Perfect Bonnin fans 11 in second pro start

July 8th, 2021
Bryce Bonnin was 2020's 84th overall pick by the Reds out of Texas Tech.Nati Harnik/AP

There was nothing slow about 's start with the Tortugas.

The No. 16 Reds prospect made his Low-A debut and sparkled over five perfect frames -- striking out a career-high 11 -- while pacing Daytona to a 9-1 drubbing of Jupiter in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Wednesday night.

It was just the second professional start for Bonnin, who made his pro debut with the ACL Reds on June 29 when he allowed a run on a pair of hits and a walk while fanning seven over four innings.

The third-round pick (No. 84 overall) in last year's Draft was in total control -- whiffing the side in the second and fourth innings. And of the four outs that were made in play, only one ball left the infield.

Bonnin never needed more than 15 pitches to navigate through an inning -- needing 10 in the first, 12 in the second, 10 in the third, 15 in the fourth and 13 in the fifth. He was pulled after throwing 44 of his 60 pitches for strikes.

The right-hander opened the season on the injured list as he recovered from an injury. His 11 strikeouts marked a team season-high for Daytona and tied him for second most in franchise history with teammate James Proctor since the club rebranded prior to the 2015 season. Amir Garrett holds the record with 12 strikeouts. The effort also landed Bonnin his first professional victory.

The Texas Tech product boasts a 60-grade fastball and 60-grade slider (on a 20-20 scouting scale), and both offerings were on display against the Hammerheads. Bonnin recorded three of his 11 whiffs on three pitches.

The 22-year-old is sporting a 1.00 ERA and 0.33 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and a single walk over nine innings to open his professional career.