Former Okotoks Dawg Funderburk called up by Twins

Former Okotoks Dawgs left-hander Kody Funderburk has been called up by the Minnesota Twins. Photo: Okotoks Dawgs

August 28, 2023

Official Minnesota Twins News Release

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that they have selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Kody Funderburk from triple-A St. Paul.

Funderburk, 26, has appeared in 37 games for the Saints this season, going 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA (52.0 IP, 15 ER), 21 walks, 75 strikeouts, a 1.06 WHIP, a .183 opponent batting average and a 13.0 strikeouts-per-9.0 innings pitched ratio.

In his last 15 games for the Saints, Funderburk has gone 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA (24.0 IP, 4 ER), four saves, eight walks, 33 strikeouts and a .136 opponent batting average.

The Mesa, Ariz., native was selected by the Twins in the 15th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Dallas Baptist University and has spent parts of five seasons in the Twins minor league system, going 22-13 with a 3.20 ERA (323 IP, 115 ER), 10 saves, 140 walks, 363 strikeouts and a 1.30 WHIP in 115 games (48 starts). Funderburk will wear uniform No. 55.

CBN Editor’s Note: Funderburk was a first baseman/left-handed pitcher with the Okotoks Dawgs of the Western Canadian Baseball League in 2017. He was named the league’s MVP after he topped the circuit in home runs (15) and RBIs (55) while hitting .339.

To make room for Funderburk on the 26-man roster, the Twins have optioned right-handed pitcher Bailey Ober to St. Paul. In 22 starts for the Twins this season, Ober went 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA (122.2 IP, 50 ER), 26 walks, 120 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins have transferred right-handed pitcher Oliver Ortega to the 60-day Injured List. Ortega was originally placed on the IL on August 24 (retroactive to August 23) with a left lumbar strain.