Tigers prospect Beau Burrows learning to let hitters help him get outs
It hasn’t taken right-hander Beau Burrows long to impress.
The Weatherford High School product shook off a less-than-stellar start in Class A ball with three excellent outings in his past three starts for the Detroit Tigers’ affiliate, the West Michigan Whitecaps.
The hard-throwing 19-year-old, who was the No. 22 overall pick in the June draft, has allowed one earned run on six hits in his past three starts (at least five innings each game). In his first-career Class A start on April 7, he was gave up four runs on four hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. Since then, he’s walked only one and struck out 12.
“In high school, I was more of a blow-it-by-guys type, but now that I’m in pro ball, I’m more of a pitch-to-contact guy,” Burrows told MiLB.com.
Burrows is a quick learner. After a similar start in rookie ball last summer, he rebounded to hold opponents to no earned runs over his next 15 innings.
“I figured it out after my first start last summer where I was trying to blow the ball by some guys and it didn't really work out,” Burrows said. “So I thought to myself, ‘I need to start pitching to contact and getting outs by getting the ball put in play.’ ”
The same formula has produced success so far this spring.
“The biggest thing now for me is just throwing more innings, learning how to get ahead early throwing strikes and being consistent with my delivery,” he said.
Hometown notables
▪ Outfielder Jason Coats (TCU) returned from a seven-day stint on the disabled list for Triple A Charlotte Knights. The Tigers prospect is batting .348 with eight extra-base hits and nine RBI.
▪ Lefty Matt Purke (TCU) has allowed three runs in 14 innings of relief for the Knights. He has 13 strikeouts and seven walks. Batters have 14 hits with a .246 average against him.
▪ Giants outfielder Hunter Pence (Arlington High, UT Arlington) was 3 for 4 Friday and had seven hits in his first five games in May. He’s batting .296 this season.
▪ Royals reliever Dillon Gee (Cleburne, UT Arlington) has allowed three homers in his past three innings (two appearances).
▪ Reds lefty Brandon Finnegan (Fort Worth Southwest, TCU) started Saturday after leaving his last start with a hamstring injury.
▪ First baseman Max Muncy (Keller) is hitting .293 with five homers, three doubles and 14 RBIs for the Nashville, the A’s Triple A affiliate.
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Tigers prospect Beau Burrows learning to let hitters help him get outs."