Sean Burnett

Burnett looked to be on track to return in the beginning of last season after having elbow surgery in August of 2013, but a series of setbacks delayed the 32-year-old's debut until late May. Burnett was appearing in just his third game before once again feeling pain in his elbow. In an unfortunate turn of events, it became clear that Burnett had torn his UCL, forcing him to undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. The Angels declined his $4.5 million option in October, exercising a $500,000 buyout instead. Burnett will presumably test the free-agent waters this offseason, and while he had one of his best years in 2012 with the Nationals, when he tallied a 2.38 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 56.2 innings, his market after undergoing yet another major surgery remains to be seen as his ability to contribute in 2015 is uncertain.

Burnett's season was lost to injury in 2013, as a nagging elbow problem led to season-ending surgery in August, after throwing just 9.2 innings. The left-handed reliever signed with the Angels in December of 2012, after posting an impressive 2.38 ERA in 56.2 innings with the Nationals. While it is unlikely that he will duplicate the 9.1 K/9 or 1.9 BB/9 rates from that campaign, he should be a useful arm out of the bullpen when he returns this season, as his career rate of 0.9 HR/9 will undoubtedly be a welcome sight for what was a struggling Halos relief squad a year ago.

Burnett lost some steam on his fastball last year, but instead of that hurting his performance his numbers soared. A 1.9 BB/9 rate cures a lot of ills, but so does a ridiculous 84.6 percent strand rate, and if either of those numbers slip (and the strand rate pretty much has to) Burnett could be in for a tough 2013. He turned down an option with the Nationals to go hunting for a long-term deal this offseason, and the Angels signed him to a two-year deal to work in a setup role. He had surgery to remove a bone spur from his left elbow in October, but is expected to be healthy in spring training.

Burnett took a step back in terms of ERA because of a drop in his strikeout rate. His 5.24 K/9IP was a career low, and it was a significant decline from his 8.86 K/9IP in 2010. However, his 2011 swinging strike percentage of 7.7 percent (8.3 percent in 2010) indicates that decline was something of an aberration. Additionally, his average fastball velocity of 91.4 mph represented a career high. The Nationals will continue to deploy him as a setup man and not a purely as LOOGY, because of his above average change-up to complement his slider.

The left-hander had his second straight very good season, improving his K/9IP, BB/9IP and G/F rates and cementing his spot in the Nationals' bullpen. The club's lack of a second portsider leaves Burnett stuck in a LOOGY role more often than not despite allowing an eye-popping .487 OPS to right-handed hitters in 2010. So, in theory, Burnett could still see his fantasy value improve with a better assignment even if last season proves to be his statistical high-water mark.

Burnett emerged as a nice bullpen arm last season, and proved to be a solid pickup for the Nationals when they got him in the Lastings Milledge/Nyjer Morgan deal. Righties didn't hit him any harder than lefties did, which should help him stay out of the LOOGY ghetto, and he could even pick up the odd save here and there in 2010. He doesn't have the strikeout pitch to be a classic stopper, though, and will be a more comfortable fit as a setup guy or in middle relief.

By winning his first game since 2004, Burnett became one of the few "feel good" stories within the Pirates' organization last year. Shoulder and elbow surgeries seemed to follow the lefty around after Pittsburgh took him with its first pick in the 2000 draft. Working his way back to the Bucs, Burnett went 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in 56.2 innings. He constantly flirted with trouble, as evidenced by a 42:34 K:BB ratio and a 1.61 WHIP. Burnett will vie for a bullpen job in 2009, attempting to craft out a career as a left-handed specialist.

Burnett complained about being overlooked by the organization after the team chose Tom Gorzelanny out of spring training over him. Burnett threw 11.1 scoreless Grapefruit League innings while Gorzelanny posted a 7.96 mark. Burnett did little to make the decision look like a poor one, before being shut down with elbow problems. Burnett was once one of Pittsburgh's brightest prospects, but that light has dimmed over the last several years and it doesn't look like Burnett will ever amount to much at the big league level. He's out of options so he'll become a free agent unless he makes the team out of spring training.

The Pirates' Minor League Player of the Year in both 2001 and 2002, Burnett got a taste of big-league action in 2004 and went 5-5 with an unimpressive 5.02 ERA. He's battled health issues since then, namely a bum elbow and shoulder, and missed the entire 2005 campaign. As a result, Burnett was simply looking to take the mound every fifth day in 2006 with Triple-A Indianapolis and he succeeded. His numbers weren't great -- 8-11 with a 5.16 ERA and 1.51 whip -- but he led the Indians with 120.1 innings pitched. The 24-year-old lefty could win 10-12 games in the big leagues, but a trade might help him accomplish that feat.

Back before Zach Duke arrived on the scene, Burnett was recognized as one of the Pirates' brightest pitching prospects. He had Tommy John surgery in 2004 and had a setback while working his way back last spring. He then needed additional surgery and missed all last season as a result. He's a considerable health question mark entering 2006 as a result.

Burnett underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in September and will miss all of the 2005 big league season. The Pirates hope that he can begin a throwing program by the start of Spring Training and possibly pitch on a minor league rehab assignment later in the year. The Tommy John surgery that he underwent has become pretty common in the past decade, and pitchers are typically able to return at close to full strength about a year after the procedure. With that prognosis in mind, look for the rebuilt Burnett to be back in the Pirates rotation mix in 2006.

Burnett, a lefty, was named the Eastern League pitcher of the year, put up some nice numbers in 2003 - 14-6, 3.21 ERA, just 29 walks (vs. 86 K's) in 159.2 IP -- all while pitching in Double-A before turning 21 last September. Some are turned off by the fact that his fastball is pedestrian, topping out in the upper 80's, but the poised youngster has an outstanding changeup and makeup to offset that. He's probably a longshot to start the season in the Bucs' rotation, but he could finesse his way onto the big league roster by 2005, if not sooner.

Beware of prospects with low strikeout rates. As much polish as Burnett is purported to have, real pitching prospects don’t strike out fewer than six men per nine innings in the Carolina League. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, and what he throws he keeps down in the zone. That act won’t work at the higher levels.