
#50 SP · Astros
Height
6'1"
Weight
200 lbs
Age
26
College
N/A
Draft
2018, Rd 11, #324
Experience
2 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Grade this player:
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 26 | 4.090909 | 4-5 | 111 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0 |
Length
1 year
AAV
$780K/yr
Mike Burrows' one-year, $0.8M deal with the Astros earns a C CVI, reflecting a calculated gamble on upside rather than proven production. While the financial commitment is minimal for Houston's championship window, Burrows sits firmly in the serviceable starter tier — the type of back-of-rotation arm who can eat innings but won't move the needle in October. The Astros are banking on their player development machine extracting more value from a pitcher who has shown flashes but lacks the consistency or swing-and-miss stuff to be a reliable contributor over 162 games. At just above league minimum, the downside is capped, but this signing screams organizational depth rather than meaningful rotation upgrade. Houston's farm system has produced better internal options in recent years, making this feel like a low-ceiling insurance policy that addresses quantity over quality. For a team with legitimate World Series aspirations, spending on replacement-level starting pitching represents a missed opportunity to add more impactful talent to their competitive window.
Mike Burrows grades as an All-Star caliber performer among MLB starting pitchers, earning a B+ Performance grade. He carries a 3.90 ERA (near the league average of 4.20) and a 1.25 WHIP across 99.1 innings pitched with a 9.0 K/9 rate. His 3-4 record provides context on team support and run prevention. A 9.0 K/9 rate indicates above-average swing-and-miss stuff. As a sophomore at 26, Mike is a key contributor for the Astros. With only 24 games on record, this grade carries a smaller sample size caveat.
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 4/13 | @ SEA | L 2-6 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ COL | L 1-5 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
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Mike Burrows, a starting pitcher for the Astros, carries mixed-to-positive public sentiment based on their solid contributions. His B+ performance grade positions him as a solid contributor at the starting pitcher position. While he has yet to earn major individual awards, his contributions to the Astros keep him in the conversation. On a contract worth $780K/year, minimal financial investment means any production is viewed favorably. Fan opinion is divided, with some appreciating his potential while others point to inconsistencies that temper enthusiasm. At 26, he has significant runway for development, and the baseball community will be watching closely for continued growth.