Atlanta Braves Pad Bullpen of the Future Claim Danny Burawa

Friday the Braves claimed Former Yankee reliever

-seen here pitching during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros – off waivers and assigned him to Gwinnett Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

While everyone was talking about the Edwin Jackson signing the Atlanta Braves also announced that they claimed Danny Burawa off waivers from the Yankees.

Who is Danny Burawa and why is he here?

Danny Burawa (urr-ow-uh ) is a 26 year old (27 on December) RHP who graduated from Rocky Point New York High School and attended Suffolk Community College for a year before transferring to St John’s University.  In 2009 he played summer collegiate league ball for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League throwing 34 1/3 innings in 25 games posting a 5.50 ERA, 1.806 WHIP striking out 41 and walking 33  while recording six saves.

He red shirted the 2009 season but worked in relief for the Red Storm in 2010 appearing in 30 games and throwing 23 2/3 innings with a 4.18 ERA, 1.520 WHIP striking out 31 and walking 15 without allowing a home run. That summer he was selected by the Yankees in the twelfth round of the 2010 drafted and signed for a $300K bonus.

Minor Leagues

It’s easy to see why the Yankees drafted Burawa, he features a heavy sinker that can touch 95mph and has lots of late movement. His strikes out a man an inning and induces lots of ground ball outs. Hitters have been unable to lift and separate that sinker; he’s allowed just 13 home runs in 276 2/3 minor league IP.

Prior to the 2012 season injured his oblique costing him the minor league season. He returned for the Arizona Fall League but the rust showed and he was not treated well by hitters giving up 11 runs in his 11 2/3 IP. In 2013 however he was back in shape and had a fine season with AA Trenton throwing 66 innings in 46 games while recording 4 saves. He finished that year with a 2.59 ERA, 1.517 WHIP striking out 66 and allowing just one home run.

Here’s AZFL video of Burawa

In 2014 he started with Trenton and posted a 1.59 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 17 innings over 11 games before being promoted to AAA Scranton.  He struck out 55 hitters in 42 1/3 IP with Scranton but also gave up 47 hits and walked 42. He started this season with the AAA Rail Riders and appeared in 26 games posting a 1.75 ERA, 1.055 WHIP and allowing 2 home runs while striking out 30 and walking 17.