Draft 14 - A Quick Look - RHP - Nick Burdi - Louisville

    Nick Burdi

5-23-13 - The extremely deep bullpen is anchored by college baseball’s hardest thrower, sophomore righty Nick Burdi (3-3, 0.88 with 56 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 innings), who routinely runs his fastball into the triple digits (5-29-13)  http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/louisville-regional-preview/

6-9-13  -  9.Nick Burdi, RHP (Louisville): As a reliever he consistently touches 100+ mph. His slider is equally ridiculous as it maxes out in the low 90s. He also showed improved command in 2013. It would be fun to watch Burdi as a starter next year. http://www.minorleaguerundown.com/2013/06/09/2014-mlb-draft-top-30-prospects/

6-10-13 - Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville - The Louisville closer has one of the best arms in the country and progressed well from his freshman to sophomore seasons.  His fastball is 95+ and touches 100.  His slider is also a nice pitch. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/06/10/2014-mlb-draft-early-college-names-to-know/

6-11-13 - 9. Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville: It's not often a college closer gets ranked this highly, but Burdi reportedly hit triple digits during the 2013 season, striking out 61 in 34 2/3 innings. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130611&content_id=50293726&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_50293726

6-17-13  -  Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville - Simpson compares Burdi (6-foot-4, 218) to Oklahoma righthander Jonathan Gray, who could hit 100 on the gun and just went No. 3 overall to the Rockies. "Burdi's done the same," Simpson said. "He's the big arm for next year." The difference, however, is that Burdi is more of a two-pitch reliever than a starter like Gray -- but a very good closer at Louisville, where he had a 0.78 ERA and an absurd 61 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130610/draft-prospects-carlos-rodon/#ixzz2WWk0FqzU

 6-20-13  -  Mike (Dallas) - I realize its a little early for 2014 draft discussions but I saw a report that said Nick Burdi is a top 5 candidate for next years draft. I realize he throws really hard but is a guy who has been a reliever in college really considered that high of a prospect? If he is that good, why is he not a starter in college? - - - Keith Law: Nick Burdi is not a top 5 draft prospect unless, as you say, he becomes a starter. No team would risk the opprobrium of taking a closer with a top five pick.

6-28-13 - Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville: The top closer in college baseball in 2013, Burdi was a key member of a tremendous Louisville staff that carried the Cardinals to Omaha. A gas-throwing, 6'4" right hander, Burdi posted a 0.78 ERA in 34.2 innings last season, and, even more impressively, struck out 61 batters versus 13 walks in those frames. He allowed just 25 hits, and was nothing short of dominant. Next season, Burdi projects to jump to the starting rotation, and has the stuff to be a star there as well. http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2013/6/28/4450674/the-way-too-early-2014-tcb-astros-draft-board

7-2-13 - Louisville Baseball ‏@UofLBaseball  - Summer Update: RHP Nick Burdi had 2 strikeouts in a scoreless inning of relief last night in Team USA's win over Catawba Valley.

7-9-13 - Player:  Nick Burdi   Position:  RHP   School:  Louisville   Date of Birth:  1/19/1993

 Height/Weight:  6’4/218   Bats/Throws:  R/R   2014 Class:  College Junior   Previously Drafted:  2011, 24th rd, Twins  Scouting Report:  Strong build  Quick arm  3/4 arm slot

Leg raise slightly above waist high  Does a good job of pitching downhill  Fastball sits 95+, touches triple digits  Upper 80′s slider with nice late break

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 23 – RHRP Nick Burdi – Louisville – Very few relief pitchers are drafted in the first round, but Burdi will be the exception.  His fastball consistently hits 100 and his slider is in the low 90s range. Last year, had a 0.78 ERA and 61-Ks in 34.2-IP. Rumors are he will be moving to a rotation slot for his junior year.

