Nick Burdi - 2015

[Steve Lein]

In the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft, the Minnesota Twins selected arguably the most dominant reliever among all of the college ranks, closer Nick Burdi out of Louisville.

 

This was the second time the Twins had drafted him, as they selected him in the 24th round out of high school, but he obviously declined and went on to participate in multiple College World Series' with the Cardinals.

 

Burdi's arsenal includes 100+MPH heat, and a 90+MPH wipeout slider that proved lethal against collegiate competition. He can also mix in a form of change-up that can be wicked as well, but doesn't control it particularly well and could also be considered unnecessary with the other pitches he has in his arsenal.

 

After his full season debut in 2014, in which he walked all four batters he faced, he went on to prove dominant in his last 19 games (13 total with Cedar Rapids, 7 with Fort Myers) of the year.

 

In those games he pitched 20.1 innings, allowed just 13 hits and 6 walks, while striking out 39 (16.8 K's/9IP) and picking up 5 saves.

 

He begins the season in the AA Chattanooga Lookouts bullpen, and if he continues the dominance he displayed at  the low-levels, you could see him at Target Field this summer.

 

Measurables: 22 years old, 6'5", 215 Lbs. Right-handed.

 

Scouting Grades:

MLB.com: Fastball: 80 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 |

 

Twitter: @NickyBurdi19

[Steve Lein]

Burdi's 2015 season started out much like his professional debut, as he ran into trouble in the 9th inning when called upon for the save in last Thursday's Lookouts season opener.

 

He walked the first two batters he faced, then gave up a single to load the bases. He also showed what gets fans excited about him by striking out the next two batters. But his control would disappear again, walking the next two hitters that resulted in Chattanooga's lead being cut to 3-2 before being replaced by Cole Johnson. A bloop single then brought in two runs, both charged to Burdi, and Chattanooga lost 4-3.

 

In Saturday's game, Burdi again came in for a save opportunity, this time with a two-run lead. He retired the first two batters he faced, one via strikeout, before again walking the next two. A single would cut the lead to 4-3 before he recorded his first save of 2015 with another strikeout.

 

Season Totals (2 games): 1.2 IP, 1 Save, 5 ER's on 2 hits and 6 walks, with 4 K's.

 

[h2oface]

Ouch. Not the start I, and the rest of Twins Territory, was hoping for out of Burdi. 

[Steve Lein]

Burdi has pitched just once in the past 10 days, but it was a two inning appearance on April 17th against the Birmingham Barons.

 

He was charged with the loss after allowing one run (unearned) on one hit and one walk, while striking out two. The run scored on a play where both Miguel Sano and Dalton Hicks each committed a throwing error.

 

Season Totals (3 games): 0-2, 3.2 IP, 1 Save, 5 ER's on 3 hits and 7 walks, with 6 K's.

[Steve Lein]

Since the last update, Burdi has made 5 appearances for the Lookouts and allowed zero runs in two of them, two earned runs in two of them, and one earned run in the other to place his season ERA at an even 10.00.

 

In those 5 appearances he pitched 5.1 innings, allowing the five runs on 8 hits and five walks, while striking out just 3. He did pick up two wins in the process however, and his record stands at 2-3 on the year while Zack Jones has assumed the primary closer duties for the Lookouts.

 

Season Totals (8 games): 2-3, 9.0 IP, 1 Save, 10 ER's on 11 hits and 12 walks, with 9 K's.

[Steve Lein]

In the past 7 days, Nick Burdi has made two scoreless appearances to lower his ERA to 7.5 on the season.

 

On May 7th against Jackson, he pitched a clean 9th inning in a 10-4 Lookouts win, striking out the third batter of the inning and final hitter of the game.

 

On May 10th against Jackson, Burdi pitched two innings, the eighth and ninth of a 16-3 blowout win. He allowed a double in between a strikeout and two groundouts in the eighth, and a double and walk in between two strikeouts and a groundout in the ninth. He ran his pitch count up to 40 pitches, with 21 of them going for strikes.

 

So 3.0 IP, 2 H's, 1 BB, and 4 K's in the last week. Hopefully it's a sign he's turning the corner!

