Nicholas Edward Burdi Bio
Nicholas Edward Burdi is an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox from 2018 to 2025. Burdi was selected in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins and has built a reputation as a power pitcher with a fastball that has reached triple digits. He is currently in the New York Mets organization, having signed a minor league contract in November 2025. Burdi pitched collegiately for the University of Louisville Cardinals, where he served as the team’s closer and established himself as one of the top prospects in college baseball.
Early Life and Background
Burdi grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, and attended Downers Grove South High School. During his high school career, he served as both a pitcher on the baseball team and a quarterback on the football team. Before his junior year, Burdi made the decision to quit the football team to concentrate fully on baseball. His dedication to the sport was evident early on, as he was already throwing his fastball at speeds up to 95 miles per hour as a high school student. In the summer of 2010, Burdi participated in the Area Code Games, a prestigious showcase for amateur baseball talent, where his performance attracted attention from professional scouts, including Keith Law of ESPN.com.
After his senior season at Downers Grove South, Burdi entered the 2011 MLB Draft expecting to be selected somewhere between the third and fifth rounds. However, he lasted until the 24th round, where the Minnesota Twins chose him with the 748th overall pick. Rather than signing with the Twins, Burdi decided to pursue his education and play college baseball, a decision that would shape his trajectory toward professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
Burdi enrolled at the University of Louisville, where he played for the Louisville Cardinals baseball team beginning in 2012. He also spent the summer after his sophomore year playing collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, widely regarded as one of the top amateur summer leagues in the country. By his sophomore year at Louisville, Burdi had developed his fastball to reach 100 miles per hour, making him one of the most intimidating relievers in college baseball.
Pitching primarily as the Cardinals’ closer, Burdi posted exceptional numbers. Through his sophomore year, he recorded a 0.78 earned run average with 61 strikeouts in 34 and two-thirds innings pitched. Following his sophomore season, he earned a spot on the United States national collegiate baseball team. As a junior, Burdi continued his dominance with a 0.49 earned run average and 65 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched. His outstanding collegiate career established him as a top prospect for the 2014 MLB Draft.
Nicholas Edward Burdi Career
Minnesota Twins Organization (2014–2017)
Burdi was considered one of the top prospects heading into the 2014 MLB Draft. The Minnesota Twins selected him in the second round with the 46th overall selection. He signed with the Twins on June 25, receiving a $1,218,800 signing bonus, and reported to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single-A Midwest League. In 13 innings with Cedar Rapids, Burdi posted a 4.15 earned run average, and the Twins promoted him to the Fort Myers Miracle of the High-A Florida State League in August.
Burdi opened the 2015 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-A Southern League. He struggled during the first half of the season, recording a 5.93 earned run average, which led to a demotion back to Fort Myers in late June. After spending six weeks with Fort Myers, the Twins promoted Burdi back to Chattanooga, where he finished the season strong with a 1.77 earned run average in 20 and one-third innings pitched. Following the regular season, the Twins assigned him to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League for additional development.
Injury Setbacks (2016–2017)
The 2016 season was derailed by injury, as Burdi pitched only three innings due to a bone bruise in his right elbow. He began the 2017 season with Chattanooga but faced a significant setback when he required Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in May 2017. The injury ended his season and raised concerns about his future as a power pitcher.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2018–2020)
On December 14, 2017, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Burdi in the Rule 5 draft and traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for $500,000 of international signing bonus money. Burdi spent most of 2018 recovering from his Tommy John surgery before being activated from the injured list on September 1, 2018. He made his Major League Baseball debut on September 11, pitching one-third of an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. Burdi appeared in only two games during his rookie season, surrendering 4 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in one and one-third innings of work.
Burdi made the Pirates’ Opening Day roster in 2019. In 11 appearances, he posted a 9.35 earned run average with 17 strikeouts in eight and two-thirds innings pitched. On June 25, 2019, Burdi underwent thoracic outlet surgery to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. The 2020 season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Burdi made only three appearances before being placed on the injured list with a right elbow injury. In August 2020, he received a platelet-rich plasma injection to avoid surgery. However, in October 2020, Burdi underwent his second career Tommy John surgery, which ruled him out for the 2021 season. The Pirates designated him for assignment on November 1, 2020, and he elected free agency shortly thereafter.
San Diego Padres (2021–2022)
On December 22, 2020, Burdi signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He did not play in a game during the 2021 season as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Burdi was assigned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas to begin the 2022 season but was released on April 21 without making an appearance for the organization. He re-signed with San Diego on a minor league contract on May 4.
Chicago Cubs (2023)
On December 7, 2022, the Chicago Cubs selected Burdi from the Padres in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Burdi returned from surgery in 2023, making 11 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and posting a 3.38 earned run average with 19 strikeouts and five saves in 10 and two-thirds innings pitched. On May 15, 2023, the Cubs selected Burdi’s contract to the active roster. He made three appearances for Chicago before being placed on the injured list on May 24 after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 13. Following the season, Burdi was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Iowa, and he elected free agency on November 6.
