Blake Dunn

Blake Dunn
Dunn with Western Michigan in 2018
Cincinnati Reds – No. 76
Outfielder
Born: (1998-09-05) September 5, 1998 (age 26)
Holland, Michigan, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 4, 2024, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.154
Home runs1
Runs batted in1
Teams

Blake William Dunn (born September 5, 1998) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Early life and amateur career

Dunn attended Saugatuck High School in Saugatuck, Michigan.[1] He enrolled at Western Michigan University and played college baseball for the Western Michigan Broncos for four seasons. He was named first team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a sophomore after hitting .374 with five home runs, nine doubles, two triples, and 30 stolen bases.[2] In 2019, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3] Dunn batted .288 with four doubles, two home runs, and 11 stolen bases in 15 games during his junior season before it was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.[4] Dunn batted .305 as a senior.[5]

Professional career

The Cincinnati Reds selected Dunn in the 15th round of the 2021 MLB draft.[6] After signing with the team he was assigned to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Reds before being promoted to the Daytona Tortugas of Low-A Southeast. Dunn hit .286 over 11 total minor league games.[7] He returned to Daytona in 2021, but missed most of the season due to a shoulder injury and finished the season with a .290 batting average in 33 games olayed.[8] Dunn was assigned to the High-A Dayton Dragons to begin the 2023 season.[9] He was promoted to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts after hitting .276 with eight home runs and 19 stolen bases over 47 games played.[10]

Dunn began the 2024 season with the Triple–A Louisville Bats, hitting .223/.348/.378 with four home runs, 22 RBI, and nine stolen bases across 44 games. On June 4, 2024, Dunn was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[11] Dunn made his MLB Debut the same day.

References

  1. ^ https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/sports/2023/04/21/saugatucks-blake-dunn-back-in-west-michigan-chasing-major-league-dreams/70131524007/
  2. ^ "Blake Dunn optimistic as MLB draft looms". The Holland Sentinel. May 20, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "#23 Blake Dunn — Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Nothaft, Patrick (February 15, 2021). "WMU outfielder Blake Dunn raking in accolades ahead of junior season". Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "UM's Benjamin Sems, WMU's Blake Dunn lead local selections on Day 3 of MLB Draft". The Detroit News. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "Saugatuck's Blake Dunn drafted by Cincinnati Reds". The Holland Sentinel. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "Minor League assignments announced for local players". The Holland Sentinel. April 11, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "Dragons' Dunn thrives on pressure moments". Dayton Daily News. April 10, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  9. ^ "Cincinnati Reds prospects: Blake Dunn, outfielder, dominant in 2023". Cincinnati Enquirer. May 5, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "Blake Dunn called up to Chattanooga Lookouts; two steps from majors". The Holland Sentinel. June 5, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "Reds Select Blake Dunn". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 4, 2024.