Corbin Burnes: "It's always going about your business...and when you step on the rubber knowing you're the best in the league"
Corbin Burnes' transformation from seldom-used reliever to Cy Young winner has been inspirational. The 28-year-old enters his sixth season in the majors with a reputation as one of the game's top starters.
Not since the great CC Sabathia have the Milwaukee Brewers had a starting pitcher as dominant, efficient, and dangerous on the mound.
The 28-year-old recently touched on his approach to pitching in the big leagues:
"It's always going about your business as if there's room to grow, but also going out there and when you step on the rubber knowing you're the best in the league."
Per a recent article by Jeff Passan on ESPN, Burnes spoke about the mental side of pitching. He has worked hard since 2020 to make adjustments to his game.
Good morning from Corbin’s cutter. https://t.co/AnvnIB8z5U
"Good morning from Corbin’s cutter." - Sophia Minnaert
Burnes' 2019 numbers versus his last three years have been night and day. The right-handed pitcher struggled that year, finishing with an 8.82 ERA over 32 games. He gave up 21 runs in his first four starts (including seven versus the Chicago Cubs) and never recovered. Overall, he allowed 17 home runs and 70 hits over 49 innings.
Corbin Burnes has developed into one of the league's elite pitchers over the previous three seasons
Since 2019, Burnes has looked a completely different pitcher. He won the NL Cy Young Award in 2021 and was selected to the All-Star Game on two occasions (2021, 2022). Burnes also led the National League in ERA in 2021 and in strikeouts in 2022.
Corbin Burnes' fabulous defense of the '21 NL Cy Young is complete. He finished the '22 season 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, an NL-best 243 strikeouts and 202 innings. He is one of four pitchers in baseball this season to make 33 starts.
"Corbin Burnes' fabulous defense of the '21 NL Cy Young is complete. He finished the '22 season 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, an NL-best 243 strikeouts and 202 innings. He is one of four pitchers in baseball this season to make 33 starts." - Adam McCalvy
Over the past three seasons, Burnes has a 27-14 record with the Brewers.
His stat line since 2019 remains one of the best in the MLB:
- 2020: 59.2 innings, 88 K's, 1.02 WHIP, 2.11 ERA
- 2021: 167 innings, 234 K's, 0.94 WHIP, 2.43 ERA
- 2022: 202 innings, 243 Ks, 0.97 WHIP, 2.94 ERA
With Opening Day around the corner, the Milwaukee Brewers will be enthusiastic to see Corbin Burnes healthy and confident. After a tough season where the club just missed out on the playoffs, they will look to Burnes to lead them back with another stellar season.