New York Yankees (2024)
On December 21, 2023, Burdi signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. On March 25, 2024, the Yankees announced that Burdi had earned one of the team’s final Opening Day bullpen roles. He posted a 1.86 earned run average in 12 games to begin the season, but was placed on the injured list with right hip inflammation on May 24. After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection, Burdi was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 23 and was activated on August 1. He was designated for assignment by the Yankees on September 7, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on September 9. Burdi elected free agency on October 1.
Boston Red Sox (2025)
On February 28, 2025, Burdi signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. In 13 appearances for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, he posted a 3-0 record and 0.54 earned run average with 25 strikeouts and three saves across 16 and two-thirds innings pitched. On May 16, the Red Sox selected Burdi’s contract, adding him to their active roster. He made four scoreless appearances for Boston before being placed on the injured list with a foot contusion on June 3. While rehabbing with Worcester, Burdi suffered a hip injury, and he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 9. He was activated from the injured list on August 2 and was designated for assignment by the team on August 11. Burdi cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Worcester on August 13. He elected free agency on October 8.
New York Mets (2025–Present)
On November 25, 2025, Burdi signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. He made five appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, recording a 2.08 earned run average with three strikeouts across four and one-third innings pitched. On May 5, 2026, Burdi announced his retirement from professional baseball, concluding a career that spanned eight professional seasons and four Major League Baseball organizations.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Burdi was known throughout his career as a power pitcher with a fastball that could reach triple digits. His high-velocity offerings made him particularly effective in high-leverage relief situations, where his ability to generate swings and misses proved valuable. Throughout his career, Burdi worked to overcome various injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries, a bone bruise, and thoracic outlet syndrome, demonstrating resilience in the face of setbacks that would have ended many careers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Burdi’s career highlights were his selection as the 46th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 11, 2018, and earning an Opening Day bullpen role with the New York Yankees in 2024. His second stint with Triple-A Worcester in 2025 saw him post dominant numbers, including a 0.54 earned run average and three saves, which earned him a return to the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox.
Nicholas Edward Burdi Career Wins
Burdi’s Major League Baseball career spanned portions of six seasons from 2018 to 2025. Across his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox, he accumulated a career win-loss record of 3-2 with a 5.34 earned run average and 44 strikeouts in 49 and one-third innings pitched.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Burdi made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 11, 2018, against the St. Louis Cardinals. His most productive stretch came in 2024 with the New York Yankees organization, where he posted a 1.86 earned run average in 12 relief appearances before being sidelined by injury. His final MLB stint came with the Boston Red Sox in 2025, where he recorded four consecutive scoreless appearances before landing on the injured list.
Minor League and Recovery Performances
Throughout his career, Burdi demonstrated the ability to dominate in minor league settings when healthy. His 2025 Triple-A performance with Worcester, where he went 3-0 with a 0.54 earned run average and three saves in 16 and two-thirds innings, exemplified his ability to pitch effectively at the highest minor league level. His career was frequently interrupted by injuries, but his resilience allowed him to continue pursuing his professional baseball career into his early thirties.
| Team | Games | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 16 | 1 | 1 | 7.71 | 19 |
| Chicago Cubs | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 4 |
| New York Yankees | 16 | 1 | 1 | 4.02 | 15 |
| Boston Red Sox | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 |
Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Burdi comes from an athletic family with strong ties to both baseball and football. His older brother, Drew, was an All-State quarterback who played football for Downers Grove South High School and continued his career at Western Michigan University. Burdi’s younger brother, Zack, also pursued professional baseball and pitched in Major League Baseball from 2020 to 2023, making the Burdi family one of the select families in American sports with multiple brothers reaching the major league level.
Personal Life
Throughout his professional career, Burdi maintained connections to his Illinois roots while pursuing his baseball career across multiple organizations. He has been active on social media, where he has shared updates about his baseball journey with fans. His career was marked by perseverance through significant injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries and multiple other setbacks, which he overcame to return to professional baseball at the highest level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a remarkable resurgence for Burdi after years of injury setbacks. Signed to a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox in February, Burdi reported to Triple-A Worcester and posted dominant numbers, going 3-0 with a 0.54 earned run average and three saves in 13 appearances. His performance caught the attention of the Red Sox coaching staff, leading to his contract selection to the active roster on May 16.
Burdi made four consecutive scoreless appearances for Boston before suffering a foot contusion that landed him on the injured list on June 3. While completing his rehab assignment with Worcester, he experienced a hip injury that required placement on the 60-day injured list on July 9. He was activated on August 2 and returned briefly before being designated for assignment on August 11. After clearing waivers and being sent outright to Triple-A Worcester, Burdi finished the season with the organization before electing free agency in October. Following his stint with the New York Mets organization in late 2025, he announced his retirement on May 5, 2026, concluding a career defined by electric stuff and remarkable resilience.