Nick Burdi Bio
Nicholas Edward Burdi, born on January 19, 1993, is an American professional baseball pitcher whose career has been defined by an elite fastball and a remarkable ability to return from significant injuries. Burdi has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox, building a reputation as a hard-throwing relief pitcher across the sport. After signing with the New York Mets organization in 2025, he announced his retirement from professional baseball in May 2026.
A graduate of the University of Louisville, Burdi rose to prominence as one of the top pitching prospects in the country before injuries reshaped his professional trajectory. Over his MLB career, he accumulated a 3-2 win-loss record, a 5.34 earned run average (ERA), and 44 strikeouts. His journey through multiple organizations has made him a respected figure in the baseball community, particularly for his perseverance and dedication to the game.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Edward Burdi grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he attended Downers Grove South High School. A multi-sport athlete, he played baseball as a pitcher and football as a quarterback for the school’s teams. As a child and teenager, he also played for the Downers Grove Longshots, a local baseball program that helped develop his early skills. Before his junior year, Burdi decided to quit the football team to focus entirely on baseball, a choice that set the course for his future career.
During his high school years, Burdi’s talent on the mound became evident, as he was able to throw his fastball as fast as 95 miles per hour. His performance in the Area Code Games in the summer of 2010 drew the attention of professional scouts, including Keith Law of ESPN.com. Expected to be selected between the third and fifth rounds of the 2011 MLB Draft, Burdi lasted until the 24th round, where he was picked by the Minnesota Twins with the 748th overall selection. Choosing to pursue his education and further development, he did not sign with the Twins and instead enrolled at the University of Louisville.
Path to Baseball
At the University of Louisville, Burdi played college baseball for the Louisville Cardinals, where his velocity continued to climb. By his sophomore year, he could reach 100 miles per hour with his fastball, solidifying his status as one of the premier pitching prospects in college baseball. Pitching as the Cardinals’ closer, he recorded a 0.78 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 34+2⁄3 innings through his sophomore year, earning a spot on the United States national collegiate baseball team after the season.
During the summer following his sophomore year, Burdi played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur talent. As a junior at Louisville, he continued to dominate, posting a 0.49 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 37 innings. His exceptional college career positioned him as a top prospect for the 2014 MLB Draft.
Nick Burdi Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
The Minnesota Twins selected Nicholas Edward Burdi in the second round with the 46th overall pick of the 2014 MLB Draft. 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 his first professional season, he posted a 4.15 ERA in 13 innings before being promoted 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 but struggled with a 5.93 ERA, leading to a demotion back to Fort Myers in late June. After spending six weeks with Fort Myers, he was promoted back to Chattanooga, where he finished the season strong with a 1.77 ERA in 20+1⁄3 innings. The Twins assigned him to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League after the regular season. He pitched only three innings in 2016 due to a bone bruise in his right elbow, and in May 2017, he required Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, ending his season.
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. After recovering from surgery, Burdi was activated from the injured list to make his MLB debut on September 11, 2018, against the St. Louis Cardinals. In his rookie campaign, he made two appearances, surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in 1+1⁄3 innings of work.
Burdi made the Pirates’ Opening Day roster in 2019 and posted a 9.35 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 8+2⁄3 innings across 11 appearances. On June 25, 2019, he underwent thoracic outlet surgery to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, ending his season. In 2020, after a delayed start due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he made only three appearances before being placed on the injured list with a right elbow injury. In October 2020, Burdi underwent his second Tommy John surgery and was ruled out for the 2021 season. He was designated for assignment by the Pirates on November 1, 2020, and elected free agency on November 9.
San Diego Padres (2020–2022)
On December 22, 2020, Burdi signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He did not play in a game in 2021 as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery. Assigned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas to begin the 2022 season, he was released on April 21, 2022, without making an appearance. 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. Returning from surgery in 2023, he made 11 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, posting a 3.38 ERA with 19 strikeouts and five saves in 10+2⁄3 innings. On May 15, 2023, his contract was selected to the active roster, and he made three appearances for Chicago before being placed on the injured list on May 24 after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Following the season, he was removed from the 40-man roster and elected free agency on November 6, 2023.
