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2007 The first reaction that most people will have to A.J. Burnett`s 2006 is: `see, he got hurt again.` Still, there`s a lot to like about what he accomplished. He kept his ERA under 4.00, which is no small feat pitching in Rogers Centre against AL East opponents. His control numbers were the best of his career. And his mechanics improved in the second half, as he had more time to work with pitching coach Brad Arnsberg. Considering the inflation in the system, Burnett could well provide as much value over the remaining four years of his deal as any pitcher that was on this winter`s market. What, you`d rather have Gil Meche`s contract? 2006 One of the most sought-after free agents in a weak class, Burnett got the big wampum from the Blue Jays, signing for five years and $55 million, also known as `Dreifort Money.` But for being briefly sidelined by some elbow inflammation, Burnett stayed healthy for a change and had one of his strongest campaigns. Other than his history of ill health, Burnett`s fall clashes with management after a rough month were troubling--time has proved Burnett right about the Marlins being mismanaged, but management wasn`t the cause of his 5.93 ERA in September. Finally, as with all pitchers exiting the DH-free league and a friendly ballpark, at least half a run of ERA will be lost in translation. 2005 Burnett came back from Tommy John surgery in just over 13 months to post the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career, and he was devastating for much of the second half. The bad news is that inflammation in the repaired elbow shut him down in early September. No damage was found, and he made a token relief appearance on the last weekend of the season, so he has a green light. He could be a top-10 starter in 2005. 2003 Burnett’s impressive but flawed performance in 2001 was followed up by a very good season last year, and he’s assumed the mantle of Marlins ace. How long he’ll merit that title is a disturbing question; as a 25-year-old, Burnett pitched a league-leading nine games of more than 120 pitches, and he hit the DL in September with a “bone bruise.” Hopefully, Jeff Torborg will realize that Burnett’s health is more important to the franchise than a complete-game shutout with the team 10 games back in August, and go easier on him in 2003. 2002 One of the better mysteries in baseball right now is A.J. Burnett's strikeout rate. He throws hard, with a good knuckle-curve as a pitch he can use for strike three, and he's shown himself to be hard to hit at times. He's a hairsbreadth from exploding on the National League, and he’s a better candidate for the All-Star team this year than Beckett is. 2001 There was some concern that A.J. Burnett would miss the entire season after he ruptured a ligament in his pitching thumb in spring training. Much to management’s delight, he busted his tail in rehab and returned in late July, stronger than he was before the injury. Not surprisingly, he struggled to find a consistent rhythm after returning. The only thing nastier than Burnett’s repertoire (95-octane gas and a Mussina-like spike curve) is his mound personality. I expect him to strike fear in the league in 2001. 2000 There was considerable talk in the spring that Burnett would open the season in the major leagues, jumping from the Midwest League. He ended up at Portland, where he struggled and was eventually removed from the rotation. Burnett throws hard with a knee-buckling curveball and improving change-up and should be up for good by midseason. They’re nipple rings, people: get over it. 1999 A big Arkansas kid, and possibly the best thing they got from the Mets in their various deals. Yes, potentially better than Yarnall. Burnett had a very slow start, missing April and most of May with a broken hand. Coming back on strict pitch counts, he completely dominated the Midwest League. The translation should give you an idea: its extremely difficult to pitch well enough in a low A-league to get something that ends up looking this good. He has good mechanics and a deceptive delivery, throwing hard and mixing in a knuckle-curve and a good change. The future doesn’t get any brighter for a low A-ball pitcher than this.
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