The Diamondbacks released right-handed pitcher Zack Burdi earlier this week according to MLB.com’s transaction tracker. Arizona frees up a spot on its 40-man roster, which currently has 39 spots filled.
Acquired in an October waiver claim out of the Baltimore organization, Burdi’s time in the desert will prove practically nonexistent. A former first-round pick with the White Sox, Burdi has endured a trying handful of years since a scintillating minor league debut in 2016. After he skyrocketed all the way up to Triple-A in his first minor league season, the one-time relief prospect has endured a number of health issues, headlined by Tommy John surgery in July 2017.
While Burdi has shown promise when taking the (predominately minor league) field in recent seasons, hitting the mid to upper 90’s with his fastball and striking out batters in droves, he’s also proven awfully susceptible to walks and home runs. Last season proved no different, unfortunately, as the 27-year-old was rocked in Triple-A and in the Majors. Between a Chicago call-up and a cameo out of the Orioles bullpen Burdi sported a 5.40 ERA, with his three home runs and five walks allowed through 10 innings actually looking better than his work in 28 plus Triple-A frames.
Given his pedigree, it’s likely Burdi can latch onto another organization via a minor league deal. Teams who feel they can tap into the right-hander’s potential may also find his remaining minor league option year appealing, given that they can shuttle him between the big leagues and minor leagues if he can stick on a team’s 40-man roster.
Bring him back to Baltimore
Was thinking the exact same thought.
Please St Louis sign this man so we can have a Birdi in the Busch
One burdi in the hand is worth 2 the busch……
You got it
Could’ve swore this guy was a golfer.
White Sox will sign him back.
That White Sox bullpen will be one of the best in the majors. Burdi has zero chance of coming back to Chicago.
I don’t even think they would waste the time with a sign-and-stash at this point.
The Burdi family just has no luck. Brother Nick actually has shown he could get guys out at the Big League level. Unfortunately he has not shown that he can do it without his arm coming apart. Has has 2:TJ surgeries with a thoracic outlet procedure sandwiched in between.. He is now on a minor league deal with the Padres coming back from the 2nd TJ.
Remember his first call up with Sox when he would continually shake off the signs. Got lit up and I recall one game where Cooper had a lot to say to him about it in dugout after he was pulled.
Nice to have the open spot.
If the DBACKS cut him, he’s officially done, another wonderful draft pick by the Sox