 

Season Totals (10 games): 2-3, 7.50 ERA, 12.0 IP, 1 Save, 10 ER's on 13 hits and 13 walks, with 13 K's.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi has continued to lower his ERA in the last week, and continues to throw multiple innings.

 

On May 15th against Birmingham Barons, he picked up his third win of the season when he pitched the 8th and 9th innings of a game that would go 10.

 

It didn't start great however, as the first batter he faced, White Sox prospect Courtney Hawkins, got beaned and left the game with a head injury (Ouch!...Hawkins was back the next night). Burdi then walked the next batter, and got a free out on a sac bunt to put the runners on second and third. He then got a strikeout and pop-out to end the threat.

 

In the ninth inning, a leadoff double, sac bunt, and single scored the games tying run, but he would get another strikeout and fly out to end his night. Chattanooga scored two runs in the top of the tenth, which put him in line for that third win.

 

On May 18th against the Montgomery Biscuits, Burdi again pitched two innings, the 6th and the 7th, in relief of Jose Berrios.

 

He went one-two-three in the sixth with one strikeout, and if not for an error leading of the seventh, would have done the same n that frame. He got a groundout for the innings first out, then struck out the next two batters.

 

So, since the last update, that's 4.0 IP, with 1 run allowed on 2 hits and 1 walk and 1 hit batter, while striking out 5. His ERA is now down to 6.19.

 

Season Totals (12 games): 3-3, 6.19 ERA, 16.0 IP, 1 Save, 11 ER's on 15 hits and 14 walks, with 18 K's.

 

[Steve Lein]

Since the last update, Burdi has made only one appearance, on May 22nd vs. the Mobile BayBears.

 

He worked the fourth and fifth innings of a 7-inning game as part of a double-header.

 

He gave up four hits, but all we're singles, and three of them of the ground-ball variety. He struck out the last two batters he faced in the fifth inning and did not allow a run on the game.

 

Chattanooga would lose the game 7-2, but Burdi did not factor in the decision.

 

Season Totals (13 games): 3-3, 5.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 1 Save, 11 ER's on 19 hits and 14 walks, with 20 K's.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi has pitched in three games since the last update, totaling 5.1 IP and has lowered his ERA to nearly under 5.00 on the season.

 

He pitched 1.1 innings against Biloxi on May 27th, allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He struck out 1.

 

On May 30th, also against Biloxi, he went 2.0 innings and allowed two hits and a walk, but no runs. He struck out 3.

 

This afternoon against the Tennessee Smokies, Burdi relieved Jose Berrios and pitched the seventh and eighth innings. He struck out the first batter he faced, but then a walk and wild pitch put a runner on second base for Top Prospect Kyle Schwarber. He singled in a run before Burdi escaped.

 

In the eighth, he allowed a single but also got three ground ball outs to end his day.

 

So that was one run on two hits and a walk, with 1 K.

 

Season Totals (13 games): 3-3, 5.01 ERA, 23.1 IP, 1 Save, 13 ER's on 25 hits and 16 walks, with 25 K's.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi had been well on his way to normalizing his numbers this season since the last update, appearing in 3 more games and 4 more innings of scoreless baseball. In a two-inning appearance on 6/10, he struck out four. In those 4 innings total, he struck out 6, and allowed just 1 hit and 2 walks.

 

That lowered his season ERA to 4.28, and it had been 1.76 over his past 9 appearances and 15.1 innings.

 

Then yesterday's game happened.

 

Burdi wasn't able to record an out after entering the game in the 7th inning in relief of starter Brett Lee who had put runners on fist and second base with singles.

 

Burdi was greeted by a double to allow both inherited runners to score, then a sequence of single, walk, single, walk scored two runs and left the bases loaded for Jake Reed. After a strikeout, a grand slam would tack on 3 more runs to Burdi's line for the night.

 

0 IP, 3 H's, 2 BB, 5 ER's.

 

This bloated his season ERA back up to 5.93.

 

Season Totals (20 games): 3-4, 5.93 ERA, 27.1 IP, 1 Save, 18 ER's on 30 hits and 19 walks, with 31 K's.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi has appeared in two more games since the last update, and like his season on the whole, were up and down.

