Justin Dunn/Photo by Ed Delany

New York Mets 2016 first rounder Justin Dunn‘s second time through the Florida State League has proven to be quite successful.

The former 19th overall pick in the MLB Draft out of Boston College struggled mightily in 2017 to the tune of a 5.00 ERA, 4.53 BB/9, and only 7.08 K/9. In 2018, Dunn has appeared to turn the corner and the results on the field are showing.

For starters, Dunn is displaying improved control, decreasing his BB/9 to 2.76 and increasing his K/9 to 9.82. The right-hander has a 2.15 ERA and 1.36 WHIP this season for the St. Lucie Mets.

I saw Dunn most recently on May 15, pitching against the Atlanta Braves affiliate, Florida Fire Frogs. Dunn was efficient in four innings of work (abbreviated start due to first one off DL stint with minor hammy issue), allowing only two hits and zero walks. The lone run allowed came on a misplayed flyball to right field that led to an inside-the-park HR.

Dunn featured three pitches; a fastball, slider, and change-up. His fastball sat 93-95 with late life. He located it down in the zone effectively and elevated late in the count. His change-up sat around 87 with fade. He used it to run away from the barrel of left handed hitters and occasionally tried to bust them inside, with the pitch acting more like a two-seamer that tailed over the inside corner.

Dunn’s best pitch though was a hard sweeping slider with downward tilt. The slider, sitting at 84 mph, was Dunn’s out pitch. While Dunn was able to get weak contact with the slider early in counts, the pitch was also an effective strikeout pitch.

Dunn’s improved command and ability to attack the zone early with his offspeed is sustainable due to his mechanics. His delivery is clean and easy. Dunn stays tall on his back leg and in line with home as he drives off his back leg. This is allowing him to stay on top of the ball and throw from a downhill plane.

Dunn is showing the plus-type stuff that made him one of the top college pitchers in the 2016 draft.