The White Sox have agreed to terms with their second selection from the amateur draft, Louisville righty Zack Burdi, per SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter link). Taken with the 26th overall pick, Burdi will receive the full slot value of $2,128,500.
Burdi was a flamethrowing closer for the University of Louisville, much like his older brother, Twins prospect Nick Burdi. In addition to an upper-90s fastball, he delivers what Baseball America calls a plus change and a slider that has shown promise. BA rated him 21st among draft-eligible prospects, based in part on the idea that he could potentially be developed as a starter.
Other outlets were less optimistic on the idea of Burdi moving into a rotation long-term. ESPN.com put him in the 37th slot, while MLB.com rated him 41st. Even if he’s not a starter, Chicago will no doubt like the idea of plugging a potentially fast-moving, high-leverage arm into its system.
If both are transitioned to starters that would he pretty cool for them to start the same game considering theyre in the same division. Maybe they can elimimate the dh those games just so the brothers get to pitch/hit against each other.
Burdi had better coaching
at Louisville than he’ll get in the sox minor league system. And there’s doubt about cooper now. It seems Cooper should be put out to pasture.
Wonder if Jack McDowell would be a good replacement for Don Cooper.