 

On June 20th against Jacksonville, he picked up a hold after walking the leadoff hitter. He stole second base and reached third on a throwing error from catcher Stuart Turner. He would retire the next three, but a sac fly brought in the unearned run.

 

On June 25th vs. the Montgomery Biscuits, Burdi went two innings. A walk, single, and sac fly scored one in his first inning. He'd walk another hitter but escaped with no more damage. In his second inning, he was greeted with a solo home run, but retired the next two hitters, including two strikeouts.

 

Season Totals (20 games): 3-4, 5.93 ERA, 30.1 IP, 1 Save, 5 Holds, 20 ER's on 32 hits and 22 walks, with 33 K's.

[Steve Lein]

With his struggles continuing in AA this season, the Twins assigned Burdi back to Fort Myers on Tuesday to try and find his groove again.

 

In 2014, Burdi pitched in 10 games with the Miracle at the end of the season and into the playoffs. In 12.2 innings, he allowed just 8 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 20.

 

Hopefully it's a short stay!

[Mike Sixel]

So much for "near major league ready"........hopefully he figures things out.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi has pitched in two games since his demotion to the Fort Myers Miracle, throwing two innings on July 2nd against the Palm Beach Cardinals, and one inning to pick up a save on July 5th against the St. Lucie Mets.

 

Against the Cardinals, he pitched the sixth and seventh innings, retiring all six batters he faced, four of them via strikeout.

 

Against the Mets, he got the ninth inning. He struck out the first batter he faced, but then surrendered a single. In a twist of good luck, the next batter roped a line drive down the left field line that would have easily scored the game's tying run, but it bounced into the stands for a ground-rule double, and the runner was kept at third base. He then got a ground ball to a drawn in shortstop, and ended the game with a fly out for the save.

 

For comparative sake, I'm going to reset his "season total" stats to his Florida State League Totals.

 

Season Totals (2 games): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.0 IP, 1 Save, 0 R's on 2 hits and 0 BB's, with 5 K's.

[Kwak]

He has BUST tatooed on his forehead.

[Steve Lein]

 

He has BUST tatooed on his forehead.

 

Quite harsh, considering he's been in the system for barely over a single year.

 

I still maintain he will be the next Twins closer, after Glen Perkins is done. He has stuff, closer type makeup, and competitiveness for the job. But he is still learning.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi has added two more appearances with Fort Myers since the last update.

 

Versus the Jupiter HammerHeads on July 8th, he pitched the final two innings and notched his second save with the Miracle.

 

He had a one-two-three eighth inning, but ran into a little trouble in the ninth with the two-run lead.

 

He recorded the first out with a looking strikeout, but consecutive singles and a throwing error on the second from from shortstop Engelb Vielma put the tying runners on second and third. Vielma was replaced immediately after the play due to injury and was placed on the 7-day disabled list.

 

Jupiter would get one unearned run on a sac fly, before Burdi struck out the last hitter of the game for the save.

 

On July 12th, Burdi again pitched two innings against the Clearwater Threshers.

 

He entered the game to replace starter Stephen Gonsalves in the sixth inning, who had loaded the bases with two singles and an error on a groundball.

 

He struck out the first two hitters he faced, and got a pop-out to escape the jam with no damage to Gonsalves' pitching line.

 

In the seventh, Burdi retired the order one-two-three, striking out the first batter of the inning.

 

He has not allowed an earned run since his placement on Fort Myers, and has a fantastic WHIP of 0.57 thus far back in the FSL.

 

Season Totals FSL (4 games): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 IP, 2 Saves, 0 ER's on 4 hits and 0 BB's, with 10 K's.

[jokin]

So far, so good.  I hope one or two more appearances like these two are enough of a springboard to get him back to Chattanooga, and on track for call-up considerations. 

[Mike Sixel]

IMO, his stuff is too much for this level.......

[Steve Lein]

Rumor has it they had attempted overhauling his mechanics this year, and I think this had a direct effect. I know you can always tweak things to try and see some improvements, but I think it's often overlooked that a guys existing mechanics were developed over years of playing baseball. Guys settle into what is comfortable for them, and often times that is where you're going to get the best results. I'm hoping they tried tinkering too much and he'll get back on track if he just goes out and keeps pitching again like he knows how.

 

Anyway, on to the update!

