Corbin Burnes

Corbin Burnes Bio

Corbin Brian Burnes is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on October 22, 1994, in Bakersfield, California, Burnes has made a significant impact in professional baseball since his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018. He is a four-time All-Star selection and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021, marking him as one of the top pitchers in the game. Burnes is known for his powerful six-pitch arsenal and has led the league in various statistical categories throughout his career, establishing himself as a vital asset to every team he has joined.

Early Life and Background

Corbin Burnes grew up in Bakersfield, California, where he attended Centennial High School. During his senior year in 2013, he emerged as a standout pitcher, posting a 9-4 win-loss record with a 2.23 earned run average across 22 appearances. His impressive high school performance caught the attention of college scouts across the country.

After graduating from Centennial High School, Burnes enrolled at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he played college baseball for the Gaels. In 2015, he spent his summer playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Orleans Firebirds, one of the premier collegiate summer leagues in the country. During his junior year in 2016, Burnes delivered an outstanding performance, going 9-2 with a 2.48 earned run average in 16 starts. His collegiate success set the stage for his professional career.

Path to Professional Baseball

Burnes was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Brewers before being promoted to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. In 2017, Burnes began the season with the Carolina Mudcats and was later promoted to the Biloxi Shuckers after recording an exceptional 1.05 earned run average through his first ten starts. He finished the 2017 season with a combined 8-3 record and a stellar 1.67 earned run average between both minor league teams. The Brewers recognized his dominance by naming him their minor league pitcher of the year after the season.

Corbin Burnes Career

Milwaukee Brewers Early Career (2018–2019)

MLB.com ranked Burnes as the Milwaukee Brewers’ second-best prospect heading into the 2018 season. He began the year with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox before receiving his first major league promotion on July 8, 2018. Burnes made his major league debut on July 10, pitching two scoreless innings while recording one strikeout and his first major league save. His postseason performance was even more remarkable, as he pitched four scoreless innings in relief across two appearances during the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies, including earning the win in the clinching 6-0 Game 3 victory. In the National League Championship Series, Burnes recorded the final six outs of their Game 6 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 2019 season presented challenges for Burnes. He began the year in the starting rotation but struggled, allowing 11 home runs across his first three starts. The team moved him back to the bullpen, where he continued to battle inconsistency, compiling a 9.00 earned run average through 26 appearances. Burnes was placed on the injured list on July 15 with shoulder discomfort and finished the season with a 1-5 record and an 8.82 earned run average in 49 innings pitched.

Breakthrough and Cy Young Season (2020–2021)

The shortened 2020 season marked a turning point for Burnes. He pitched to a 4-1 record with a 2.11 earned run average while striking out 88 batters in 59 and two-thirds innings. His performance earned him recognition as he finished sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting, signaling his emergence as an elite pitcher.

The 2021 season became the defining chapter of Burnes’ career. He began the year by striking out 40 batters without issuing a walk in his first four starts, an unprecedented achievement for an MLB starting pitcher. On May 13, 2021, Burnes set the MLB record for the most strikeouts to begin a season before issuing a walk, finishing with 58 and surpassing the previous record of 51 held by Kenley Jansen. On August 12, he tied an MLB record by striking out 10 consecutive batters in a game against the Chicago Cubs. On September 11, Burnes pitched the first eight innings of a combined no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians, recording 14 strikeouts while holding a perfect game until a seventh-inning walk. He finished the 2021 season with an 11-5 record and led the major leagues in earned run average (2.43), strikeouts per nine innings (12.6), home runs per nine innings (0.4), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.88). Burnes won the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the third Brewers pitcher to earn the honor. He was also named to the All-MLB First Team as a starting pitcher and served as the Game 1 starter in the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, pitching six shutout innings with six strikeouts.

Continued Dominance in Milwaukee (2022–2023)

Prior to the 2022 season, Burnes signed a $6.5 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration. The team named him their Opening Day starting pitcher, and he delivered another All-Star caliber season. In 2022, Burnes posted a 12-8 record with a 2.94 earned run average across 202 innings pitched, leading the league with 243 strikeouts. He was a finalist for the National League Gold Glove Award at pitcher. Prior to the 2023 season, Burnes went to salary arbitration with the Brewers, with the arbiter choosing the team’s $10.01 million figure over Burnes’ $10.75 million request. He publicly stated that the arbitration process definitely hurt his relationship with the franchise. Despite the tension, Burnes remained productive, starting for the Brewers on Opening Day and finishing with a 10-8 record and 3.39 earned run average with 200 strikeouts, earning his third consecutive All-Star selection.

Baltimore Orioles (2024)

On February 1, 2024, the Brewers traded Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for DL Hall, Joey Ortiz, and a compensatory draft pick. Burnes immediately became a rotation anchor for a rising Orioles franchise. He made 32 starts for Baltimore, pitching to a 2.92 earned run average with a 15-9 record and 181 strikeouts across 194 and one-third innings pitched. He earned his fourth consecutive All-Star selection while helping the Orioles remain competitive in the American League playoff picture. After the season, the Orioles extended the qualifying offer of $21.05 million for the 2025 season to Burnes, but he declined, becoming a free agent.

Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2025–Present)

On December 30, 2024, Burnes signed a landmark six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal represented a significant investment by the Diamondbacks in securing an elite starting pitcher for the foreseeable future. Burnes began the 2025 season pitching out of Arizona’s rotation, demonstrating his value immediately by posting a 3-2 record with a 2.66 earned run average and 63 strikeouts in 64 and one-third innings pitched over his first 11 starts. However, his season took a dramatic turn on June 1, 2025, when he left a game against the Washington Nationals in the top of the fifth inning after feeling tightness in his elbow. Subsequent testing revealed the extent of the injury, and Burnes underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Recovery from such a procedure typically requires an extended rehabilitation timeline, though the Diamondbacks remained optimistic about his long-term prognosis with their new ace.

Driving Style and Strengths

Burnes is classified as a power pitcher who features an impressive six-pitch repertoire. His primary offerings include a four-seam fastball that sits between 94-97 miles per hour, a sinker in the 95-97 miles per hour range, a changeup between 88-91 miles per hour, a slider at 86-89 miles per hour, a curveball between 80-83 miles per hour, and a cut fastball between 93-96 miles per hour. Beginning in 2020, Burnes virtually abandoned his four-seam fastball after discovering far greater success using his cutter as his primary weapon. During spring training of 2024, he added a second curveball that sits approximately 5 miles per hour faster than his primary curveball, deploying it specifically in strikeout situations. This pitch diversity makes him particularly effective at keeping opposing hitters off balance and unable to sit on any particular offering.

Notable Events and Milestones

Burnes’ career has been highlighted by several signature achievements. His 2021 season stands as his most decorated, capturing the National League Cy Young Award, earning All-Star honors, and being named to the All-MLB First Team. The combined no-hitter he pitched on September 11, 2021, against the Cleveland Indians remains one of the most dominant pitching performances in recent memory. His record-setting streak of 58 strikeouts to begin a season before issuing a walk showcased his ability to throw strikes with devastating stuff. The landmark six-year, $210 million contract he signed with Arizona in December 2024 established him as one of the highest-paid pitchers in the sport and validated his status as an elite MLB ace.

Corbin Burnes Career Wins

Throughout his major league career spanning from 2018 through the 2025 season, Burnes has established himself as one of the most consistent and dominant pitchers in baseball. His career statistics include a win-loss record of 63-38 with a 3.15 earned run average and 1,114 strikeouts across his MLB tenure.

Milwaukee Brewers Highlights

During his initial stint with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2018 to 2023, Burnes accumulated the majority of his career wins while establishing himself as the staff ace. His 2021 season was particularly spectacular, going 11-5 with a league-leading 2.43 earned run average. The 2022 campaign saw him post a 12-8 record while leading all National League pitchers with 243 strikeouts. His final season in Milwaukee resulted in a 10-8 record with 200 strikeouts, completing a remarkable six-year run that included his Cy Young Award season, multiple All-Star selections, and becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in strikeouts during his tenure.

Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks Highlights

Burnes’ single season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 proved he could perform at an elite level away from the National League. He went 15-9 with a 2.92 earned run average and 181 strikeouts, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and demonstrating his ability to dominate in any league. His abbreviated 2025 season with the Diamondbacks showed early promise with a 3-2 record and 2.66 earned run average through 11 starts before the injury setback.

Corbin Burnes Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Burnes is the son of Rick Burnes and Kandi Burnes. His family has provided a supportive foundation throughout his baseball career, from his early days playing at Centennial High School in Bakersfield through his rise through the minor leagues and into his major league career.

Personal Life

Burnes married his wife Brooke in 2020. The couple has built a family together, welcoming three children including a pair of twins. Despite the demands of a professional baseball career and the频繁 relocations that come with playing for different teams, Burnes has maintained a stable family life and frequently shares glimpses of his personal life with fans through social media. He maintains an active presence on Instagram where followers can stay connected with his career and family milestones.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season began with high expectations for Burnes following his landmark $210 million signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He entered the season as the anchor of Arizona’s starting rotation, bringing his proven track record of elite performance to a franchise looking to establish itself as a consistent contender in the National League. His early-season results validated the team’s investment, as he posted a 3-2 record with a 2.66 earned run average and 63 strikeouts across his first 11 starts, demonstrating the dominant form that had earned him Cy Young honors.

However, the season took an unfortunate turn on June 1, 2025, when Burnes left his start against the Washington Nationals after feeling tightness in his elbow during the top of the fifth inning. The injury prompted immediate medical evaluation, and testing confirmed the worst-case scenario for any pitcher. Burnes underwent Tommy John surgery, a reconstructive elbow procedure that typically requires 12 to 18 months of rehabilitation before a pitcher can return to game action. The injury ended his 2025 season prematurely and created uncertainty about his timeline for returning to the mound. The Diamondbacks organization expressed confidence in his eventual recovery while acknowledging the significant setback both for Burnes personally and for the team’s rotation plans. His resilience and work ethic suggested he would approach his rehabilitation with the same dedication that had made him one of baseball’s elite pitchers, but the road back to elite performance would demand patience and perseverance through a lengthy recovery process.