| Nick Burdi | |
|---|---|
 Burdi with the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Boston Red Sox | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-01-19)January 19, 1993 (age 32) Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 11, 2018, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–2 |
| Earned run average | 6.48 |
| Strikeouts | 39 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Nicholas Edward Burdi (born January 19, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher in theBoston Red Sox organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates,Chicago Cubs, andNew York Yankees. Burdi playedcollege baseball for theLouisville Cardinals of theUniversity of Louisville.
Burdi attendedDowners Grove South High School inDowners Grove, Illinois, where he played for the school's baseball team as apitcher and for the football team as aquarterback. Before his junior year, Burdi quit the football team to focus on baseball. Burdi, as a child and teen also played for the Downers Grove Longshots.[1] He was able to throw hisfastball as fast as 95 miles per hour (153 km/h) as a high school student.[2]
Burdi participated in the Area Code Games in the summer of 2010, attracting the attention ofscouts, includingKeith Law ofESPN.com. After his senior season, Burdi expected to be chosen between the third to fifth rounds of the2011 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.[2] However, he lasted in the draft until the 24th round, when he was selected by theMinnesota Twins, with the 748th overall pick.[3][4] He did not sign with the Twins and instead elected to attend college.[4][5]
Burdi enrolled at theUniversity of Louisville, to playcollege baseball for theLouisville Cardinals baseball team. After the 2012 season, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theChatham Anglers of theCape Cod Baseball League.[6] By his sophomore year, Burdi could reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) with his fastball.[5] Pitching as the Cardinals'closer, Burdi has an 0.78earned run average (ERA) and 61strikeouts in34+2⁄3innings pitched through his sophomore year.[7] After his sophomore year, he joined theUnited States national collegiate baseball team.[3] As a junior, Burdi had a 0.49 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 37 innings.[8]
Burdi was considered a topprospect in the2014 MLB Draft.[7] TheMinnesota Twins selected Burdi in the second round with the 46th overall selection of the draft.[9] He signed with the Twins on June 25, receiving a $1,218,800signing bonus, and reported to theCedar Rapids Kernels of theSingle–AMidwest League.[8] He posted a 4.15 ERA in 13 innings, and the Twins promoted him to theFort Myers Miracle of theHigh–AFlorida State League in August.[10] Burdi opened the 2015 season with theChattanooga Lookouts of theDouble–ASouthern League.[11] He struggled with a 5.93 ERA, and was demoted to Fort Myers in late June.[12][13] After spending six weeks with Fort Myers, the Twins promoted Burdi back to Chattanooga, where he finished the season with a 1.77 ERA in20+1⁄3 innings. The Twins assigned him to theScottsdale Scorpions of theArizona Fall League after the regular season.[14]
Burdi pitched only three innings in 2016 due to a bone bruise in his right elbow.[15] Burdi began the 2017 season with Chattanooga. He requiredTommy John surgery to repair a tornulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in May 2017.[16]
On December 14, 2017, thePhiladelphia Phillies selected Burdi in theRule 5 draft, and traded him to thePittsburgh Pirates for $500,000 of international signing bonus money.[17] Burdi was activated from the injured list to make his return from surgery on September 1, 2018. On September 11, he made his MLB debut, tossing0+1⁄3 of an inning against theSt. Louis Cardinals.[18] He would only make two appearances in his rookie campaign, surrendering 3 runs (4 earned) on 3 hits and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in1+1⁄3 innings of work.[19]
Burdi made the Pirates'Opening Day roster in 2019. In 11 appearances, he posted a 9.35 ERA with 17 strikeouts in8+2⁄3 innings pitched.[20] On June 25, 2019, Burdi underwent thoracic outlet surgery to relieve symptoms ofthoracic outlet syndrome, ruling him out for the rest of theseason.[21]
After the delay of the2020 season due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, Burdi made only three appearances before he was placed on the injured list with a right elbow injury.[22] In August 2020, Burdi received aplatelet-rich plasma injection to avoid surgery.[23] However, in October, Burdi underwent his second careerTommy John surgery, and was ruled out for the 2021 season. On November 1, 2020, Burdi wasdesignated for assignment by the Pirates.[24] On November 9, he elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment.[25]
On December 22, 2020, Burdi signed a minor league contract with theSan Diego Padres.[26] He did not play in a game in 2021 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. Burdi was assigned to the Triple-AEl Paso Chihuahuas to begin the 2022 season, but was released on April 21, 2022, without making an appearance for the organization.[27] He re-signed with San Diego on a minor league contract on May 4.
On December 7, 2022, theChicago Cubs selected Burdi from the Padres in the minor league phase of theRule 5 draft.[28] Burdi returned from surgery in 2023, making 11 appearances for the Triple-AIowa Cubs and posting a 3.38 ERA with 19 strikeouts and five saves in10+2⁄3 innings pitched.[29]
On May 15, 2023, Burdi's contract was selected to the active roster.[29] He made three appearances for Chicago before he was placed on the injured list on May 24 after undergoing an emergencyappendectomy.[30] On June 13, Burdi was transferred to the 60–day injured list.[31] Following the season on November 2, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Iowa.[32] Burdi elected free agency on November 6.[33]
On December 21, 2023, Burdi signed a minor league contract with theNew York Yankees.[34] On March 25, 2024, the Yankees announced that Burdi had earned one of the team's finalOpening Day bullpen roles alongsideClayton Beeter.[35] He posted a 1.86 ERA in 12 games to begin the season, but was placed on the injured list with right hip inflammation on May 24.[36] After receiving aplatelet-rich plasma injection,[37] Burdi was transferred to the 60–day injured list on June 23.[38] He was activated on August 1.[39] Burdi was designated for assignment by the Yankees on September 7.[40] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on September 9.[41] Burdi elected free agency on October 1.[42]
On February 28, 2025, Burdi signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox.[43]
Burdi's older brother, Drew, was an All-Statequarterback who played football for Downers Grove South andWestern Michigan.[4] His younger brother,Zack, is also a professional baseball pitcher.[44]
