Atlanta Braves Pad Bullpen of the Future Claim Danny Burawa
By Fred Owens
Mar 4, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Danny Burawa (72) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies at a spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Called Up and sent Down
The Yankees called him up on June 21st and gave him one outing that night against the Tigers who welcomed him to the majors by scoring four runs in his 2/3 IP. It wasn’t exactly the easiest introduction as faced Ian Kinsler (ground out), Miguel Cabrera (walk), Victor Martinez (single), Yoenis Cespedes (single RBI), J.D. Martinez (homer) and Bryan Holaday (K swinging). He was optioned to AAA after the game.
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Here’s his post game interview
Over the next six games at Scranton he wasn’t nearly as good as before his trip to New York. He threw 13 2/3 innings and gave up seven runs although he did strike out nine. He was demoted to Trenton after that where they tried to use him as a starter for some odd reason – Joba Chamberlin syndrome perhaps, the Yanks have made some strange decisions with pitchers in recent years. In any event as a starter he threw 11 innings in three games striking out 13 and walking 9 wile posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.272 WHIP.
The Yankees took him off the 40-man roster on August 5 apparently to make room for either Luis Severino or Garrett Jones. Whatever the reason that made him available and the former Yankee folks in our player development group no doubt advocated claiming him.
Bullpen here I come?
Burawa’s stuff scream reliever. When he’s on he’s Jonny Venters good. When he’s wild he’s Jonny Venters wild. He money pitch is that heavy sinker and the Roger McDowell led pitching development program is the best place to get that on track. Some forget that when Venters was wild he was w-i-l-d but that vanished under McDowell and that’s surely the kind of thing they would like to have happen to Burawa.
That’s A Wrap
The bullpen for the next few seasons looks pretty good from where I sit. Currently backing up a rotation of Shelby Miller, a resurgent Julio Teheran, Matt Wisler, Mike Foltynewicz, Williams Perez, Manny Banuelos with Tyrell Jenkins wanting in the wings are
- Arodys Vizcaino’s been performing well in the closer’s role,
- Matt Marksberry and Andrew McKirahan have settle into the lefty roles for now
- Ross Detwiler acting as long man
- David Aardsma providing his experience as a close to a revitalized fastball
- Edwin Jackson as a new power arm and
- Jake Brigham who has had his ups and down but throws strikes
The acquisition of Burawa along trades for Chris Withrow who Baseball America says the Braves see as a potential closer because of a power arm and Paco Rodriguez, the drafting of A.J. Minter who was a starter but could also end up in the pen once he finished rehab and likely move of Daniel Winkler to the pen, the return of Shae Simmons and Jason Hursh’s recent – seemingly successful so far – move to a relief role should give those wondering about the future of the pen a reason to smile. They are also currency for a bat or two when needed.
That’s my take, what’s yours?