Sean Burnett

Sean Burnett
Washington Nationals – No. 17
Pitcher
Born: September 17, 1982 (1982-09-17)
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 30, 2004 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Career statistics (through 2011)
Win-Loss	14-21
Earned run average	3.80
Strikeouts	210
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (2004, 2008-2009) Washington Nationals (2009–present)

Sean Richard Burnett (born September 17, 1982, in Dunedin, Florida) is a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round in 2000 after leading Wellington High School (Wellington, Florida) to a 6A State Title in his senior year.

Professional Career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Known for his change-up, remarkable control, presence, and a low-90s fastball. Burnett was the Pirates Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2001 and 2002, and 2002 Carolina League Pitcher of the Year. Baseball America named him the Carolina League's #1 prospect, and the Pirates #2 prospect. Baseball America after 2002: “Burnett was anointed as the Hillcats' ace--and he rarely disappointed. A left-hander with a 91 mph fastball and the league's best changeup, he did his part to help create a winning attitude on the field. Batters found it difficult to drive the ball in the air against him because he pitches down in the strike zone.” His velocity improved in 2002, hitting 93 mph (150 km/h). His changeup is his best pitch, he also has a good slider. Knowles: “He needs to improve his breaking ball, he makes a lot of mistakes with it, but he throws enough strikes with his other pitches that he gets by with it.”

After sporting a 14-6 record with the AA Altoona Curve in 2003, Burnett advanced to the AAA Nashville Sounds for 2004. He was recalled by the Pirates, and made his major league debut on May 30, 2004, against the Chicago Cubs. Burnett pitched five solid innings, allowing only one run, but did not get a decision in the game. He finished the 2004 season with a 5-5 record and a 5.02 ERA.

Burnett missed the entire 2005 campaign with shoulder and elbow problems which eventually culminated in surgery. He spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the AAA Indianapolis Indians. After a stellar 2008 spring training, Burnett was returned to AAA, as the Pirates decided to keep Rule 5 pitcher Evan Meek in his place.

Meek was designated for assignment on May 4, 2008, and Burnett was recalled to take his place. Burnett made his first major league appearance since August 21, 2004 on May 6, 2008 against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning. Said Burnett of his return: "Honestly, it might have been more nerve-racking than my debut because my debut came so easy. It was such an easy road coming up through the Minor Leagues. This one was so much more hard work, and harder to get here, and a lot more time."

Burnett had a 4.54 ERA in 160 2/3 innings pitched for the Pirates from 2004-2009.

Washington Nationals

On June 30, 2009 the Pirates traded Burnett along with Nyjer Morgan to the Washington Nationals for Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan.

Through the 2011 season, Burnett has a 2.98 ERA in 145 innings pitched for the Nationals from 2009-2011.

Burnett's walk up song, "Here I go again(on my own)" by White Snake is a tribute to his agent, who made him a mix tape with the song on it when he was recovering from injury.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080507&content_id=2658074&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb