Who Breaks Out For The Twins?

Reliever: Nick Burdi

I’m not ready to project exactly when he breaks into the big leagues, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that it’s coming in 2015. Casey Fien and Glen Perkins have been solid and will continue to lock down the 8th and 9th innings for the Twins. However, Burdi would prove to be a valuable asset in the 7th inning and could be a strong back-end option for the Twins. Much like the Royals did with Brandon Finnegan a season ago, Burdi should be accelerated through the system.

Owning a 2.66 ERA in his first professional season, Burdi has been virtually unhittable outside of his first start at Cedar Rapids. His 16.8 K/9 mark would be an immediate boost to the Twins bullpen, and he has the stuff to blow it by major league hitters. He should probably start the season in Fort Myers, but expecting him to surface before the end of the summer is not unrealistic. After being called up last season, Finnegan posted a 1.29 ERA and 12.9 K/9 for the Royals in seven games, Burdi could replicate that.