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The Holland Sentinel
Reds call up Blake Dunn; Holland native makes major-league debut
- Story byThe Holland Sentinel
- Reds call up Blake Dunn; Holland native makes major-league debut
When Blake Dunn stepped to the plate, his face appeared on the giant scoreboard in left field.
After three seasons in the minor leagues, the Holland native was a major leaguer - a Cincinnati Red.
More: Despite stellar play, Blake Dunn sent to Reds minor league spring training camp
Blake Dunn was called up to the major leagues.
Dunn, a Saugatuck High School graduate, grounded into a double play in the second inning at Colorado , but it was a start.
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He was determined not to let that happen again.
His next time up, he looked to hit into another double play, but he hustled down the line with everything he had and was safe at first. It was one of the pivotal points in the game as, instead of the inning being over, two Reds singled with two outs, scoring two - including Dunn - his first major league run.
He finished 0-for-2 against Rockies pitcher Ty Blach , with a run scored and was taken out for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning of the Reds' 4-1 win over Colorado.
"It's just something that is so surreal in the moment. You just can't even really describe it. You're just so happy that all the work that us, as players, that we put in to get to this moment and being able to feel that moment and feel those feelings was really cool," Dunn told Bally Sports Ohio before the game. "Every opportunity for us is cherished as players. The fact that the Reds as a 15th [round draft pick] gave me the opportunity the last couple of years to keep going for my dream and believing in me, and giving me opportunities to play and being able to showcase what I can do on the field meant a lot, and I'm really happy that I'm able to go out on the biggest stage and play for the Reds."
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Dunn joins fellow Holland-area players such as George Zuverink, Andy VanHekken and Hall of Famer Jim Kaat, who played in the big leagues. Several others have played in the minor leagues, including current players Grant Wolfram and Chris Mokma.
Dunn, 25, was called up by the Reds earlier in the day Thursday and made the start in left field, batting eighth in the lineup. He made a prediction that he would be playing in Denver on his brother William's birthday
"We talked about this a few months ago, and I got a text from Blake that said it's my goal to be there on your birthday," William Dunn told Bally Sports Ohio's Jim Day during Tuesday's broadcast. "And I said I know you will be. … And here we are!"
He was drafted by Cincinnati in the 15th round of the 2021 draft out of Western Michigan University. Now his family got to see his first game as a major leaguer.
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"We are truly blessed to be here today to watch him on his debut on a major league field," Dunn's father, Bill Dunn told Day.
"Awesome," mom Beverly said on the broadcast. "Absolutely awesome."
In Triple-A, Dunn was batting .223 but had an on-base percentage of .348 in 44 games with Louisville this season. He has four home runs and 22 RBIs with 29 runs scored.
Dunn played in four games with Cincinnati during Spring Training and was 4-for-6 with a double, an RBI a run scored, two walks and a stolen base. He was batting .667 with an on-base percentage of .750.
During his four seasons in the minors combined, he batted .287 with 21 home runs, 123 RBIs, 161 runs scored and 88 stolen bases in 740 at bats.
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Contact sports editor Dan D'Addona at Dan.D'Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSport s.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Reds call up Blake Dunn; Holland native makes major-league debut
