Kody Funderburk #53

Kody Leigh Funderburk...X: @KodyFunderburk...Instagram: @kodyfunderburk...married his wife, Alicia, on Jan. 6, 2023...Alicia is a physician assistant...was a four-year letterman at Queen Creek High School...held the school's all-time RBI record (77)...began his college career at Mesa Community College in his native Arizona, where he was a pitcher and infielder...was named a NJCAA Division II First Team All-American, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region selection in 2017 after leading the Thunderbirds in batting average (.400), home runs (eight), RBI (55), slugging percentage (.651) and on-base percentage (.504)...also made eight appearances, including three starts on the mound and struck out 16 batters in 12.2 innings...played one season at Dallas Baptist University (2018), going 1-3, 6.84 ERA (50.0 IP, 38 ER) with 31 walks and 53 strikeouts in 15 appearances (14 starts)...also posted .313 batting average (63-for-201) with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 47 RBI, 43 walks, a .434 on-base percentage and a .597 slugging percentage in 59 games for the Patriots...majored in Psychology...attended Twins Winter Caravan in 2024 with Nick Gordon, Glen Perkins and Kris Atteberry, visiting Sioux Falls, S.D.; Watertown, S.D.; Fargo, N.D....attended 2024 and '25 TwinsFest at Target Field.

2024

Made Twins Opening Day roster, the first of his career...Appeared in 11 games to begin the season, including a season-long six-straight games without allowing an earned run from April 4-19...Optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on May 1 as club had need for fresh arm (Caleb Boushley contract selected)...Recalled by Minnesota on May 3 and optioned back to St. Paul on May 27...Pitched in seven games for St. Paul from May 30-June 19, posting a 1.13 ERA (8.0 IP, 1 ER) with four walks and 14 strikeouts...Set career high with four strikeouts on June 27 at Arizona (2.0 IP)...Placed on 15-day Injured List on July 21 with a left oblique strain...transferred to 60-day IL on September 5, making room on 40-man roster for outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr...Pitched in four games on rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul...stayed in St. Paul after conclusion of Saints' season and continued workouts to be ready for major league club in final week of Twins' season...Reinstated by Twins on September 27...made one appearance and optioned September 28...Struck out at least one batter in 20 of 27 appearances on season and multiple batters nine times.

2023

Made five appearances for the Wind Surge from April 6-22 before being promoted to Triple-A St. Paul on April 27...2023 marked first professional season in which he switched from starter to full-time reliever...Reached Minor League season-high five strikeouts twice (April 22 at Tulsa with Wichita and August 2 at Columbus with St. Paul)...Finished Triple-A season ranking tied for third on Saints' staff in games (37)...Also led the staff in WHIP (1.06) and strikeouts-per-9.0 IP (13.0) among players with a minimum of 40.0 innings pitched...Made 37 appearances for the Saints before having his contract selected on Aug. 28...Named International League All-Star after season...Made his Major League debut on Aug. 28 vs. Cleveland, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings with a season-high three strikeouts earning the win in a 10-6 Twins victory...Earned first Major League strikeout, fanning Ramón Laureano...Became the first Twins pitcher to earn a win in his Major League debut since Fernando Romero (start) on May 2, 2018 and the first to do so in relief since Todd Ritchie on April 3, 1997...Also became the second pitcher in Twins history to earn the win in a hitless Major League debut (Bill Plies - game two of a doubleheader on April 16, 1961)...Posted an ERA of 1.25 (36.0 IP, 5 ER) with a .139 opponent batting average in final 26 games between St. Paul and Minnesota combined from July 3-Oct. 1...10 of 11 appearances for Twins were scoreless, including each of his last nine - all in Sept. (9.2 IP)...Combined to go 7-1, 2.10 ERA (73.0 IP, 17 ER) with 32 walks, 109 strikeouts and a .184 opponent batting average in 53 games between Double-A Wichita, Triple-A St. Paul and Minnesota...Held right-handed batters to a .175 average and left-handed batters to a .200 average...Ranked as 24th best prospect in Twins organization by Baseball America entering 2024.