Chicago White Sox Prospect Zack Burdi May Have Tommy John Surgery

Whenever David Robertson departs the Chicago White Sox, top prospect Zack Burdi was expected to ascend to the closer role. His trip up the ladder will be delayed, as he may need to undergo Tommy John surgery.

The 26th overall selection in the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft, it did not take long for Zack Burdi to move through the Chicago White Sox farm system. He appeared at four different levels last year, reaching AAA by the end of 2016. Overall, he had posted a 3.32 ERA and a 1.132 WHiP, striking out 51 batters against 20 walks in 38 innings.

This season, Burdi was back in AAA, biding his time until David Robertson was traded. With his fastball that can touch 100 MPH, and three pitch arsenal, it was just a matter of time before he ascended to the White Sox closer role. However, those plans have been dashed, as Burdi may have torn his UCL.

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If that is indeed the case, Burdi would need to undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2017 season. Given the timing of the injury and procedure, his entire 2018 campaign would be in doubt as well.

Although Burdi has been inconsistent thus far for Charlotte, he had still displayed his immense potential. Overall, he had posted a 4.09 ERA and a 1.410 WHiP, largely due to his struggles to repeat his delivery and issues with command. Even when he was having those problems, Burdi was still tough to hit, striking out 51 batters in 33.1 innings while allowing only 30 hits. Those command issues were the only thing standing in the way of his major league debut.

Interestingly, he is not the only member of his family to potentially undergo the procedure. Nick Burdi, Zack’s older brother, needed Tommy John surgery back in May. It is certainly something to keep an eye on with both relief prospects, who could prove to be key parts of their rival bullpens.

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Zack Burdi is one of the more exciting relief prospects in the game, and the possible closer of the future for the Chicago White Sox. That future may just take a bit longer to get there, as Burdi may need to undergo Tommy John surgery.