Position: RH SP
Born: 12/20/1994
Ht: 6’4″ Wt: 200 lb
Acquired: Received from Washington in the Adam Eaton trade, 12/7/2016
Career Stats
FutureSox Prospect Rankings
- #10 – 2017 Preseason
- #11 – 2017 Midseason
- #7 – 2018 Preseason
- #7 – 2018 Midseason
- #6 – 2019 Preseason
- #6 – 2019 Midseason
- #5 – 2020 Preseason
- #7 – 2020 Midseason
FutureSox Media
- Write-up of trade with Nationals, Dec. 2016
- News of elbow injury, March 2019
- Exclusive FutureSox interview, Aug. 2020
- Story on Dunning’s MLB call-up, Aug. 2020
- Dunning impresses in MLB debut before tiring, Aug. 2020
- Dunning pitches five no-hit innings for White Sox, Aug. 2020
- 2020 rookie season review, Oct. 2020
- Lance Lynn trade story, Dec. 2020
- All FutureSox articles tagged Dane Dunning
Accolades
- Southern League All-Star, 2018 Midseason
Scouting Report
Dunning was a starter at the University of Florida as a sophomore, but moved to the bullpen for the 2016 season due to the glut of available starters in a loaded rotation. He was very effective in that role, striking out 88 batters with just 12 walks while posting a 2.29 ERA over 78.2 innings. That was enough for the Nationals to select him 29th overall and immediately make him a starter.
In his pro debut, Dunning overwhelmed Low-A hitters with a 2.02 ERA over 33.2 innings, striking out 29 and only walking 7. The White Sox acquired him the following offseason. In 2017 with his new organization, Dunning was nearly unhittable in four starts with Low-A Kannapolis and was quickly promoted to High-A Winston-Salem, where he posted more strong numbers (3.51 ERA, 2.7 BB/9. 10.3 K/9).
The year after followed a similar pattern. He had four dominant starts, this time back with Winston-Salem, before being promoted to Double-A Birmingham, where he showed well again. Unfortunately, after 11 solid starts in Double-A (2.76 ERA, 3.3 BB/9, 10.0 K/9), Dunning went down with an elbow sprain and missed the remainder of the season.
He had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and returned to full health just in time for the delayed start of the 2020 season. Dunning got called up to join the White Sox in a playoff push in August. He posted a 3.97 ERA in seven starts with 35 strikeouts and 13 walks in 34 innings.
His fastball 92-93 mph, but can run up to 95 on occasion with good downhill plane. Dunning’s best breaking ball has generally been an above average mid-80s slider that has good break and tilt. Dunning’s changeup is below average, but enough to keep hitters off balance. That curveball has made a return to his repertoire as well, specifically a spike variety, and it is effective enough to use as a fourth offering. He has good command of his stuff, which makes his overall decent arsenal play up.
Major League Outlook: No. 3/4 starter
ETA: 2020