Tigers Like Burrows’ Progress
DETROIT—Righthander Beau Burrows, a 2015 first-round pick, has experienced his share of ups and downs this season, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone. He is, after all, still just 19.
Burrows went 5-4, 3.88 through his first 15 appearances (14 starts) at low Class A West Michigan this season.
“Beau’s doing a fine job,” farm director Dave Owen said. “We’re happy with Beau. Obviously, it’s his first year in West Michigan, and he’s handling it very, very well.
“As a young player—and especially a young pitcher—he’s going to have inconsistent moments, but that’s part of the learning curve.”
Burrows pitched best in the first half, when he recorded a 2.77 ERA, a .221 opponent average and 37 strikeouts in 52 innings. He allowed 15 runs in his first 18 innings after the Midwest League all-star break, however.
Burrows clearly had a big arm when the Tigers took him with the 22nd pick in the 2015 draft out of Weatherford (Texas) High. Owen said Burrows isn’t just a one-pitch pitcher.
“He shows us a really good curveball and a good feel for a changeup,” Owen said. “The total package is there. It’s just a matter of throwing his innings, getting his reps in and growing into the pitcher, developing that feel for repeating his delivery and repeating his pitches.
“We all feel like that’s on its way. It’s just going to take a little bit of time.”
Burrows averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings in limited action last year in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but he had fanned just 5.8 per nine this season.
“Each step, obviously, is a little bit more of a challenge,” Owen said. “Where he probably got some swings and misses in Rookie ball, he’s not going to get necessarily here . . .
“I believe that once he gets comfortable . . . he has the ability, and his strikeouts will go up again.”
TIGER TALES
• Double-A Erie righthander Myles Jaye struck out 11 and did not issue a walk in his July 16 win against Akron.
• Outfielder Anthony Gose went just 5-for-41 (.122) in his first 12 games for Erie after being demoted from Triple-A Toledo following a dugout dispute with Mud Hens manager Lloyd McClendon. Gose began the season as the starting center fielder in Detroit.
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