IP 68
ERA 4.897
WHIP 1.735
BB/9 5.824
SO/9 7.279
  • Full name Luke Wendell Burnett
  • Born 12/10/1986 in Shreveport, LA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'8" / Wt.: 260 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Carthage
  • Drafted in the 14th round (432nd overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2008 (signed for $200,000).
    View Draft Report
    Burnett looked like a potential first-round pick as a reliever last summer in the Cape Cod League, when he intimidated hitters with his 6-foot-8, 260-pound frame and a fastball that sat at 96 mph. Now he has to hope that teams place a lot of faith in what he showed on the Cape, because he had a horrible 2008 season that torpedoed his draft status. Used mostly as a starter--a role in which he thrived as a sophomore--Burnett failed to win a game and didn't pitch after April 25, when he walked four batters and couldn't get out of the first inning against Hawaii. His arm speed was noticeably slower this spring, though an MRI didn't reveal any injury. He pitched mostly at 86-91 mph with a straight four-seam fastball. He bounced his splitter in the dirt and had trouble staying on top of his slider. When it's on, his splitter can be devastating. Burnett draws comparisons to Kyle Farnsworth, and he's best suited to come in and air out his fastball for an inning at a time. His delivery is stiff and hampers his command, and he doesn't have a lot of feel for pitching. The team that selects Burnett likely will follow him in summer ball to see if he can get back on track before trying to sign him.

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