In his first four starts of 2021, the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes has fanned 40 batters in just 24 1/3 innings – on his way to a 2-1 record and a 0.37 earned run average. In the process he set a record for the most strikeouts recorded (by a starter) from the opening of a season before issuing a walk. (Yes, as I’ve said before, in baseball we count everything.) The previous record, according to Elias Sports Bureau was 35 whiffs before a walk (Adam Wainwright in 2013).
A few tidbits about Burnes remarkable start(s):
- He has faced a total of 83 batters – fanning 48.2 percent.
- Through his first four starts, he has thrown 67.7 percent of his pitches for strikes.
- He has gone to a three-ball count on only ten batters – and fanned six of them (five looking). The other four produced plus two ground outs, a triple and a single.
- While he hasn’t walked anyone, he has hit three batters.
- The only run he has given up came in his first start (April 3), a home run to the Twins’ Byron Buxton. That lone run resulted in a loss, as his Brewers were shut out.
- Coming into the 2021 season, Burnes had averaged 3.4 walks and 11.8 whiffs in three MLB campaigns (12-6, 4.48 in 146 2.3 innings pitched. 13 starts and 61 relief appearances.
- As of this post, Burnes leads MLB in earned run average (0.37); WHIP (0.33); and his NL-leading forty strikeouts trail only the Indians’ Shane Bieber.
Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer: The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; MLB.com
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