Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CLE | RHP | 8 | 50 |
Grades Update: Nov 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | SL | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 55/50 |
Nov 2020 Report
Evaluator: Russ Peters
Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2023
Physical Description: Stocky, thick, powerful legs, big arms, physique some would call "country strong." Not much growth projection left.
Delivery & Mechanics: 3/4 arm slot. Often works on first base side of the rubber, and falls off towards 1B when completing follow through. Very repeatable and consistent delivery. Uses effective timing, balance and body control. Keeps his body properly in sync throughout set up and delivery. Plant foot lands in the same spot repeatedly. Uses thick bottom half to create torque. Occasionally will mess with timing to keep hitters guessing. Somewhat violent delivery and lack of workhorse size that raises a few concerns about both past and future injuries
Fastball: Works 92-94. Tops out at 97. with some arm side run. Creates good angle on fastball down on hitters. Climbs the ladder up to a fastball high with rise. Commands fastball very well all over the plate. Consistently hits his spots both inside and just outside the strike zone. Command helps this pitch play up and elicit a lot of weak contact and ground balls. Has had issues with holding velocity as work load builds but this may work itself out with time. Grade: 55
Slider: At its peak this pitch sits low 80's with 11/5 curveball type shape. When off, it becomes an upper 70's loopy slurve. Needs to become more of a consistent offering. Controls pitch well. Used as effective out pitch versus righties. Grade: 50
Slider: 80-86. Harder version of the curve featuring nearly the same shape. Plays well off the fastball. Can throw it for a strike or bury for whiffs, but has a tendency to spike it gloveside here and there. Loses the bite at times and loops into the zone where it gets squared up, but not too often. A true weapon that can steal strikes or put guys away. Grade: 60
Changeup: 83-85. Fades with arm side run and used as an out pitch versus lefties. Flashes above average but inconsistent shape and command leave it a work in progress and a potentially average offering. Grade: 50
Control and Command: Ability to spot pitches. Fastball in the zone is one of Burns' strongest assets. Plus command of fastball and average command overall. Control: 55 | Command: 50
Overall: Three year starter at Auburn.10.0 career college K/9. Burns will not necessarily wow hitters with any one skill but he is average or better across the board. Aggressive on the mound. High floor type of prospect. Will likely be a quick mover in the minors. Durability and work load concerns still exist, but with some development in the change up and an increase in innings, Burns has the skills to be a mid to back end starter in the big leagues.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4 or #5 SP / High Leverage Reliever
Risk: Moderate
