Article: TD Top Prospects: #10 Nick Burdi

[highlander]

Gets the juices flowing thinking about all the prospect's on the brink of the big club!

[Seth Stohs]

Examples of players who could hide command issues in low-levels is as old as the minor leagues. Well, the modern minor leagues (Rookie leagues through AAA).

 

Shooter Hunt is a perfect example of one for the Twins. Billy Bullock is another. If I spent time looking I'd probably find at least 20 others for the Twins... In just the past 10 years...

 

If you're at all into reading sites like Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America, etc... which focus on the minor leagues, you will have read at some point a statement along the lines of: "[so and so] has a ceiling of a [whatever], but could also end up a AA-command flameout." It is very much a thing.

 

I don't think Shooter Hunt is a good example just because Steve Blass Disease isn't even really about control, it's about so much more.

 

Bullock is a good example. I always figure you can count on a pitcher's walk rate going up 15-20% as he moves up each level just  because hitters are smarter about the strike zone. Just a rough number, but something. 

[Thrylos]

Burdi is the Twins best RHRP in any level in the organization.

Disappointed that he did not receive an MLB ST invitation, because the pen is really hurting at this point...

[mnfireman]

I can see Burdi as a mid to late-season call-up. Let him get his feet wet, no pressure situations, etc... Next year a chance at the seventh inning job, 2017 a shot at the eighth inning job, and 2018, if he's proved his mettle, the Twins decline Perkins' $6.5 M option and, BOOM, Burdi's the closer!

[DocBauer]

Saw him throw an inning in Cedar Rapids (along with a start from Lewis Thorpe) that I wrote about here.

 

He does have some form of a changeup, and it is inconsistent. But in that article I have video of a 3-pitch strikeout he had. The last pitch to the guy was one of the dirtiest changeup's I've ever seen. It dropped off the table and froze the hitter in almost comedic fashion to catch the outside corner for a looking K.

 

He may not need it, but it's a great extra weapon to have.

 

Agreed! I remember commenting when he was first drafted that if I were the Twins I'd continue to have him work on the pitch. Even if it's an average pitch, with his great and slider, it's overall effectiveness could be excellent. Your recount of the event mentioned is tantalizing!

[DocBauer]

I'm a huge optimist, but also a bit practical and reserved. But honestly, is there any real reason not to expect him at the ML level by the second half of the season?

[Seth Stohs]

I'm a huge optimist, but also a bit practical and reserved. But honestly, is there any real reason not to expect him at the ML level by the second half of the season?

 

There are plenty of potential real reasons that it won't happen, but I personally think he'll be up. 

[DocBauer]

Gets the juices flowing thinking about all the prospect's on the brink of the big club!

 

Burdi, Reed and Jones. May, Meyer and possibly Duffy and even Barrios all from the pitching portion of things. Rosario, Buxton, Sano and Polanco are all real candidates to make appearances.

 

Wow!

[mikelink45]

Put him in now.  KC showed that you do not need a lot of fancy secondary pitches when you come in with heat for an inning.  Why waste his non-TommyJohn years in the minors.  There is no teaching 97+ - just turn him loose.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi is the Twins best RHRP in any level in the organization.

Disappointed that he did not receive an MLB ST invitation, because the pen is really hurting at this point...

 

I'm of this thinking as well, but wouldn't quite put him past Glen Perkins just yet. Though I do think that is inevitable.

[Willihammer]

Put him in now.  KC showed that you do not need a lot of fancy secondary pitches when you come in with heat for an inning.  Why waste his non-TommyJohn years in the minors.  There is no teaching 97+ - just turn him loose.

What if he makes Duensing, Stauffer, et. look bad?

[twinsfanstreif]

I'm of this thinking as well, but wouldn't quite put him past Glen Perkins just yet. Though I do think that is inevitable.

 

He said RHRP, Perkins is a lefty

[tobi0040]

What if he makes Duensing, Stauffer, et. look bad?

 

If?

[Seth Stohs]

If?

 

Both have good track records of success and are still in their early-30s. They should be fine... they could both possibly be traded in July too. 

[tobi0040]

Both have good track records of success and are still in their early-30s. They should be fine... they could both possibly be traded in July too. 

 

Right, but I would expect Meyer to be better then both of them.

[Seth Stohs]

Right, but I would expect Meyer to be better then both of them.

 

At some point in time, he certainly should/could be.

[Steve Lein]

He said RHRP, Perkins is a lefty.

 

Nice catch. My line of thinking still applies!