Locals In MLB: Oliver Dunn’s Fast Start A Distant Memory Amidst Current Slump

SALT LAKE CITY— After a hot start to the season, former Utah infielder Oliver Dunn has come crashing back to earth for the Milwaukee Brewers in a big way.

Seven of Dunn’s 12 hits and two of three extra-base knocks came in the first seven games of the year. Over his past 15 games, Dunn is slashing .135/.135/.162 with one RBI and 17 strikeouts.

qualified players in 90th percentile or better in both hard-hit rate and sprint speed so far this season:

Bobby Witt Jr.
Gunnar Henderson
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Oliver Dunn

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 26, 2024

Utah Utes (2)

Tanner Banks | Pitcher | Salt Lake Bruins

MLB – (Chicago White Sox)

Banks has a difficult task coming out of the bullpen for a White Sox team with an anemic offense. The Riverton, Utah native has surrendered three hits and an earned run in each of his past two appearances. He took the loss against Minnesota after one hard-hit ball and some tough luck led to a difficult 6-3 loss.

The White Sox have the worst record in baseball, at 6-22. They are 13 games behind the American League Central Division-leading Cleveland Guardians.

RELATED: Former Utah High Schoolers Show Personality In White Sox Video

🚨 Alumni Alert 🚨

Tanner Banks, 2011 and 2012 Stinger

Appeared in 8 games w/ the White Sox, pitched 11 innings and has struck out 15 batters.

Currently holds a 3.27 ERA during the 2024 season #stingem 🐝 pic.twitter.com/pmNMR4ux2i

— Willmar Stingers (@WillmarStingers) April 24, 2024

The Riverton High School product played two seasons (2011-12) under D.G. Nelson at Salt Lake Community College before finishing his collegiate career across the valley with the Utes.

Banks was 4-12 in 29 appearances for the Utes, including 19 starts. He struck out 70 against 31 walks in 113 innings, ending his amateur career with a 5.18 ERA. The Chicago White Sox selected the 6’1 lefthander in the 18th round of the 2014 draft. Banks made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2022.

2024 Stats: 10 G | 12 IP | 0-2 | 4.50 ERA | 16 Ks | 3 BB | 1.83 WHIP

Career Stats: 2 Yrs | 67 Games | 3-4 | 3.79 ERA | 114 IP | 51 Ks | 34 BB | 1.23 WHIP

Oliver Dunn | 2B

MLB  – (Milwaukee Brewers)

Milwaukee leads the National League Central with a 17-10 overall record. The Brew Crew is 6-4 in its last ten games.

Yikes…Oliver Dunn has fallen into the Earth itself.

Counting today, he is 3 for his last 28 with 12K, 0 BB, 1 R and 0 RBI. Woof! #Brewers pic.twitter.com/i2uBTFL1O0

— Tim Muma (@Tim_Muma) April 25, 2024

The 5’10 lefthanded hitter played 155 games for the University of Utah (2017-19), hitting .312 with seven home runs and 78 RBI. As a junior, Dunn hit .366 and reached base in nearly half of his plate appearances.

RELATED: Former Ute Oliver Dunn Has Memorable MLB Debut With Brewers

The New York Yankees selected Dunn in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB draft. Dunn spent 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He appeared in 119 games at Double-A Reading last season, slashing .271/.396/.506 while hitting 21 home runs.

Last 7 Games: .133 | 2 Hits | RBI | 8 Ks

2024 Stats: .203 BA | 12 Hits | HR | 2B | 3B | 5 RBI | 2 SB | 24 Ks | 2 BB

2023 Stats: .271 BA | 113 Hits | 21 HR | 78 RBI | 16 SB | 139 Ks | 82 BB

BYU Cougars (1)

Michael Rucker | Pitcher

MLB – Philadelphia Phillies

Rucker celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday, April 27.

Rucker has yet to debut for the Phillies after the 29-year-old righthander was placed in the 15-day IL with what the team has called ‘right-hand arterial vasospasms.’ On April 16, Michael Fisher with Fansided reported that Rucker had begun playing catch. Fisher reports that Rucker will likely start his season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley once he returns to the mound.

Philadelphia is 19-10 overall and 8-2 in its last ten games. The Phillies are second in the NL East behind the Atlanta Braves.

Please help us in wishing Michael Rucker a Happy Birthday!! #PSIFamily pic.twitter.com/UJnxJ6CNtx

— PSI Sports Management, Inc (@PSISports) April 28, 2024

Rucker spent two seasons in Cougar blue, finishing with a 16-2 record in 29 appearances (22 starts). As a junior, he went 11-1 in 102.1 innings with a 2.73 ERA. The Chicago Cubs selected Rucker in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB draft.

RELATED: Former BYU Hurler Trading Cubs Pinstripes For Phillies Phanatics

2024 Stats: N/A

Career Stats: 3 Yrs | 96 appearances | 5-2 | 4.91 ERA | 123.1 IP | 120 Ks | 50 BB | 1.39 WHIP

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies, Locals in MLB, and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees, Beehive baseball, and Aggie athletics coverage here.

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