Tanner Burns Stats & Scouting Report

IP	68.2
ERA	4.59
WHIP	1.51
BB/9	6.16
SO/9	9.17

Full name Lowell Tanner Burns
Born 12/28/1998 in Decatur, AL
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Auburn
Drafted in the CB-A round (36th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2020 (signed for $1,600,000).

View Draft Report

Other pitchers in the 2020 class have bigger pure stuff and more physical frames than the 6-foot, 215-pound Auburn righthander, but Burns has one of the higher baselines of any pitcher in the country. He’s been a reliable workhorse over two-plus years with the Tigers in a full-time starting role, taking the bump 32 times and posting a 2.86 ERA in 188.2 innings. That sort of track record in the SEC speaks for itself, and Burns’ pitch mix is solid-average or better across the board. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range consistently, with more in the tank when he wants it. It’s a plus pitch that plays up because of his ability to locate it consistently. He dots the pitch wherever he wants, which allows him to set up his offspeed offerings. Burns throws an above-average curveball and a changeup that gets some above-average grades as well, though it fluctuates more around average than the curve or fastball. He also throws a slider, though some evaluators believe the two breaking balls blend together. Either way, he gets swings and misses from lefties and righties with his breaking stuff and is an above-average strike thrower. His career walk rate with Auburn is just 3.16 batters per nine, and if he stays healthy he’s got a high likelihood to impact a major league club. Some teams may question his durability and endurance thanks to his size, but he’s done all he can in college to show he can handle the workload. Burns has the upside of a No. 3 or 4 starter and should be taken in the middle or back of the first round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A prominent player in high school who was the highest-rated player from the class of 2017 to make it to college, Burns stepped right into the rotation at Auburn. Cleveland in 2020 drafted him 36th overall, at the time the highest the organization had drafted a college pitcher since 2010. He spent 2022 at Double-A Akron, though he missed nearly all of May due to a shoulder strain.

Scouting Report: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It's a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a big, 12-to-6 curveball and a slider/cutter hybrid that sits around 90 mph. His curveball has long been the better of his two breaking balls, but he has worked to reshape his slider and it is now a solid offering itself. He also mixes in a changeup with sinking action, but it lags behind his other pitches. He earns praise for his dedication to his craft and makeup.

The Future: Burns is a bit undersized, doesn't have the biggest pure stuff and has been banged up in each of the last two seasons. His aptitude and track record hint at further upside potential. He'll start 2023 with Triple-A Columbus.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.
Track Record: A prominent player in high school and the highest-rated player from the class of 2017 to make it to college, Burns stepped right into the rotation at Auburn, where he learned alongside Casey Mize and under Tim Hudson. Cleveland in 2020 drafted him 36th overall, at the time the highest the organization had drafted a college pitcher since 2010. He made his professional debut in 2021 and though he was slowed by a two-week spell on the injured list due to elbow soreness, he acquitted himself well with High-A Lake County.

Scouting Report: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It’s a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a big, 12-to-6 curveball and a slider-cutter hybrid that sits around 90 mph. His curveball has long been the better of his breaking balls, but he worked over the offseason to reshape his slider and it became a solid offering itself. He also mixes in a changeup with good sinking action, but it’s a clear fourth offering. He earns praise for his dedication to his craft, makeup and his desire to learn.

The Future: Burns is a bit undersized, and he doesn’t have the biggest pure stuff, but between his aptitude, early success and Cleveland’s track record of helping college pitchers improve, there’s a lot to like. He’ll advance to Double-A in 2022 and should continue to move quickly.
TRACK RECORD: Burns was the top-ranked player from the 2017 high school class to make it to college. He stepped into the rotation at Auburn and starred throughout his college career, learning alongside Casey Mize and under Tim Hudson. The Indians drafted him with the 36th overall pick in 2020, the highest they have drafted a college pitcher since Drew Pomeranz fifth overall in 2010.

SCOUTING REPORT: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It's a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a curveball and a slider and has worked to make them two distinct pitches. Both flash above-average potential, with his curve typically showing better. He also throws a changeup with good sinking action, though he didn't need it much in college. Burns earns praise for his dedication, makeup and desire to learn.

THE FUTURE: There is a lot to like between Burns' stuff, aptitude and the Indians' track record of success developing college pitchers. He could move quickly in 2021.

