Ryan Burr
Ryan Burr has been a solid addition to the Chicago White Sox bullpen this year.
After two Tommy John surgeries, including a season-ending one in 2019, Ryan Burr was an afterthought heading into the 2021 season. At the time, he was most famous for being teammates with Ian Hamilton in Triple-A Charlotte. Having Burr and Hamilton on the same team caught the attention of history buffs and music lovers alike.
Ryan Burr made a bold proclamation during the offseason. When the MLB asked fans on Twitter which player was about to have a breakout year, Ryan Burr responded by saying “me”. He then proceeded to string together 11 consecutive scoreless appearances to open the season. In those 11 games, he only allowed two hits.
The first earned run he allowed was on July 5th against the Minnesota Twins. Since August 17th, he has fired nine scoreless innings in 8 of his 11.2 innings pitched. Burr is no stranger to the late innings. He is the all-time saves leader for Arizona State and earned 2015 All-Pac-12 First-Team honors. That experience has carried that over to the White Sox this season.
For the season as a whole, opponents are hitting just .214 against him. His 11 runs allowed are the fewest amongst any White Sox pitcher with at least 30 innings thrown this season. He has recorded two holds and even started a game for the White Sox throwing two scoreless innings during a bullpen day against the Seattle Mariners. Ryan Burr has definitely flown under the radar for how effective he has been for Tony La Russa and company.