J.R. Bunda

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.

• School University of Portland
• High School Iolani High School

• Born December 3, 1990 in Honolulu, HI USA

BR register page

Biographical Information

J.R. Bunda has pitched in the minors.

Bunda was a two-way star in baseball in high school and was also All-State honorable mention in football. As a college freshman, he was 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA, followed by 0-1, 8.27 as a sophomore. He was 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA in 19 games as a junior. He was also 4-5 with a 4.34 ERA for the Bend Elks. He started his senior year 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA before a sudden heart attack. He redshirted and recovered to go 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA in 2014, with 21 games pitched.

J.R. made his pro debut with the 2015 San Rafael Pacifics, going 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA, fanning 23 in 18 2/3 IP. He then got the call for the Philippines national team's first start in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers ahead of more notable pros like Clay Rapada, Kevin Vance and Taylor Garrison. Facing host Australia, he allowed a hit to James Beresford, followed by Brad Harman hitting into a force, two errors by Matt Vance on a Mitch Dening grounder and a RBI single to Stefan Welch. He fanned former major leaguer Luke Hughes and retired former big leaguer Trent Oeltjen. In the 2nd, he allowed another run on hits by Logan Wade and Beresford. After one out and one walk in the 3rd, he was relieved by Rapada; the Philippines went on to a 11-1 loss.

His father Robert is a State Senator in Hawaii.

Sources

• World Baseball Classic
• The Baseball Cube
• Story on Bunda's heart attack
• Portland bio