13-9, 4.04 ERA, 207 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 195 SO, 97 BB
Now compare that to his 2010 campaign:
10-15, 5.26 ERA, 186.2 IP, 1.51 WHIP, 145 SO, 78 BB
His stats have spiked up in the wrong places and subsequently spiked down in the wrong areas as well. If you want a frame of reference, the Yankees have been in existence for over 100 years and AJ Burnett's 5.26 ERA is the worst ever recorded for a starting pitcher with at least 180 innings pitched. Despite these seemingly gloom and doom numbers, I have an optimistic view for AJ Burnett's 2011 season for several reasons.
1. No one repeats their worst season.
Clearly this is AJ Burnett's worst season in his career, while still being healthy. In his career Burnett has not been spectacular but he has always been a consistent player with slightly above average numbers. Although his numbers are only slightly above average, Burnett is capable of matching zeros with any pitcher in baseball. With his ability and a supporting cast behind him, count on Burnett having a bounce-back year. Which brings me to my next point.
2. Larry Rothschild
Dave Eiland, after what most considered a successful campaign, will no longer be the Yankees pitching coach. His replacement will be 15 year coaching veteran Larry Rothschild. In his career, Rothschild has won 2 World Series rings as both a bullpen coach and a pitching coach. Rothschild, before coming to the Yankees, was the pitching coach for the Chicago Cubs. It was clear Burnett needed someone new as Eiland, who was regarded as the pin holding the grenade that was Burnett last season together, could not manage to right Burnett. Having coached for almost 26 years now, Rothschild has encountered his fair share of "project" pitchers. From Rob Dibble to Carlos Zambrano, the new Yankees pitching coach will not be daunted by the prospect of fixing Burnett. Rothschild has the credentials to produce a successful season out of everyone on the pitching staff, including Burnett.
3. Burnett's Attitude
I am of the belief that AJ Burnett has a very firm grip on reality. When I watch Burnett's press conferences or post-game interviews I am not watching a man who is lying to himself or the media. He always knows when he performed well and when he did not. Much like Pedro Martinez, now infamously, Burnett takes full responsibility for when he fails. He knows he made the mistakes. Additionally Burnett falls under the caption of a gamer. He loves to win and loves to come up big when people need him to.
4. Game 4 of the 2010 ALCS
AJ Burnett as we all remember lost this game. However this game holds some bright spots that Yankee fans should remember. It should be noted that Burnett had not pitched in an actual game in 17 days. For a frame of refernce that is around 4 starts that Burnett "missed". After that long of a layoff any pitcher would have a certain amount of rust to shake off. Factor in the poor showings Burnett had experienced earlier in the season and you are left with very low expectations. Despite these odds stacked against him, Burnett did pitch a good game. He had his typical blow-up inning in the third in which he walked a batter, threw a wild pitch and hit a batter. He gave up 2 runs that inning and all things considered he minimized the damage. The big blow in the game came later in the 6th inning. In this inning Burnett gave up a quick single and then got the next 2 batters out. Up came David Murphy and Girardi elected to walk Murphy in order to set up the double-play. Burnett subsequently missed his spot and gave up a 3 run homerun to Bengie Molina. He quickly got the last out but the damage had been done as the 1-run lead had turned into a 2-run deficit. There is a small debate whether or not Burnett should have pitched to Murphy and also if Joba Chamberlain should have pitched to Molina. Regardless, aside from that pitch to Molina AJ Burnett was on his game. He pitched a very solid game and even when he left the Yankees were still within striking distance. It was not his fault that the Yankees could not score more than 3 runs that game. Everyone in the world expected Burnett to get rocked and he didn't. He came through and gave the Yankees a solid performance when they desperately needed one.
5. Game 2 of the 2009 World Series
In my eyes this game is why AJ Burnett deserves a chance this coming season. Let me bring you back to the time. Cliff Lee had absolutely dominated the Yankees throwing a 1 run complete game. Moreover the Phillies lineup looked unstoppable the way they pounded on both Sabathia and a bullpen that had been solid down the stretch. With homefield advantage lost the Yankees risked going down 2-0 with 3 games to be played in Philadelphia against the reigning World Series champions. To compound matters further, Pedro Martinez, the Yankees old nemesis, returned to the Bronx and pitched like the Martinez of old allowing 3 runs in 6 innings and striking out 8. However AJ Burnett matched Martinez pitch for pitch and eventually ended up out-dueling him. Burnett's line that night was 7 IP, 1 run and 9 strikeouts. Providing the Yankees everything they needed, AJ Burnett came up huge on the biggest stage of them all and was downright unhittable all night. If not for Burnett's performance the Yankees might not have won that game and consqeuntly could have been swept out of the World Series. AJ Burnett's performance that night swung the momentum back in favor of the Yankees and ultimately lead to the Yankees winning the World Series.
Burnett can be great or he can be awful. Hopefully I have swayed you to believe that Burnett will bounce back and have another fine season in 2011.
