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Overview
School: Louisville
Position: RHP
Height: 6′ 3”
Weight: 210 lb.
Bats: R
Throws: R
Zack Burdi 2016 MLB Draft Profile
Burdi played two seasons for head coach Darren Orel at Downers Grove South High School and was ranked as the No. 6 player in Illinois according to Prep Baseball Report as a senior. Rated No. 248 nationally by Perfect Game, he was an All-State and All-Region selection for the Perfect Game National Showcase.
Zack came out of the bullpen for six appearances on the mound in the summer of 2015 for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. The rising junior had a 3.72 ERA with six strikeouts and did not register a decision or a save in his 9.2 innings of work. He had four straight scoreless outings capped by two dominant innings of shutout relief against Cuba on July 3, when he needed just 12 pitches to record six outs.
Strengths:
- Fastball usually sits at 95-98 mph, can occasionally hit 100 mph.
- Fastball has late life.
- Improved slider as plus pitch.
- Clean delivery.
Weaknesses:
- Changeup loses sink, gets firm at times, and is rarely used.
MLB Comparison: Nick Burdi, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Projected Pick Range: 45-65
Most likely landing spot: Houston Astros
Bottom Line:
There should be no question that arm strength runs in the Burdi family. His oldest brother, Drew Burdi, played quarterback at Western Michigan and his middle brother Nick regularly hit 100 mph with his fastball at Louisville before the Twins took him in the second round of the 2014 Draft. Zack unleashes similar heat as Nick’s successor as the closer for the Cardinals, and he should get drafted around the same area in June.
Sources: MLB Prospect Watch, Prospect Junkies, Lousville Athletics