Draft Prospects

Other pitchers in the 2020 class have bigger pure stuff and more physical frames than the 6-foot, 215-pound Auburn righthander, but Burns has one of the higher baselines of any pitcher in the country. He’s been a reliable workhorse over two-plus years with the Tigers in a full-time starting role, taking the bump 32 times and posting a 2.86 ERA in 188.2 innings. That sort of track record in the SEC speaks for itself, and Burns’ pitch mix is solid-average or better across the board. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range consistently, with more in the tank when he wants it. It’s a plus pitch that plays up because of his ability to locate it consistently. He dots the pitch wherever he wants, which allows him to set up his offspeed offerings. Burns throws an above-average curveball and a changeup that gets some above-average grades as well, though it fluctuates more around average than the curve or fastball. He also throws a slider, though some evaluators believe the two breaking balls blend together. Either way, he gets swings and misses from lefties and righties with his breaking stuff and is an above-average strike thrower. His career walk rate with Auburn is just 3.16 batters per nine, and if he stays healthy he’s got a high likelihood to impact a major league club. Some teams may question his durability and endurance thanks to his size, but he’s done all he can in college to show he can handle the workload. Burns has the upside of a No. 3 or 4 starter and should be taken in the middle or back of the first round.
Burns is like a high school version of North Carolina righthander J.B. Bukauskas. Burns is short but he is not small, with broad shoulders and a country strong body on the mound. The righthander can reach 96 with his fastball and consistently works at 92-94. He has a very fast arm and isn't afraid to attack hitters with his fastball. His best offspeed pitch is his power breaking ball, a plus pitch thrown in the low 80s with hard slurvy shape to it. He has also shown some feel for his changeup this spring. Burns is a very good athlete with loose hips and a very strong core. He controls his body well and can throw all of his pitches for strikes. In 64 innings in the spring, Burns struck out 116 batters and walked just 22. He also had an exceptional season as a hitter, batting .467 and hitting 16 home runs. Mike Burns, Tanner's father, is the head coach at Calhoun Community College. He played in the minor leagues with the Astros in the early 1990s. Burns could be a two-way player if he fulfills his commitment to Auburn. He is valued in the back of the first round to early second round.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A prominent player in high school who was the highest-rated player from the class of 2017 to make it to college, Burns stepped right into the rotation at Auburn. Cleveland in 2020 drafted him 36th overall, at the time the highest the organization had drafted a college pitcher since 2010. He spent 2022 at Double-A Akron, though he missed nearly all of May due to a shoulder strain.

Scouting Report: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It's a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a big, 12-to-6 curveball and a slider/cutter hybrid that sits around 90 mph. His curveball has long been the better of his two breaking balls, but he has worked to reshape his slider and it is now a solid offering itself. He also mixes in a changeup with sinking action, but it lags behind his other pitches. He earns praise for his dedication to his craft and makeup.

The Future: Burns is a bit undersized, doesn't have the biggest pure stuff and has been banged up in each of the last two seasons. His aptitude and track record hint at further upside potential. He'll start 2023 with Triple-A Columbus.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A prominent player in high school who was the highest-rated player from the class of 2017 to make it to college, Burns stepped right into the rotation at Auburn. Cleveland in 2020 drafted him 36th overall, at the time the highest the organization had drafted a college pitcher since 2010. He spent 2022 at Double-A Akron, though he missed nearly all of May due to a shoulder strain.

Scouting Report: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It's a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a big, 12-to-6 curveball and a slider/cutter hybrid that sits around 90 mph. His curveball has long been the better of his two breaking balls, but he has worked to reshape his slider and it is now a solid offering itself. He also mixes in a changeup with sinking action, but it lags behind his other pitches. He earns praise for his dedication to his craft and makeup.

The Future: Burns is a bit undersized, doesn't have the biggest pure stuff and has been banged up in each of the last two seasons. His aptitude and track record hint at further upside potential. He'll start 2023 with Triple-A Columbus.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: A prominent player in high school and the highest-rated player from the class of 2017 to make it to college, Burns stepped right into the rotation at Auburn, where he learned alongside Casey Mize and under Tim Hudson. Cleveland in 2020 drafted him 36th overall, at the time the highest the organization had drafted a college pitcher since 2010. He made his professional debut in 2021 and though he was slowed by a two-week spell on the injured list due to elbow soreness, he acquitted himself well with High-A Lake County.

Scouting Report: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It&#39s a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a big, 12-to-6 curveball and a slider-cutter hybrid that sits around 90 mph. His curveball has long been the better of his breaking balls, but he worked over the offseason to reshape his slider and it became a solid offering itself. He also mixes in a changeup with good sinking action, but it&#39s a clear fourth offering. He earns praise for his dedication to his craft, makeup and his desire to learn.

The Future: Burns is a bit undersized, and he doesn&#39t have the biggest pure stuff, but between his aptitude, early success and Cleveland&#39s track record of helping college pitchers improve, there&#39s a lot to like. He&#39ll advance to Double-A in 2022 and should continue to move quickly.
Track Record: A prominent player in high school and the highest-rated player from the class of 2017 to make it to college, Burns stepped right into the rotation at Auburn, where he learned alongside Casey Mize and under Tim Hudson. Cleveland in 2020 drafted him 36th overall, at the time the highest the organization had drafted a college pitcher since 2010. He made his professional debut in 2021 and though he was slowed by a two-week spell on the injured list due to elbow soreness, he acquitted himself well with High-A Lake County.

Scouting Report: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It’s a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a big, 12-to-6 curveball and a slider-cutter hybrid that sits around 90 mph. His curveball has long been the better of his breaking balls, but he worked over the offseason to reshape his slider and it became a solid offering itself. He also mixes in a changeup with good sinking action, but it’s a clear fourth offering. He earns praise for his dedication to his craft, makeup and his desire to learn.

The Future: Burns is a bit undersized, and he doesn’t have the biggest pure stuff, but between his aptitude, early success and Cleveland’s track record of helping college pitchers improve, there’s a lot to like. He’ll advance to Double-A in 2022 and should continue to move quickly.
TRACK RECORD: Burns was the top-ranked player from the 2017 high school class to make it to college. He stepped into the rotation at Auburn and starred throughout his college career, learning alongside Casey Mize and under Tim Hudson. The Indians drafted him with the 36th overall pick in 2020, the highest they have drafted a college pitcher since Drew Pomeranz fifth overall in 2010.

SCOUTING REPORT: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It's a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a curveball and a slider and has worked to make them two distinct pitches. Both flash above-average potential, with his curve typically showing better. He also throws a changeup with good sinking action, though he didn't need it much in college. Burns earns praise for his dedication, makeup and desire to learn.

THE FUTURE: There is a lot to like between Burns' stuff, aptitude and the Indians' track record of success developing college pitchers. He could move quickly in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Burns was the top-ranked player from the 2017 high school class to make it to college. He stepped into the rotation at Auburn and starred throughout his college career, learning alongside Casey Mize and under Tim Hudson. The Indians drafted him with the 36th overall pick in 2020, the highest they have drafted a college pitcher since Drew Pomeranz fifth overall in 2010.

SCOUTING REPORT: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It's a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a curveball and a slider and has worked to make them two distinct pitches. Both flash above-average potential, with his curve typically showing better. He also throws a changeup with good sinking action, though he didn't need it much in college. Burns earns praise for his dedication, makeup and desire to learn.

THE FUTURE: There is a lot to like between Burns' stuff, aptitude and the Indians' track record of success developing college pitchers. He could move quickly in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Burns was the top-ranked player from the 2017 high school class to make it to college. He stepped into the rotation at Auburn and starred throughout his college career, learning alongside Casey Mize and under Tim Hudson. The Indians drafted him with the 36th overall pick in 2020, the highest they have drafted a college pitcher since Drew Pomeranz fifth overall in 2010.

SCOUTING REPORT: Burns has solid all-around stuff and a good understanding of pitching. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and reaches 97. It's a plus pitch that plays up thanks to his ability to consistently locate it. He throws both a curveball and a slider and has worked to make them two distinct pitches. Both flash above-average potential, with his curve typically showing better. He also throws a changeup with good sinking action, though he didn't need it much in college. Burns earns praise for his dedication, makeup and desire to learn.

THE FUTURE: There is a lot to like between Burns' stuff, aptitude and the Indians' track record of success developing college pitchers. He could move quickly in 2021.