March 18, 2008
For Lack of a Nail
The loss of a fingernail forced A.J. Burnett to develop a new pitch:
"I've talked about it seven out of 10 springs, when I'm not hurt," Burnett smiled. "But it's really opened my eyes this time. I could have put a (fake) nail on a week-and-a-half or two weeks ago if I wanted to, but I really wanted to take this opportunity to get it down and be a four-pitch pitcher instead of a two. I talk to Doc more and more often. Pitching instead of just throwing. Hopefully, I'll keep a positive mind about it."
Burnett's problem has forever been inconsistency. He has a great belief in his fastball and curveball and has managed to get by. However, the Jays and Burnett need far more than for him just to get by. Here's a guy who has a career high of just 12 wins in a season and is in his 10th campaign in the bigs. With an opt-out season looming, he needs far more than he has given any team thus far. Maybe one nail will build him a new home.
The inconsistency mentioned has more to do with ability than injury. Burnett is that rare pitcher with both high strikeout and ground ball rates. A changeup gives him a good pitcher another weapon.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:32 AM
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