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Burns

8/1/16 - Allowed just one walk after leadoff home run and mostly sat 90-92, reaching 93-94 early. His slider showed some tilt at 79-81 and is a sharp, swing-and-miss pitch at times.

6/23/16 - Came on in relief for United. He has a short, stocky frame at 5-foot-11, 208 pounds. His first fastball was 96 and then he sat at 92-94. He threw a high percentage of curveballs, a nasty pitch for him, though it was inconsistent in his second inning of work. He has sharp, snapping break with 11/5 shape and sits 80-82. An Auburn recruit, Burns has a compact delivery and stays in line. He logged two innings and allowed a hit while striking out two.

2020 DRAFT: Strong bodied at 6-foot, 215 pounds, Burns uses his lower half to generate plus velocity with ease. He lands slightly across his body while throwing from a three-quarters slot. He steadily pumps firm, high spin 92-96 mph heaters and commands the pitch to both sides of the plate. His 2.39 BB/9 in 2019 is further evidence of his plus control. He complements his heater with three solid secondary offerings in his 77-81 mph spike curveball, which he added this spring, an 84-86 mph slider and 82-84 mph changeup. Plus command of his four-pitch mix allows his entire arsenal to play up. After leaving the game early in an April '19 rain-soaked start at Vanderbilt due to shoulder discomfort, Burns missed a couple starts. He returned a couple weeks later, but did not pitch for the USA CNT last summer in order to rest. Despite those brief breaks from the mound, Burns has been an SEC workhorse, logging 165 innings in 32 starts his freshman and sophomore seasons combined. Overall, Burns projects as mid-rotation starter at the ML level and a likely back third of the first round pick.

4/27/19: Burns struggled during his rain-soaked start on Thursday (2.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 4 SO) topping at 94 mph with his high spin heater and leaving the game early with shoulder discomfort. He is scheduled to be examined this week. (Seifert)

6/27/18: Similar to a previous look this spring at Kentucky, Burns continued to impress with his strong arm and the ease in which he does it. Using his lower half well to help generate velocity, he lands cross body while throwing from a three-quarters slot. He steadily pumped firm 92-95 mph fastballs to both sides of the plate. Varied his delivery with hesitation in his leg lift, sometimes even double-pumping his knee to disrupt the hitters’ timing. Mixed in a below average 83-84 mph change-up as he slowed his arm and dropped his elbow a bit. It was somewhat effective today, but he obviously must improve the arm speed and keep his fastball slot at the next level. Dominant for two innings, overpowering hitters with his fastball and striking out three of the six batters he faced. Potential Day One selection for the 2020 draft. (Seifert)

3-28-2018: Strong armed and strong bodied freshman RHP Tanner Burns was up to 94 mph with his fastball, mostly sitting 91-93 with some arm side life during his start of Sunday’s second game. It was easy and firm. He mixed in a 82-83 mph changeup and a 80-84 mph slider. Potential top round prospect in 2020. (Seifert)