 

Burdi has made three appearances for the Miracle since the last update.

 

In a 12-1 blowout win for the Miracle on July 17th, Burdi pitched a one-two-three 9th inning, striking out two.

 

On July 19th, Burdi saw his first struggles and first run(s) given up back in the Florida State League. He pitched the sixth and seventh innings in relief of Stephen Gonsalves. He gave up a solo home run in the sixth, but retired the three other hitters faced including a strikeout. In the seventh inning, A single turned into an easy RBI after a balk and wild pitch put the runner on third base, who scored on a sac fly. Burdi finished the seventh with no other damage. Two runs on Two Hits with one K for the game.

 

In yesterday's (July 21st) 16-inning affair, Burdi came on to relieve Dallas Gallant in the top of the 12th with one out and a runner on second base. Burdi struck out both hitters to escape the inning with the game still tied. Burdi would come back out for the 13th inning, and retired the side in order. 1.2 innings with 2 K's.

 

Season Totals FSL (4 games): 0-0, 1.54 ERA, 11.2 IP, 2 Saves, 2 ER's on 6 hits and 0 BB's, with 15 K's.

[Mike Sixel]

A ball players can't hit his stuff.......is this just about confidence building?

[Steve Lein]

 

A ball players can't hit his stuff.......is this just about confidence building?

 

Probably very likely.

[Steve Lein]

Since the last update, Burdi has made two appearances. Although he's surrendered some contact, he also held the teams scoreless.

 

On July 23rd against the Tampa Yankees, Burdi entered the game for Mat Batts in the sixth inning. There was a runner on base, and with Burdi on the mound he reached third. A wild pitch from Burdi allowed him to score. The run was charged to Batts, and Burdi got hit with a blown save.

 

But Burdi came back out for the seventh inning, and alternated singles and strikeouts to put two runners on base with two outs. Another wild pitch moved them to second and third, but he then got a groundout to escape the jam. In the Top of the inning, the Miracle scored two runs to put them out front 7-3, and Burdi then picked up the win.

 

On July 28th against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Burdi pitched the eighth and ninth innings to finish the game after Dallas Gallant had lost the lead for the Miracle in the seventh. Burdi allowed a single in each inning, and also collected a strikeout in each inning.

 

The Miracle's Zach Granite drove in Pinch Runner Tanner Vavra in the ninth for the walk-off victory, and added another win to Burdi's line.

 

On the extremely positive front (knocking on wood), Burdi has yet to walk a single batter back in the Florida State League.

 

Season Totals FSL (9 games): 2-1, 1.17 ERA, 15.1 IP, 2 Saves, 2 ER's on 10 hits and 0 BB's, with 20 K's.

[drjim]

A 20/0 k/bb ratio in 15.1 ip will play. But of course he should be at AA at least.

[Steve Lein]

It's been a while since the last update! Things happen when you're traveling for work!

 

Anyway, since the last update, a lot has happened with Burdi, and mostly positive things.

 

He made 5 more appearances with the Miracle, and then was promoted back to the Chattanooga Lookouts.

 

In his first appearance back in AA, Burdi pitched two scoreless innings, striking out five. He allowed one hit.

 

He had a bit more trouble in his second game, going 1.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks. The two runs came on a home run to third batter he faced. In his second inning, he loaded the bases with two outs before being replaced. He also struck out two.

 

There's no reason for Burdi to ever go back to the FSL, so it's time for him to develop further against the stiffer competition of AA.

 

Season Totals FSL (13 games): 2-2, 2.25 ERA, 20.0 IP, 4 Saves, 5 ER's on 12 hits and 3 BB's, with 29 K's.

 

Season Totals Southern League (24 games): 3-4, 5.82 ERA, 34.0 IP, 1 Save, 22 ER's on 36 H's and 24 BB's, with 40 K's.

 

Since returning (2 games): 0-0, 4.90 ERA, 3.2 IP, 2 ER's on 4 H's and 2 BB's, with 7 K's.

[Steve Lein]

Since the last update Burdi has made three more appearances with Chattanooga.

 

All three appearances have been of the scoreless variety.

 

On August 21st, he went two innings, walking three and striking out three in the process.

 

On August 26th, he walked one and allowed two hits in two innings, while striking out three more.

