Prospect Report:
Talking To The Future

David Cameron

Sean Burnett was a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000 out of Wellington High School in Florida, where he was a teammate of Bobby Bradley, the Pirates' first-round pick in 1999. Burnett was selected to the Futures Game after posting an 11-1 record with a Carolina League-leading 1.41 ERA in the first half of 2002. Just 19 years of age, he's one of the most interesting left-handed pitching prospects in the game today.

David Cameron: First off, congratulations on your successful season and on representing the USA in the Futures Game. How was the experience?

Sean Burnett: It was awesome. I'd never played in front of that many people before. I had no idea Miller Park was that big.

Cameron: How do you treat pitching in an exhibition like the Futures Game? Do you throw your best stuff knowing it's on national TV, or do you just relax and have fun knowing it doesn't count?

Burnett: The adrenaline is definitely flowing. I was throwing harder than normal. The crowd gets your juices flowing.

Cameron: You really struggled your last start, giving up all of 2 runs and raising your ERA all the way to 1.41. Do you think hitters have finally figured you out?

Burnett: Definitely not. I had trouble locating my fastball a bit, but I was pleased with the result, for not having my best stuff.

Cameron:Seriously though, lets talk pitching. By report, your fastball doesn't get above 89, though Baseball America is saying you hit 93 yesterday. Where'd that come from?

Burnett: I generally pitch between 89-92. I've hit 92 a few times every game. I can get it up there. I'm not sure where the soft-tossing label came from.

Cameron: Most high school first-round picks are big kids who throw hard and are projectable, but you're basically the opposite of that. Real polished, good changeup, advanced feel for the game. How'd you turn into a 19-year-old who pitches like a veteran?

Burnett: Essentially, once I got out of little league, my fastball was just above average. It wasn't a great pitch, so I had to learn the changeup and how to let hitters get themselves out. I watched a lot of big leaguers pitch and learned to hit my spots.

Cameron: The Pirates have mentioned they wanted you to improve your curveball. How's it coming along and how often do you throw it during a game?

Burnett: My curve is definitely coming along. Its the biggest improvement I've made this year. I'm throwing it from a good 3/4 arm angle and it's breaking down and in with more drop on lefthanders. That was my main problem last year. Lefties really hit my change well. With the curve, I can keep them off balance. I'll generally throw it around 10 times a game to set up my other pitches.

Cameron: Because your out pitch is the changeup, you don't throw hard, and your strikeout numbers are really low, people call you a young Jamie Moyer. Does that bother you at all, or do you try and pattern your style after a guy like him?

Burnett: I don't mind it. He's obviously a successful pitcher. I don't think we're that similar though. I prefer to pattern myself after Tom Glavine and Barry Zito.

Cameron: Lets talk about the strikeouts. You put the ball in play more often than almost any pitcher in the minor leagues, yet you just don't give up base hits. Why can you get batters to get themselves out while making contact when almost no other pitcher can?

Burnett: I had a good amount of strikeouts last year, but I realize I have a great defense behind me. Jose Castillo is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. I have a lot of trust that those guys can go get stuff. I've worked on throwing my two-seam fastball more this year, and that's not really a strikeout pitch. Its tough to get guys to miss that, but they hit a lot of ground balls with it.

Cameron: Despite your gaudy numbers against hitters three and four years older than yourself in the Carolina League, the Pirates haven't tested you in AA as of yet. It has to be frustrating knowing that you've essentially mastered the league and aren't getting a new challenge. Have the Pirates talked about you going to Altoona this year, or are you going to spend the last couple months in Lynchburg?

Burnett: It does get a little frustrating, but I just go out there and pitch my game and try to show them that I'm ready for the next level. I've heard some rumors I might be moving up in the next week or two, but I can't control that. Whatever they do, its their decision. I'm just going to go out and get batters out, no matter where I am.

Cameron: Switching gears a bit, how is Bobby Bradley doing? I'm guessing you guys talk pretty frequently.

Burnett: We talk about once a week. He's doing okay. He's throwing off the mound now, but he's definitely out for the year. He'll normally call me after a start just to see how I did.

Cameron: Bradley, like yourself, was a first-round pick straight out of high school. I'm sure you've heard the numbers, that high school first-round pitchers have a terrible success rate in the major leagues. How does watching your friend go down with a major injury like that treat you? Are you conscious of things like your own pitch count?

Burnett: I'm not like most high school first-round picks. I don't have the 97 MPH fastball that is there some days and isn't on others. I know when I come to the park I'm going to have the same stuff I had the last time out. I'm not overpowering, so it causes me to pitch more and throw less.

Cameron: What kind of offseason workout programs do you do to try and strengthen your endurance?

Burnett: I do a lot of running and I've started working out quite a bit. There's not a lot you can do for your arm. Its all about strengthening your legs so you can get more push. That way, you can reduce the stress on your arm.

Cameron: I've also heard you golf a lot in the offseason. How's your game?

Burnett: I was actually at scratch last offseason, but I haven't played in quite a while.

Cameron: Let's talk about some of your teammates for a second if you don't mind. I'll toss out their names and just give me a quick sentence on their future.

Burnett: Okay.

D.J. Carrasco - Unbelievable closer. Overpowering fastball.

Landon Jacobson - Hard thrower. Good number-two starter. Good sinker.

Jeff Bennett - Missed some time this year, but has a great slider.

Nate McLouth - The ultimate baseball player. Little guy, runs through walls. Great to watch and play with.

Chris Duffy - The best outfielder I've ever seen. He'll be in the major leagues within a year. He's that good.

Cameron: Besides your teammates, you've seen some pretty good players in the Carolina League this year. Anyone stand out to you?

Burnett: Brad Hawpe. That guy is the toughest out in the league. Really odd stance, takes a weird step when he swings, but he can really hit.

Cameron: What type of hitters give you the most problems?

Burnett: Probably the slap guys. I put the ball in play a lot, so the guys who can run and beat out infield singles give me a hard time.

Cameron: Lynchburg has a tremendous record this year. Does pitching on a contending team change the way you approach the game? Do you focus more on getting batters out than developing your pitches?

Burnett: Not really. I just go out and pitch my game. It helps my concentration, knowing everyday we have a chance to win. The atmosphere is a lot better when you're winning ballgames. But I'm not going to change the way I pitch.

Cameron: Do you have any goals on when you'd like to be in the big leagues?

Burnett: I'd like to be a September callup next year. That's my goal, the end of 2003.

Cameron: Well, you're certainly well on your way to the show. Good luck and thanks for taking the time to answer the questions.

Burnett: No problem.

about the author

David Cameron had been hoping to interview the woman who sang the National Anthem at the All-Star Game, but apparently she didn't want to talk to someone who referred to her as "what's-her-name who forgot the words." Maybe Pink's agent should give him a jingle at dac@strikethree.com.