Ryan Burr

Ryan Matthew Burr Bio

Ryan Matthew Burr (born May 28, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Standing as a right-handed pitcher, Burr has contributed out of the bullpen and as a spot starter throughout his MLB career, compiling a 5-5 win-loss record with a 4.02 earned run average and 116 strikeouts across his major league appearances.

Early Life and Background

Ryan Burr grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, where he attended Highlands Ranch High School. During his high school career, Burr established himself as a talented pitcher, attracting attention from Major League Baseball scouts. His performance at the high school level positioned him for the next phase of his baseball development.

Following his graduation from Highlands Ranch High School, Burr continued his baseball journey at Arizona State University. He played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils, where he became a standout closer for the program. Burr concluded his collegiate career as the school record holder with 38 career saves, a testament to his consistency and reliability on the mound during his time in Tempe.

Path to Professional Baseball

Burr’s path to professional baseball began immediately after high school when the Texas Rangers selected him in the 33rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Burr chose not to sign with the Rangers and instead pursued his college baseball career at Arizona State. The decision allowed him to further develop his skills against collegiate competition while earning his degree.

After his junior year at Arizona State, Burr entered the 2015 MLB Draft. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the fifth round, investing in his potential as a future major league contributor. Burr signed with the Diamondbacks and began his professional career in their farm system, embarking on the typical development path for a young pitcher selected in the middle rounds of the draft.

Ryan Matthew Burr Career

Minor League Development (2015-2017)

Upon signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015, Burr made his professional debut with the Hillsboro Hops and later finished the season with the Kane County Cougars. In his first professional season, Burr impressed by posting a combined 4-1 record and 1.06 ERA across 34 innings pitched between both affiliates. The strong debut demonstrated his ability to translate college success to professional competition.

Burr returned to Kane County for the 2016 season, where he appeared in limited action due to injury, recording a 1-2 record with a 3.86 ERA in 23 innings. In 2017, he began the season with Kane County before earning a promotion to the Visalia Rawhide, continuing his progression through the Diamondbacks minor league system.

Chicago White Sox Era (2017-2022)

On August 11, 2017, the Chicago White Sox acquired Burr from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for international signing bonus pool money. The trade marked a significant opportunity for Burr to join an organization with a developing roster and a clear rebuilding strategy. Chicago assigned him to the Winston-Salem Dash to complete the 2017 season.

In 2018, Burr began the season with the Birmingham Barons, the White Sox Double-A affiliate, and earned a promotion to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights in late July. His strong performance at the minor league level, including a 1.08 ERA over 8 and one-third innings pitched with Charlotte, earned him a call-up to the majors on August 22, 2018. Burr made his MLB debut on August 24, retiring all four batters he faced and recording two strikeouts in a relief appearance against the Detroit Tigers.

Burr underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2019, which ended his season and caused him to miss the entirety of the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the minor league season. The White Sox non-tendered Burr after the 2019 season, but he re-signed on a minor league contract in December 2019 and again in November 2020. Burr returned to action in 2021, appearing in 34 games for Chicago and posting a 2.45 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 36 and two-thirds innings. He was released by the White Sox in June 2022 after eight appearances.

Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies (2022-2024)

Following his release from Chicago, Burr signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in August 2022. He spent the 2023 season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, recording a 3.09 ERA with 23 strikeouts across 23 and one-third innings before electing free agency in November 2023.

On December 12, 2023, Burr signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He reported to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and logged a 2.16 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 16 and two-thirds innings over 15 appearances. The strong minor league performance positioned Burr for another opportunity at the major league level.

Toronto Blue Jays (2024-2025)

On May 30, 2024, Burr was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. The following day, Toronto selected his contract, adding him to their active roster. Burr appeared in 34 games for the Blue Jays, making four starts, and compiled a 0-2 record with a 4.13 ERA and 47 strikeouts across 32 and two-thirds innings.

The 2025 season proved challenging for Burr. He began the campaign on the injured list due to right shoulder fatigue and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 27, 2025. Burr was activated on July 6 and made two scoreless appearances, recording one win and three strikeouts over two innings. However, he was placed directly back on the 60-day injured list on July 11 due to a right rotator cuff strain. It was subsequently announced that Burr would undergo season-ending surgery to address a capsule injury in his throwing shoulder.

Driving Style and Strengths

Burr has served primarily as a relief pitcher throughout his career, demonstrating the ability to work multiple innings when needed. His experience as a closer at Arizona State, where he set the school career saves record, translated to his professional approach of handling high-pressure situations. Burr appeared in both traditional relief roles and as a spot starter during his time with Toronto, showcasing versatility in his usage.

Notable Events and Milestones

Burr’s career has been marked by resilience through adversity. His recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2019 allowed him to return to the majors and establish himself as a reliable bullpen option. His MLB debut in August 2018 resulted in four consecutive outs and two strikeouts, providing an immediate positive first impression at the highest level. The trade to Toronto in May 2024 represented a fresh opportunity with a contending team, though his 2025 shoulder injury cut his season short.

Ryan Matthew Burr Career Wins

Across his MLB career with the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, Burr compiled a 5-5 win-loss record with a 4.02 ERA and 116 strikeouts. His career spans from 2018 through 2025, with interruptions due to injury and the 2020 pandemic cancelation.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Burr’s first major league win came during his 2025 season with Toronto, where he recorded three strikeouts over two scoreless innings of relief work. His best statistical season came in 2021 with Chicago, when he posted a 2.45 ERA across 34 appearances while striking out 33 batters in 36 and two-thirds innings. The 2024 season with Toronto saw Burr appear in a career-high 34 games, demonstrating his durability when healthy.

Minor League Achievements

Prior to his MLB debut, Burr recorded an outstanding 2015 professional debut with a combined 4-1 record and 1.06 ERA between Hillsboro and Kane County. His 2017 season with Chicago’s affiliates saw him post a 2-2 record with a 1.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 65 and one-third innings, solidifying his prospect status. His 2024 minor league stint with Lehigh Valley resulted in a 2.16 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 16 and two-thirds frames.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a significant setback for Burr. After beginning the campaign on the injured list due to right shoulder fatigue, he remained sidelined for an extended period before receiving activation in early July. Upon his return, Burr appeared in two scoreless games, recording one win and three strikeouts over two innings of work. The brief comeback was cut short when imaging revealed a right rotator cuff strain that required surgical intervention. Burr underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in mid-July 2025 to address a capsule injury, marking the second major arm surgery of his professional career. The recovery timeline will determine his availability for the 2026 season and beyond.