Detroit Tigers Top Prospect #3: Beau Burrows

The Detroit Tigers have been working hard to keep their pitching rotations and bullpen options full. Right-handed pitcher Beau Burrows is a key addition that the Tigers are watching closely. He has only been with the organization for one season, but he is impressive enough to land in the #3 spot in our Motor City Bengals Top Prospects List.

Stats So Far

Since RHP Beau Burrows was a first-round pick his expectations are going to be a bit higher. He’s a power arm straight out of high school, seemingly just what the Tigers need. Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take into account that he’s fresh out of high school so it may be a couple years before he becomes a serious factor. With what little information we have on him the best we’ll be able to do right now is project what will become of him.

In his senior year at Weatherford High School, Burrows threw 72 innings posting a 0.78 ERA and 132 strikeouts. In 2015, Burrows pitched 28 innings in the Gulf Coast League, posting a 1.61 ERA with 33 strikeouts. He’s known to have a fastball in the mid 90’s that has reached 99 on occasion and an 80 to 82 mph breaking ball with a deceptive 12-6 curve. Everything that’s been analyzed so far is from a small sample since he’s fresh out of high school.

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Future Role

Since he’s only 19 it will probably be a year or two before fans hear about him at the Major League level. Like most pitchers, he will more than likely become a part of the starting rotation. The best case scenario is that he can maybe add a little to his fastball and become the next flamethrower, whether it be as a starter or a reliever.

A good way to look at it is to look at the future of the pitching staff. After the 2017 season, Anibal Sanchez could become a free agent if the club option isn’t exercised. Right around that time, Burrows should be close to ready to play at the Major league level and he could fill in the hole that Sanchez leaves. The other possibility is that he finds a home in the bullpen. The team could always use more relief pitching so this might move him up quicker, even giving him a future closer role if he can command a high 90’s fastball.

The young pitcher was picked 22nd in the first round. David Chadd, the Tigers vice-president of amateur scouting commented on Burrows: “We think he has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation-type starter. He has a big arm and we like him a lot.”

Burrows was drafted in the same season as outfielder Christin Stewart. While Stewart has moved up quickly through the minor league ranks, Burrows stayed in Lakeland for the entire season. Since Burrows was drafted right out of his school, he does not have the same experience as players who have a few college season under their belts. But, he does have an arm that college players envy.

Next: Detroit Tigers #4 Prospect: Joe Jimenez

Right now, Burrows is not listed on any of the Detroit Tigers minor league rosters. Most likely, he will be playing in West Michigan with the Whitecaps in the Midwest League.