Minnesota’s Closer of the Future Comes in at Number Nine on Our List
Many had hoped that 2016 would be the year the Twins would be highlighting their top prospects in all three phases of the game: Position player (Byron Buxton), starting pitcher (Jose Berrios), and reliever (Nick Burdi).
Buxton struggled out of the gate, going back down to AAA, before showing fans in September what all the hype surrounding him was all about.
Berrios had a breakout game against Houston, out-dueling defending A.L. Cy Young award-winner Dallas Keuchel in Keuchel’s home park
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Burdi, who most pegged as MLB-ready coming out of college, suffered a bone bruise near his pitching elbow that sidelined him for nearly all of the 2016 season.
But now Burdi is healthy once again, ready to prove that he too can live up to the hype. In the one and a half years he has pitched in minors, Burdi has posted staggering strikeout totals.
While he has had occasional trouble with his control, he’s been able to wiggle out of most jams with his near-triple digit fastball, and a wipeout slider clocked in the mid-90s.
#9 – Nick Burdi
Name: Nick Burdi
Position: P Age: 24
Height: 6’5” Weight: 215 lbs.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Acquired: 46th overall in the second round of the 2014 amateur draft
Burdi was peeved (to put it nicely) that he slipped into the second round of the 2014 draft. Scouts had promised a bright future for the fireballing righty, with predictions that Burdi would be the first to ascend to the majors – regardless of which team selected him.
Once he was drafted by Minnesota, he was already the second-best reliever in the Twins’ organization, behind only All-Star Glen Perkins.
In the half season after being drafted, Burdi did not disappoint. He threw just 20.1 innings (in 20 appearances), but struck out nearly twice as many batters (38) as innings pitched.
His eight walks in only 13 innings pitched in Cedar Rapids was one negative in his first professional season.
The other was his batting average on balls hit into play (BABIP). If he wasn’t striking out hitters, they were making contact, and getting on base. A staggeringly-high .390 BABIP was a head-scratcher for his coaches.
Was is Burdi giving in when behind in the count, worried about walks? Was is luck? Against better competition in the Arizona Fall League, Burdi blew away everyone.
In eight innings, he allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out 11. His star burned bright once again.
The next year, splitting time between advanced-A Ft. Myers and AA Chattanooga, Burdi looked once again the dominant reliever after a slow start. With the Miracle, Burdi continued his high strikeout totals (13.1/9 IP), while lowering his walk totals (1.35/9 IP).
In AA, Burdi’s walk totals rose (6.6/9), but the strikeouts kept coming (11.13/9). His BABIP at both levels were closer to the league average, dropping as low as .275 with the Miracle.
That season was enough for the Twins to invite Burdi to the following Spring Training. In April, Burdi suffered the injury, shutting down his 2016 season.
Now healthy, Burdi has fallen behind J.T. Chargois as the heir-apparent to Perkins. Chargois struggled in his first few appearances as a Twin, before showing his promise. After getting rocked his first time out against Boston, Chargois had an unsteady August.
But in September, Chargois only allowed one earned run in his last 12 appearances, striking out nine and walking only two.
With doubt surrounding Perkins’ health, the Twins will take a good look at both Chargois and Burdi this Spring in late inning, high-leverage situations. Both throw hard, and both have had their struggles with walks.
If Chargois struggles early in March, Burdi will get his chance. After seeing Chargois last year, I am of the theory that 2016 is Chargois’ breakout year in the majors. That will allow Burdi to mature one more year, this time at AAA Rochester.
Next: Top 10 Twins Prospects: #10 Aldaberto Mejia
Notes: Spring Training is upon us! Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow morning at the Centurylink Sports Complex in Ft. Myers, FL.