has been developing a changeup.
Future Bee?
Could Bush receive a call-up to Salt Lake to close the season?
Without any inside knowledge of the situation, I believe Los Angeles is likely to let Bush cut his teeth at the big league level if their season continues to go south. This approach would be similar to how Reid Detmers was used in 2021.
After making 12 starts for Double-A Rocket City, Detmers made two starts for the Bees before finishing the season with five starts for the Angels.
However it works out, Bush is shaping up to be a rotation piece of the future for a pitching starved Los Angeles Angels franchise.
