50 Facts About Corbin Burnes

Early Life and High School

Corbin Burnes' journey to MLB stardom began in Bakersfield, California. His early years were marked by dedication and talent, setting the stage for his future success.

1. Birth and Early Life: Corbin Burnes was born on October 22, 1994, in Bakersfield, California.
2. High School Career: Burnes attended Centennial High School in Bakersfield, where he had a 9–4 win–loss record with a 2.23 earned run average (ERA) in his senior year.

College Baseball and Draft

Burnes' college years at Saint Mary's College of California were pivotal. His performance there caught the attention of MLB scouts.

3. College Baseball: After high school, Burnes enrolled at Saint Mary's College of California to play college baseball. In 2015, he played for the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
4. Draft Selection: The Milwaukee Brewers selected Burnes in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB draft, with the 111th overall pick.

Professional Debut and Early Career

Burnes made his MLB debut in 2018, but his early career had its ups and downs. His resilience and determination were key to overcoming initial struggles.

5. Professional Debut: Burnes made his MLB debut on July 10, 2018, pitching two scoreless innings and recording his first major league save.
6. Early Career Struggles: Initially, Burnes struggled in the starting rotation, allowing 11 home runs across his first three starts in 2019. He was moved back to the bullpen but continued to struggle, compiling a 9.00 ERA through 26 appearances.
7. Injury and Recovery: Burnes was placed on the injured list on July 15, 2019, due to shoulder discomfort. He finished the season with a 1–5 record and an 8.82 ERA in 49 innings.

Breakthrough and Achievements

Burnes' breakthrough came in 2021, marking the start of his rise to the top of the league. His achievements since then have been nothing short of impressive.

8. No-Hitter Appearance: On September 11, 2019, Burnes pitched the first eight innings of a combined no-hitter with Josh Hader against the Cleveland Indians. He struck out 14 batters but walked one in the seventh inning, ending the perfect game attempt.
9. Breakthrough Season (2021): In 2021, Burnes had a breakout season, going 11–5 with a 2.43 ERA, leading the major leagues in ERA, strikeouts per nine innings (12.6), home runs per nine innings (0.4), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.88). He won the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the third Brewers pitcher to win the award.
10. All-Star Selections: Burnes has been selected as an All-Star four times: in 2021 and 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles.

Pitching Style and Techniques

Burnes is known for his diverse pitching arsenal. His ability to throw multiple pitches with precision makes him a formidable opponent on the mound.

11. Pitching Style: Burnes is known for his power pitching style, throwing six different pitches: a four-seam fastball between 94 and 97 MPH, a sinker between 95 and 97 MPH, a changeup between 88 and 91 MPH, a slider between 86 and 89 MPH, a curveball between 80 and 83 MPH, and a cut fastball between 93 and 96 MPH.
12. Curveball Debut: In 2024, Burnes debuted a second curveball, about 5 MPH faster than his first, primarily used in strikeout situations.

Career Statistics and Awards

Burnes' career stats and awards highlight his excellence and consistency as a top pitcher in MLB.

13. Career Statistics: As of 2024, Burnes has a 60-36 win-loss record in the MLB with a 3.19 ERA over 903.2 innings pitched. He has 1051 strikeouts and a 1.06 WHIP.
14. Awards and Honors: Burnes has been named the Brewers Pitcher of the Year in the National League (NL) for 2021, 2022, and 2023. He was also an All-MLB First Team selection in 2021 and 2024.

Trade to Orioles and 2024 Season

In 2024, Burnes' career took a new turn with a trade to the Baltimore Orioles. His performance continued to impress in the American League.

15. Trade to Orioles: On February 1, 2024, the Brewers traded Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for DL Hall, Joey Ortiz, and a compensatory draft pick.
16. 2024 Season with Orioles: In his first season with the Orioles, Burnes pitched to a 2.92 ERA and a 15-9 record with 181 strikeouts across 194.1 innings pitched. He was named an AL All-Star and AL Pitcher of the Month for September 2024.

Free Agency and Future Prospects

Burnes' future in MLB looks bright as he enters free agency. Teams will undoubtedly vie for his talent and experience.

17. Free Agency: After the 2024 season, Burnes became a free agent, marking the end of his tenure with the Orioles and potentially beginning a new chapter in his career.

Personal and Miscellaneous Facts

Beyond his professional achievements, Burnes has an interesting personal life and other notable facts that fans might find intriguing.

