As we inch closer to the 2022 MLB season beginning on April 7, many former Alabama Baseball players will be taking the field across the next five-to-six months at multiple different levels, in both the major and minor leagues.
When looking at that massive group of players as well, one name to keep an eye on in particular as we enter the year is left-hander Thomas Burrows, a former Crimson Tide standout that could potentially make his MLB debut at some point during the 2022 season.
Former Alabama Baseball reliever Thomas Burrows on verge of MLB debut in 2022
A former standout reliever with the Crimson Tide from 2014-16, Burrows is a former fourth round pick by the Seattle Mariners in the 2016 MLB Draft. The southpaw’s time with the organization would not last long however as Burrows would be traded to the Atlanta Braves about seven months later as part of a multi-player deal.
Having spent since 2017 in the Braves organization, Burrows reached the Triple-A level for the first time during the 2019 season, making a total of 27 relief appearances with a 4.75 ERA. His return to Triple-A however had to wait a year due to no minor league season in 2020, with the left-hander returning to Triple-A Gwinnett a year ago where he spent all of the 2021 campaign.
A successful season for the left-hander, Burrows would make a total of 35 appearances for the Stripers a year ago, posting a 2.64 ERA with a 67:34 K:BB across 47.2 IP. Now entering his age 27 season, could Burrows potentially make his MLB debut with the Braves in 2022?
Holding a career 2.90 ERA across 263.2 IP in the minor leagues, Burrows will likely begin the 2022 season with Triple-A Gwinnett once again. Depending on how he begins the year however, could Burrows potentially join the bullpen for the defending World Series champions at some point this season?