 

On August 28th, Burdi went 2.2 innings to pick up a save, allowing no hits but walking two, and striking out two.

 

That's 6.2 innings in his last 3 appearances, allowing two hits and walking six, while striking out eight.

 

The walks have still been troublesome in AA, but Burdi has been escaping jams by limiting the contact against him and has lowered his ERA in the Southern League by nearly a run since the last update.

 

Season Totals FSL (13 games): 2-2, 2.25 ERA, 20.0 IP, 4 Saves, 5 ER's on 12 hits and 3 BB's, with 29 K's.

 

Season Totals Southern League (27 games): 3-4, 4.87 ERA, 40.2 IP, 2 Saves, 22 ER's on 38 H's and 30 BB's, with 48 K's.

 

Since returning to AA (5 games): 0-0, 1 save, 1.74 ERA, 10.1 IP, 2 ER's on 6 H's and 8 BB's, with 15 K's.

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I wonder if this guy is quietly becoming dominant. Two more appearances since the last update (sorry I'm stepping on your touchdown call Steve Lein)

 

In 2 games, 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 2 walks, 5 Strikeouts. (Two balls put in play.)

 

Obviously there's a less than < 1 percent chance he will be called up, but a guy can dream. If he seems more confident. I wonder if he would carry that confidence with him to the big league mound in a pennant race.

[Steve Lein]

Burdi pitched in three games since the last update to finish off his and the Chattanooga Lookouts regular season.

 

On September 1st against the Birmingham Barons, he had an interesting, but scoreless inning. The leadoff batter singled, and he followed that with a strikeout. The next batter drew a walk, and then he struck out another. Another walk followed to load the bases, but (you guessed it) Burdi struck out the last to end the inning.

 

On September 4th against the Jackson Generals, it was much smoother. In an 8-2 game, Burdi came on for the ninth inning. It went one-two-three, and he picked up 2 K's along the way.

 

Against Jackson again on September 7th, Burdi pitched the 7th inning. A one-out triple led to an unearned run after a throwing error from the third baseman. He finished the inning without any further damage, and added another strikeout.

 

As you know, the Lookouts are in the Southern League Playoff's, and Burdi picked up the win in their walk-off win yesterday against the Montgomery Biscuits by pitching the final 1.1 innings. With a man on in the eighth, Burdi came in with two outs and shut the door with a strikeout. In the ninth, he walked the leadoff man but then induced a double play ball. He struck out the next batter, but the pitch was dropped and subsequently tossed into right field for an error and free out for the Biscuits. The next batter singled to put a runner in scoring position, but Burdi ended the threat with another K and Max and the offense did the rest in the bottom of the ninth.

 

 

 

Season Totals FSL (13 games): 2-2, 2.25 ERA, 20.0 IP, 2 Saves, 5 ER's on 12 hits and 3 BB's, with 29 K's.

 

Season Totals Southern League (30 games): 3-4, 4.53 ERA, 43.2 IP, 2 Saves, 22 ER's on 40 H's and 32 BB's, with 54 K's.

 

Since returning to AA (8 games): 0-0, 1 save, 1.35 ERA, 13.1 IP, 2 ER's on 8 H's and 10 BB's, with 21 K's and a 1.35 WHIP.

 

Playoffs (1 game): 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.1 IP, 0 R's on 1 H and 1 BB, with 3 K's.

[Steve Lein]

 

 

I wonder if this guy is quietly becoming dominant. Two more appearances since the last update (sorry I'm stepping on your touchdown call Steve Lein)

In 2 games, 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 2 walks, 5 Strikeouts. (Two balls put in play.)

Obviously there's a less than < 1 percent chance he will be called up, but a guy can dream. If he seems more confident. I wonder if he would carry that confidence with him to the big league mound in a pennant race.

 

No problem!

 

He's been much better since his demotion and recall. He walked almost no one in the FSL, but still too many in the Southern League. But you are right, not a lot of damage against him to show for it, because nobody hits him!

[Steve Lein]

Overall Final Line on the Regular Season:

 

 

43 games, 5-6, 3.82 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 4 Saves, 63.2 IP, 27 ER's on 52 H's and 35 BB's, with 83 K's. .224 batting average against.