The D'Backs are considered are a surprising choice to some as he was reportedly offered more money by both the San Francisco Giants and the Toronto Blue Jays, but Burnes does reside in Arizona, so the move makes sense from that standpoint. Burnes can opt out of the contract following the 2026 season.
Burnes, 30, pitched this past season with the Baltimore Orioles after having pitched the previous six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. A fourth-round pick by the Brew Crew in the 2016 MLB draft, Burnes made his MLB debut during the 2018 season going 7-0 with 2.61 ERA in 30 appearances out of the bullpen. However, Burnes would struggle in 2019 posting a 1-5 record with a ghastly 8.82 ERA in 32 appearances (28 out of the bullpen) earning a demotion to both Triple-AAA and Double-AA ball.
During the COVID shortened 2020 season, Burnes was converted into a starting pitcher going 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 12 appearances (9 starts) and would finish 6th in NL Cy Young balloting. In 2021, Burnes would win the NL Cy Young with an 11-5 record and a league leading 2.43 ERA. Burnes also earned the first of four consecutive All-Star Game selections (3 in the NL and one in the AL). In 2022, Burnes would lead the NL in strikeouts with 243 alongside a 12-8 record with a 2.94 ERA finishing 7th in NL Cy Young balloting.
Following the 2023 season, the Brewers traded Burnes to the O's. Burnes would finish 5th in AL Cy Young balloting after winning a career high 15 games with a 2.92 ERA.
Burnes should be a nice fit in the D'Backs and help them regain their 2023 form as NL champions joining Zac Gallen at the top of the rotation. Burnes enters 2025 with a record of 60-36 with a 3.19 ERA striking out 1051 batters while walking only 254 in 903.2 innings pitched over 199 career appearances (138 of those starts).
No comments:
Post a Comment