Astros’ Mike Burrows Set to Elevate Rotation with Sinker Development

The Houston Astros are banking on pitcher Mike Burrows to become a key contributor in their starting rotation, with a specific development plan mirroring the success of Hunter Brown. Acquired in a three-team trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, the 26-year-old right-hander is under team control through the 2031 season and represents a low-financial-burden, high-potential addition to the Astros’ pitching staff.

Astros Address Starting Pitching Needs

Following the departure of Framber Valdez in the offseason, the Astros sought to bolster their starting rotation. While Hunter Brown and Tatsuya Imai are expected to lead the rotation, alongside Christian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr., the team believes Burrows has the potential to significantly elevate the group’s performance. Analysts predict Burrows could be a breakout candidate in 2026.

Development Plan: Adding a Sinker

The Astros’ strategy for Burrows centers around incorporating a sinking two-seamer into his pitch mix. This approach is directly inspired by the development plan that proved successful with Hunter Brown in 2024 and 2025. General Manager Dana Brown has indicated the team believes a sinker will be particularly effective against right-handed hitters.

Burrows’ Current Pitch Arsenal

Last season, Burrows primarily relied on four pitches: a four-seamer, changeup, slider, and curveball. According to MLB.com, he threw his sinker less than 6% of the time. However, his changeup is already a significant weapon, generating a .147 batting average against opposing hitters and ranking in the 97th percentile for off-speed run value, according to Baseball Savant.

2025 Performance and Future Outlook

In 19 starts last season, Burrows posted a 3.94 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 31 walks, typically pitching between five and six innings. The Astros are confident they can unlock his full potential by maximizing his fastball and utilizing his already effective changeup more strategically. If Burrows develops into an effective middle-of-the-rotation pitcher, the trade will be considered a significant success for Houston.