18. Nickname: Burnes is affectionately known as "Burnesy" among fans and teammates.
19. College Baseball Stats: During his junior year at Saint Mary's College, Burnes posted a 9–2 record with a 2.48 ERA in 16 starts.
20. Cape Cod League Experience: In 2015, Burnes played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
21. High School ERA: In his senior year at Centennial High School, Burnes had a 2.23 ERA in 22 appearances.
22. Draft Round and Pick: Burnes was drafted in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2016 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
23. MLB Debut Date: Burnes made his MLB debut on July 10, 2018.
24. First MLB Save: Burnes recorded his first major league save on July 10, 2018, pitching two scoreless innings.
25. NLDS Performance: In the 2018 NLDS against the Colorado Rockies, Burnes pitched four scoreless innings in relief across two appearances and earned the win in Game 3.
26. NLCS Performance: In the 2018 NLCS against the Dodgers, Burnes got the last six outs of their game six win.
27. Injury Issues: Burnes has faced several injury issues throughout his career, including shoulder discomfort in 2019 and a pectoral issue in 2023.
28. No-Hitter Participation: On September 11, 2019, Burnes participated in a combined no-hitter with Josh Hader against the Cleveland Indians. He pitched eight innings and struck out 14 batters.
29. Strikeout Leader (2022): Burnes led the National League in strikeouts in 2022 with 243 batters struck out.
30. ERA Leader (2021): Burnes led the major leagues in ERA in 2021 with a 2.43 ERA.
31. Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio: In 2021, Burnes had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.88, one of the highest in the league that season.
32. All-Star Game Selections: Burnes has been selected as an All-Star three times: in 2021 and 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles.
33. NL Cy Young Award Winner: Burnes won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021, becoming the third Brewers pitcher to win the award.
34. Brewers Pitcher of the Year: Burnes was named the Brewers Pitcher of the Year in the National League for 2021, 2022, and 2023.
35. All-MLB First Team Selection: Burnes was an All-MLB First Team selection for the first time in 2021 and again in 2024.
36. NL Pitcher of the Month: Burnes was named the NL Pitcher of the Month for July 2023.
37. AL All-Star Game Selection: Burnes was selected to the AL All-Star Game in 2024.
38. AL Pitcher of the Month: Burnes was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for September 2024.
39. Career Wins: As of 2024, Burnes has 15 wins in the American League and 10 wins in the National League.
40. Career ERA: Burnes has a career ERA of 3.19 in the MLB.
41. Career Strikeouts: Burnes has 1051 strikeouts in his MLB career.
42. Career WHIP: Burnes has a career WHIP of 1.06 in the MLB.
43. Fielding Percentage: In 2022, Burnes had a .961 fielding percentage.
44. Gold Glove Finalist: Burnes was a finalist for the NL Gold Glove Award at pitcher in 2022 but did not win.
45. Contract Negotiations: In 2022, Burnes signed a $6.5 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration.
46. Salary Arbitration: In 2023, Burnes went to salary arbitration with the Brewers, ultimately receiving a $10.01 million salary from the arbiter.
47. Relationship with Brewers: Burnes has expressed that the salary arbitration process "definitely hurt" his relationship with the Brewers.
48. Opening Day Starter: Burnes started for the Brewers on Opening Day in both 2023 and 2024.
49. Career Highlights: Burnes has been involved in several notable games throughout his career, including a combined no-hitter in 2019 and multiple shutout innings in the postseason.
50. Legacy and Impact: Corbin Burnes has established himself as one of the top pitchers in the MLB, known for his power pitching style and ability to dominate games. His awards and accolades reflect his hard work and dedication to the sport.

Corbin Burnes: A Remarkable Journey

Corbin Burnes has carved out an impressive career in Major League Baseball. From his early days at Centennial High School to becoming a Cy Young Award winner, Burnes' journey is nothing short of inspiring. His breakout season in 2021, where he led the league in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings, showcased his immense talent. Despite some early struggles and injuries, Burnes has consistently bounced back, proving his resilience and dedication. His trade to the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 marked a new chapter, where he continued to shine, earning an AL All-Star selection. With a career ERA of 3.19 and over 1,000 strikeouts, Burnes' legacy is already significant. As he enters free agency, the baseball world eagerly awaits his next move. Burnes' story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.