Bryce Bonnin named Low-A Southeast Pitcher of the Month for July

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Minor League Baseball announced on Wednesday that Daytona Tortugas RHP Bryce Bonnin has been named the Low-A Southeast Pitcher of the Month for July. The 22-year-old is the second Daytona pitcher to be honored with the award this season, joining RHP James Proctor who was bestowed with the recognition in May. Bonnin is just the third Tortugas player to receive an end-of-the-month award, as he and Proctor join 2B Shed Long Jr. who was named Florida State League Player of the Month in May of 2017.

After spending the first two months of the season on the injured list, Bonnin was reinstated on July 7 and made his debut with a flourish. The Baytown, Texas native made his maiden Tortugas start in game one of a doubleheader on July 7 and retired all 15 batters he faced, striking out 11, to earn his first professional victory.

The 11 strikeouts are tied for the most by a Daytona pitcher this season and the second-most in a single game since the franchise rebranded prior to the 2015 season. LHP Amir Garrett whiffed 12 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on May 30, 2015, against the Clearwater Threshers.

Overall, in four starts during July, Bonnin tallied a 3-0 record with a 0.95 ERA (2 ER in 19.0 IP). The former Texas Tech Red Raider allowed only seven hits and three walks in addition to striking out 30 hitters and accumulating an eye-popping 14.21 strikeouts-per-nine ratio.

In July, Bonnin was tied for third among Low-A Southeast pitchers in wins (3) and tied for fourth in strikeouts (30). Overall, among arms with at least 19.0 innings pitched in the circuit this season, Bonnin has the best WHIP (0.53), strikeout percentage (45.5%), strikeout-to-walk percentage (40.9%), FIP (1.12), and xFIP (2.13). The right-hander is also second in batting average against (.111), fourth in walk percentage (4.5%), fifth in BABIP (.212), and ninth in strikeouts-per-nine (14.21).

Bonnin is in his first professional season and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the third round (84th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Texas Tech University.

Looking to even the series against Lakeland on Wednesday, the Tortugas are expected to hand the ball to RHP Jason Parker (3-1, 3.92). The Flying Tigers are projected to counter with RHP Joseph Salazar (1-5, 7.43). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Joker Marchant Stadium.

Daytona will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, August 10, to open up a six-contest homestand against the Jupiter Hammerheads, Low-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. It will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging, as Daytona players and coaches will don special pink-tinted uniforms to mark the occasion. Silver Sluggers Night — the best club in baseball for fans 60-and-over — presented by Conviva Cares Solutions will also be a part of the festivities. Fans can get in on deals at the concession stand with $2.50 Michelob Ultra draft beers.

Season tickets, multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.

ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Low-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Low-A Southeast. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.