Nick Burdi

Professional baseball player

What is Nick Burdi known for?

Nick Burdi, a professional baseball player, was born on January 19, 1993, in Hinsdale, Illinois and is a proud alumnus of Downers Grove South High School in Downers Grove, Illinois. He was a versatile athlete in high school and played both football as a quarterback and baseball as a pitcher. However, before his senior year, he decided to focus solely on baseball. By the end of his time at Downers Grove, he had developed his fastball to an impressive speed of 95 miles per hour. Burdi was also part of the 2010 Area Code Games, attracting the attention of several scouts.

Despite his considerable talent, Burdi was ultimately selected in the 24th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft by the Minnesota Twins. Choosing to focus on his education, Burdi opted for college instead of immediately entering the professional circuit. He was enrolled at the University of Louisville and played college baseball for the Louisville Cardinals team. In college, he further developed his fastball, reaching a speed of 100 miles per hour.

Burdi had an exceptional college career. As the Cardinals' closer, he had an Earned Run Average (ERA) of 0.78 and recorded 61 strikeouts in just over 34 innings during his sophomore year. He also represented the United States national collegiate baseball team. His performance only improved in his junior year—clocking a 0.49 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 37 innings.

Following his remarkable college stint, Burdi was a top prospect in the 2014 MLB Draft and was selected in the second round by the Minnesota Twins again. He agreed to a contract with the Twins and received a $1,218,800 signing bonus. He started his professional career with the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single–A Midwest League.

After his time with the Kernels, Burdi played for various teams within the Twins organization. Despite experiencing some struggles, he continued to hone his skills. His professional career path then led him to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he made his MLB debut on September 11, 2018. He played for the Pirates from 2018 to 2020. Most recently, in 2023, he played for the Chicago Cubs. Throughout his MLB career, Burdi maintained a 2–2 Win-Loss record, an ERA of 9.39, and secured 27 strikeouts.

Burdi is currently a free agent. His journey stands as a testament to his dedication to the sport he loves, representing a proud chapter in the Downers Grove South High School alumni chronicles.

For more about his life and career, visit his professional MLB profile page.