A.J. Burnett will be taking the mound for the Yankees in Game 4 of their ALCS showdown against the Rangers. To help get you ready, we offer the following scouting report.
A.J. Burnett: Analyzing The Yankees’ ALCS Game 4 Starting Pitcher
Vitals
6’4, 230
Right-handed
186.2 innings
5.26 ERA
7.0 K/9
3.8 BB/9
2010 Playoffs
N/A. 27.1 innings, 16 runs, 16 walks, 24 strikeouts in 2009.
Repertoire
Burnett doesn't throw quite as hard as he used to, but he still throws a sinking fastball in the 92-95mph range. He pairs that pitch with a power curve in the low- to mid-80s with sharp, biting drop. It's one of a number of knuckle curves that you find in the Major Leagues. There's really not much after that. Burnett will very occasionally show a changeup, which comes in around 88mph with a lot of run to it, but you don't see that often. He's no longer as much of a groundball pitcher as he was with the Marlins and Blue Jays.
Facing Righties
Burnett’s a straight fastball/curveball pitcher against right-handed hitters. He just doesn’t throw anything else. He likes to start hitters off with a fastball over the outer half of the plate, but he’s also been known to drop a low curveball to catch the hitter by surprise. When behind in the count, the curve practically goes on the shelf and Burnett becomes predictable. When ahead, though, he’ll throw more and more curves in an effort to get the hitter to chase at a breaking ball down and out of the zone. He’s less of a groundballer against righties than he is against lefties.
Facing Lefties
Burnett’s still primarily a fastball/curveball pitcher against lefties, but he will mix in the odd changeup. To start off, he leans on his fastball, although he doesn’t pitch to any particular spot. He just doesn’t throw many 0-0 fastballs up and in. Once again, the curve starts to disappear if he falls behind, and he’ll try to get back by throwing a fastball over the outer half. When he’s ahead, the curve comes out in great numbers. Burnett threw 199 pitches to lefties in 0-2 or 1-2 counts, and 138 (69%) were curveballs. He loves to try and bury them down and in for a swinging strike. He’ll also sometimes try to go backdoor and place them over the outer black.
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