| Alex Burnett | |
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While with the Fort Myers Miracle in 2008 |
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| Minnesota Twins – No. 31 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: July 26, 1987 Westminster, California |
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| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 8, 2010 for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Career statistics (through 2011 season) |
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| Win–loss record | 4-7 |
| Earned run average | 5.40 |
| Strikeouts | 70 |
| Teams | |
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Alex James Burnett (born July 26, 1987 in Westminster, California) is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is six feet tall and weighs 215 lbs., and was signed in the 12th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.
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In 2007, Burnett was selected to Midwest League All-Star Game while playing with the Twins' low A affiliate, the Beloit Snappers. He ended the season with a 3.02 earned run average, which was fifth best in the league.
Burnett compiled a 5 - 2 record with a 3.36 ERA over 14 appearances (12 starts) in the first half of the 2008 season—helping his team capture the Florida State League first-half West Division title.[1] Scout.com called him one of the best right-handed pitchers in the Twins' organization.[2]
On August 21, 2008, in only six innings, Burnett struck out a career best ten Lakeland Flying Tigers in the Miracle's 8-1 win at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. Burnett, Carlos Gutierrez and Anthony Slama combined on a new season-high 17 strikeouts on the night.[3]
His best pitching performance of the season, however, may have been his last. With the Miracle already leading their first round play off series against the Dunedin Blue Jays 1-0, Burnett pitched six innings of shutout ball, giving up only two hits against the second half division winners. The Miracle went on to win the game 3-1 to advance to the second round of the play offs for the first time since 1995.
He was converted to a reliever in 2009, and combined to go 3-3 with a 1.85 ERA, thirteen saves and 78 strikeouts in 78 innings for Fort Myers and the Twins' double A affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats. He made the Twins out of Spring training 2010 without having ever played at the triple-A level.[4] Burnett made his major league debut on April 8, 2010, retiring all three batters he faced in a 10-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[5]
On April 15, 2010, the Twins sent Burnett to their triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said the move was partly so Burnett could get more regular playing time.[6] He was recalled to the Twins just two days later, when they placed reliever Jose Mijares on the disabled list.[7] Burnett continued to pitch regularly for the Twins, and remained on the roster when Mijares was reactivated.
Burnett earned his first major league win on June 5, 2010, over the Oakland A's.[8]
On July 19, the Twins optioned Burnett to Rochester and recalled pitcher Anthony Slama. He remained in Rochester until he was recalled on September 3, earning a win in his first appearance back in the majors.[9]