The Phillies announced a slate of non-roster invitees to spring training Thursday, most of which were for in-house minor leaguers or minor league free agent signees whose contracts had been widely reported. Among the list was right-hander Ryan Burr. It deal was reported last month by Phillies Tailgate on X.
A 29-year-old right-hander who’s spent parts of four big league seasons with the White Sox, Burr spent the 2023 campaign in the Rays’ system after signing a minor league pact last winter. He logged 23 1/3 innings for Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate and posted a 3.09 ERA with sharp 25% strikeout rate and superlative 3.3% walk rate.
In what’s been a familiar refrain for Burr throughout his career, however, he was on and off the injured list throughout the season. Burr missed time in 2022 with a shoulder strain and missed the entire 2020 season following Tommy John surgery. He also dealt with an injured AC joint in his shoulder earlier in the 2019 season that was cut short by that TJS procedure.
Burr has just 75 innings in the big leagues but showed in 2021 what he can do at his best. That season saw him notch a 2.45 ERA in a career-high 36 2/3 frames, fanning 22% of his opponents and keeping the ball on the ground at a 57% clip. Burr’s 13.9% strikeout rate that season was clearly problematic, as is the overall 12.2% walk rate he sports in his big league career. Walks weren’t an issue with the Rays’ top minor league affiliate last year, however, and if he can carry some of that newfound command over into 2024 he’ll be an interesting add to the team’s depth chart.
DarkSide830
I do hate to be that guy but this news is like a month old.
VonPurpleHayes
One might say this news story is…cold.
cpdpoet
Guy’s bball ref page looks like DJ Qualls?
paddyo furnichuh
He have a slightly pointy nose, but at 6’4″ 220 lbs, no one is mistaking him for the actor of slight build with the memorable face.
But no one is going to mistake him for Brian Dozier either.
WhoNoze
Raymond Burr was not of “slight build”, so I assume that was sarcasm.
WhoNoze
Burr was 6-200 and much more in his later years.
cpdpoet
And he was “light in the loafers” the entire time…..
paddyo furnichuh
The actor I was referring to was in response to CDPH mentioning DJ Qualls and possible resemblance to Ryan Burr
88 Brooklyn Dodgers
2024 World Series Champions. OWN IT.
cpdpoet
Dylan Covey just felt a shiver up his spine.
As for the slate of invitees….which names?
VonPurpleHayes
Covey is a garbage-time hero.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
I thought the original Headline said, the Phillies sign Raymond Burr
I was like, i could go for that, but alas Raymond Burr is not available still!!!!. and it was just Ryan Burr..
cpdpoet
Would he be in black n white?
I.M. Insane
Burr: Della, get me a report on every pitch ever thrown to Freddie Freeman. And Paul, get me some shavings from his bat.
HawaiiPhil2020
cpd you are a poet & made me lol
Jacksson13
Next BIG Signing = RAYMOND BURR !!
sesquiup
Hang on, lemme get some milk.
WhoNoze
I wonder what the outcome was if he’s ever faced a “Hamilton”.
whyhayzee
Burr and Hamilton were White Sox teammates in 2021 and they came in first.
WhoNoze
If I was either one, I’d be doing some serious genealogy research. Raymond Burr was indeed a descendant of Aaron Burr, but the Hamilton surname is obviously a lot more common.
ctbronx7
And the White Sox later had a Burger, before trading him to Miami.
we_dont_talk_about_that
Burr would have a pretty shot.
bumpy93
all right here’s the big movie we’ve all been waiting for is Philly fans! one of the best relievers in all the baseball to help his boyfriend this signing was well worth waiting for the last 2 months of nothing to happen that’s why the best closers in baseball baby! oh wait a minute never mind I thought that was just either or any of the other confident free agent arms it’s been out there waiting to be signed never mind
mistborn
Shown flashes of continued success but often hurt. Take a flyer on the guy to stay healthy after shoulder surgery could have massive upside in Philly.