Dbacks Closer, Enrique Burgos?

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently in need of a closer and might have found a legitimate candidate. At the very least, the Dbacks might have found a piece to help their inconsistent bullpen. It’s still a small sample size, but it’s also a long way from someone who started 2015 in Mobile. We’re talking about Enrique Burgos, and he may be here to stay. So let’s get to know him.

Burgos is a 24-year old Panamanian that began his professional career in the Arizona organization back in 2008. Like most relievers, Burgos started off his career as a starting pitcher and slowly transitioned to the bullpen. His final season as a full time starter saw him go 4-6 with a 7.51 ERA in 2011.

May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Enrique Burgos against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, Burgos was closing out games for the Advanced Level A team, the Visalia Rawhide. Burgos went 3-3 with a 2.47 ERA and converted 29 of 30 save opportunities. Burgos struck out 83 hitters in 54 2/3 innings and held opponent bats to a .188 average. These numbers were good enough to be named an All Star in A-level ball.

It looked like Burgos was taking the long path to the majors. After all, he did spend entire seasons in variations of A-level ball. The next step on his journey would take him to AA Mobile to begin this season. Burgos converted all 6 of his save opportunities and didn’t allow a run. After Archie Bradley‘s trip to the DL, the Dbacks decided to forgo AAA Reno and called up Burgos to the show.

Burgos made his MLB debut on the same day of his call up. However, it was on May 3rd that Burgos started turning heads. Burgos entered in extra innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and proceeded to pitch two scoreless innings. Those couple innings were also hitless and saw him strike out 4 batters.

Apr 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Enrique Burgos (36) throws during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. This was Burgos

In fact, aside from his debut, Burgos has recorded a strikeout in each of his appearances. Burgos has had multiple strikeout appearances in 8 of his 10 MLB games. The dude has electric stuff and I’ve personally called him Enri-K for his recent performances.

His two most recent performances saw him collect two saves against the Miami Marlins. One factor in both of those games was the Brad Ziegler, the most effective bullpen pitcher, wasn’t available. In the first game, Ziegler had pitched a couple innings of relief and then Burgos took over later on in extra innings. The next day (due to him pitching two innings), Ziegler received the night off.

Whether it’s Ziegler, Burgos, or any other member of the Dbacks bullpen that receives the bulk of the save opportunities, it’s always welcome to have a live arm in important situations. With every performance that Burgos is registering, he’s solidifying himself more and more as a force in the bullpen.

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