Beau Burrows was settling into his hotel room in Charlotte, North Carolina when his phone rang unexpectedly one late Saturday night. Just a couple of days earlier, on March 21, the Twins had let go of the right-hander, voiding the minor-league contract he had signed back in January. With his plans altered, Burrows and his wife had headed to North Carolina to train at Tread Athletics, a pitching facility, to stay prepared.
Reflecting on the situation, Burrows described it as an unusual turn of events. His time with Minnesota didn’t go according to plan, leading to his release just a week before spring training ended. However, his fortunes changed swiftly when his agent phoned with an offer from the Phillies for a minor-league deal. Without hesitation, he abandoned his Charlotte plans and drove to Clearwater, Florida to join the Phillies. Signing on March 25, he completed the remainder of Spring Training with the team.
Following this, Burrows found himself assigned to Double-A Reading. At the team’s media day in their new clubhouse at FirstEnergy Stadium, he stood out as the sole player on the initial roster with major-league experience. Despite the twists and turns, Burrows expressed his excitement for the opportunity ahead.
As Reading prepared to open their season at Bowie’s Prince George’s Stadium, Burrows reflected on his journey in professional baseball. Drafted by the Tigers in the first round in 2015, he enjoyed success in the lower minors as a starter but faced challenges upon reaching Triple-A, particularly battling injuries in 2019. Despite his struggles, the Tigers called him up to the majors in 2020, where he made a handful of appearances before being claimed by the Twins in 2021, with whom he had limited success.
The following two seasons saw Burrows playing a mix of roles in the minors with the Dodgers and Braves organizations. Now with the Phillies, he anticipates primarily pitching from the bullpen, drawing on his varied experiences to excel in his new environment.
Despite his journeyman status, Burrows remains focused on consistency and leadership. Manager Al Pedrique believes Burrows’ presence will benefit the team, not only as a mentor but also as a skilled pitcher with the potential for a resurgence in his career. For Burrows, it’s about seizing the opportunity, demonstrating his abilities on the field, and aiming for the consistency he’s been seeking.