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 he had earned one of the team’s final Opening Day bullpen roles. He posted a 1.86 ERA in 12 games to begin the season before being placed on the injured list with right hip inflammation on May 24. After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 23 and activated on August 1. Burdi was designated for assignment by the Yankees on September 7, 2024, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He elected free agency on October 1, 2024.
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 ERA with 25 strikeouts and three saves across 16+2⁄3 innings. On May 16, the Red Sox selected his 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, he suffered a hip injury and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 9. Activated on August 2, he was designated for assignment on August 11 and cleared waivers on August 13. Burdi elected free agency on October 8, 2025.
New York Mets (2025–2026)
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 ERA with three strikeouts across 4+1⁄3 innings. On May 5, 2026, Nicholas Edward Burdi retired from professional baseball, concluding a career defined by resilience and a relentless work ethic.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burdi’s career was built around an elite fastball that reached 100 miles per hour, making him a dominant force in the back end of bullpens. His ability to generate high velocity and strikeout batters was complemented by his experience as a closer at the University of Louisville, where he refined his command and composure in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Burdi’s career was his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 11, 2018, a long-awaited return after undergoing Tommy John surgery. His standout 2024 season with the New York Yankees, where he posted a 1.86 ERA in 12 games, also stood out as a milestone. Additionally, his 2025 performance with the Boston Red Sox, including a 0.54 ERA in Triple-A, demonstrated his continued effectiveness despite numerous injury setbacks.
Nick Burdi Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Nicholas Edward Burdi compiled a 3-2 win-loss record in the major leagues, with 44 strikeouts and a 5.34 ERA. While his MLB win totals were modest due to limited opportunities and frequent injury setbacks, his contributions in the minor leagues and his reputation as a reliable late-inning reliever underscored his value as a teammate and competitor.
Major League Highlights
Burdi’s most notable major league stretch came with the New York Yankees in 2024, when he posted a 1.86 ERA in 12 appearances. He also made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018, a milestone that capped a long recovery from Tommy John surgery. With the Boston Red Sox in 2025, he delivered four scoreless appearances before a foot contusion interrupted his season.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minor leagues, Burdi posted strong numbers, including a 0.54 ERA with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox in 2025 and a 3.38 ERA with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in 2023. He also recorded a 1.77 ERA with the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2015, demonstrating his potential when healthy.
Nick Burdi Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Nicholas Edward Burdi comes from an athletic family rooted in Downers Grove, Illinois. His older brother, Drew, was an All-State quarterback who played football for Downers Grove South High School and Western Michigan. His younger brother, Zack, also pursued a professional baseball career, pitching in Major League Baseball from 2020 to 2023, making the Burdi brothers a notable pair in the sport.
Personal Life
Burdi’s dedication to baseball has been a central theme in his life, with his family’s athletic background providing a strong foundation for his career. His decision to quit football in high school to focus on pitching marked the beginning of his singular commitment to the sport, a choice that ultimately led to a professional career spanning multiple organizations.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Nicholas Edward Burdi began the season with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox after signing a minor league contract in February. He delivered a dominant performance, posting a 3-0 record and 0.54 ERA with 25 strikeouts and three saves in 13 appearances. His strong play earned him a promotion to the major league roster on May 16, where he made four scoreless appearances for the Boston Red Sox before a foot contusion placed him on the injured list on June 3.
While rehabbing in Triple-A, Burdi suffered a hip injury, leading to a transfer to the 60-day injured list on July 9. After being activated on August 2, he was designated for assignment on August 11 and later sent outright to Triple-A Worcester. Despite the setbacks, his 2025 campaign reaffirmed his ability to contribute at a high level when healthy, paving the way for his subsequent signing with the New York Mets organization in November.