9-29-13 – XMLBScout – 9.)RHP, Nick Burdi, Louisville, 6'4 220, R/R, one of my favorite pitchers in the TOS event a couple years back, this guy has an electric arm and is destined to finish games as a closer if he can command his secondary pitches, right now he possesses a fb that reaches 98, most fb with boring/sinking life are 94-95 and he hardly gets touched as he's deceptive with his slight across the body delivery from 3/4 slot. Slide piece can be a plus pitch when he has it all together and he's got a straight change that he needs to use more. Top 8-10 pick for 2014! http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/

 10-6-13 – Kendall Rogers/PG – College Prospects -  9. Nick Burdi, rhp, Louisville (Drafted: 2011, Twins -- 24th round) - Speaking of dominant arms, the 2013 Perfect Game College All-American has a bright future ahead both as a college junior and at the professional level. Burdi has an unreal arm with a fastball anywhere from 96-100, a plus slider in the upper 80s, low 90s and a changeup that continues to improve. Burdi is somewhat of a gamble putting him this high, this early. For instance, just one college reliever has been selected in the top 10 picks in the past five MLB drafts -- Stanford's Drew Storen, who went to the Washington Nationals in 2009. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9081

10-15-13 – Baseball America - 27. Nick Burdi, rhp, Louisville: The biggest pure arm in the draft class with a 100 mph fastball and low-90s slider; strictly a reliever. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/

11-4-13 – MLB Draft Insider - Top 14 for ’14: College Pitchers - 12. Nick Burdi / RHP / Louisville — He’s strictly a reliever, but potentially a very good one with a fastball that has touched triple digits and a slider that will give right-handed hitters fits. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2013/11/top-14-for-14-college-pitchers/

  11-27-13 – Big League Futures Top 25 Poll –   17 Nick Burdi    RHP Louisville http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/11/26/mlb-draft-top-25-prospects-poll/

B/R – 11-21-13 - 30. Boston Red Sox: Nick Burdi, RHP, University of Louisville - After appearing in only 14 games as a true freshman in 2012, Nick Burdi was absolutely dominating this past season as Louisville’s closer, posting a 0.76 ERA with 16 saves and a 62-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 35.2 innings. The 6’4”, 218-pound right-hander has grown into his frame over the last year and has seen his velocity jump as a result. Out of the bullpen, his fastball sits in the upper-90s and frequently eclipses triple digits. Meanwhile, his slider represents a second plus offering with devastating, wipeout break. If he’s ultimately moved into the starting rotation next year at Louisville—or when he turns pro after the season—Burdi may have to adjust his current low-three-quarters arm angle for durability reasons. However, part of his allure stems from the movement on all his pitches generated by said arm angle. Regardless of his role, Burdi’s arm strength and ability to miss bats has already made him one of the more talked about prospects in the 2014 draft class. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1860341-2014-mlb-mock-draft-early-first-round-projections-for-all-30-teams/page/10

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  46-RHP Nick Burdi Louisville 1/19/93- The top collegiate closer who consistently flirts with 100 off the bump. He is a high-energy pitcher who doesn’t waste any juice when he is throwing. He backs up his late moving fastball with a plus slider. Guys like Burdi tend to move through organizations fast so he would be a guy that you could see be the first from his class to reach the majors. (Out of first round- Brewers selection) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 29. St. Louis Cardinals — Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville - I just keep imagining a bullpen of Burdi, Trevor Rosenthal and Jason Motte — all three capable of hitting triple-digits on the radar gun. Burdi, a 6’-4”, 215 pound right-hander who most certainly will remain a reliever due to his lack of a third pitch, put together a monstrous season for Louisville last year. Over 35.2 innings, he posted a 0.76 ERA with 62 K/13 BB for a silly 15.7 K/9 ratio. Aside from his plus/plus fastball, he also adds a slider that sits in the 88-91 mph range and completely baffles hitters who are waiting on his fastball. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

1-20-14 – PG Preseason College All-Americans - Relief Pitcher - Nick Burdi, Louisville - 2013 Stats: 0.76 ERA, 35 2/3 IP, 62 K, 13 BB, .192 OPP BA - It’s not often a reliever is chosen in the top 10 picks of the MLB draft, but Burdi will put that consistent trend to the test next summer. Burdi, a strapping 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, will be very hard to turn down. He’s one of college baseball’s elite pitchers with a fastball in the mid- to upper-90s, touching 100 at times. He also possesses a slider in the low-90s and good overall stuff. Surprisingly, the UL coaching staff strongly believes Burdi will be even better as a junior than he was as a sophomore last season. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9294