Former Tigers first-round pick signing with Pirates is painful reminder of 2015 Draft

Former Detroit Tigers prospect Beau Burrows is trying to rejuvenate his once promising major league career. The Tigers' former first-round pick has inked a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates and is on the comeback trail once again after opening the 2025 season with los Tecos de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.

Burrows was Detroit's first-round selection in 2015 MLB Draft. Taken 21st overall, the Tigers saw plenty of promise in the Texas high schooler, though having seen how the rest of the first round unfolded, Detroit wishes they had a do-over. Both Boston Red Sox starter Walker Buehler and Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley were selected in Round 1 of that same draft, only a few picks after Detroit tabbed Burrows.

But that's revisionist history at this point, and it wasn't as if the Tigers didn't see Burrows turn into a promising young starter. By 2018, Burrows ranked among the top five organizational prospects in the Tigers' farm system. Burrows was part of the Futures Game in 2017 and appeared poised to turn into the frontline starter Detroit was hoping to develop after taking the young righty in the first round.

Former Tigers first-round pick Beau Burrows attempts MLB comeback after signing with Pirates

But Burrows' career turned into a downhill slide after his first two seasons in pro ball. After rocketing up through the Tigers' pipeline, the right-hander was stuck at Double-A throughout the entire 2018 season. He'd started 15 games at Double-A the year before, but his strikeout numbers took a tumble and his walks increased. Burrows' ERA jumped almost a full point from 2017, and Detroit was obviously hesitant to push his development to the next level.

While the Tigers didn't see the type of results they were hoping for in 2018, Burrows was still on track to join Detroit's rotation. He was coming off back-to-back seasons of 130-plus innings pitched, and possessed a good enough arsenal to at least compete for a spot. But injuries crept in during the 2019 season. Multiple arm ailments and an oblique injury kept Burrows on the IL for all but 17 total starts. His command was lost as well, as fans saw his walk rate jump to 11%.

The 2020 season was unkind to every minor league player, but Burrows did finally get his call-up to the big leagues. Unfortunately it was short-lived, and after five appearances, an unsightly 5.40 ERA, and a meager 10% strikeout rate, he was sent back down.

Burrows has since bounced around to several different organizations including the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves. He'll take aim at another big league return, and this time it'll be with the Pirates. Based on Pittsburgh's current record, they can use all the help they can get. Best of luck, Beau.

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