Former 1st-Round Pick Pitcher Elects Free Agency

Former first-round pick pitcher Zack Burdi has entered free agency.

His journey in the 2023 baseball season took him through two different teams.

Initially, he was with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he pitched in three games but faced difficulties, allowing five earned runs over four innings.

Zack Burdi, Disgusting 91mph Changeup. 🤮

[Candelario asking wtf was that? ] pic.twitter.com/aBE7PsjH74

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 19, 2020

Later in the season, Burdi joined the Los Angeles Dodgers but was subsequently removed from their 40-man roster in early June.

Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to make an appearance in a Dodgers uniform.

Over his three-year MLB career, the 28-year-old holds an 8.44 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, with 23 strikeouts across 21.1 innings and 18 appearances.

Zack Burdi. Bob Uecker/Major League remix. pic.twitter.com/FIUSct7TSW

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 15, 2020

Now, with his sights set on free agency, Burdi is seeking a fresh start in his baseball career, hoping to find new opportunities in the open market, possibly on a minor league deal.

For his minor-league career, he has posted a 4.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, with 217 strikeouts over 160.1 innings and 132 appearances.

Burdi is a former first-round pick (26th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in the 2016 MLB Draft. Photo Credit: Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports