Jimmy
Burnette

4.24.17 - Illinois commit. Ranked No. 11 in the Illinois’ 2017 class and No. 139 overall. 6-foot-2, 185-pound,left-handed pitcher with a highly-athletic build. Started on the mound and went 5.1 innings. Scattered three hits, two earned runs, struck out eight and walked five. Fastball, was extremely live in the first inning, sat 90-91 mph for the most part. Settled in anywhere from 84-88 mph, touching 89 at times. Inconsistent command throughout. Went to his breaking ball only a few times throughout, 70 mph; 1/7 shape, flashes depth and good shape at times.

3.28.17 - Illinois commit. 6-foot-2, 185-pound, athletically built left-handed pitcher. Got his second start of the season in St. Laurence’s home opener. Athletic, clean, loose arm action out of a high ¾ window. Live arm, ball comes out easy, fastball sat 86-88 mph, touching 89 early, got plenty of late swings early on. Fastball, flashes arm-side life at times, flattens out and tendency to pitch up in the zone. Only threw a handful of curveballs on the day, 1/7 shape, depth, good spin and flashed feel, tough on left-handed hitters, 69-73 mph. Saw one changeup at 79 mph. Burnette also showed he could field his position. Forced to come off the mound and make a few plays; maintains body control, stays poised and made accurate throws. Final Line: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 7 K, 3 BB

Super 60 2017 - Illinois recruit. 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed pitcher, athletic frame with proportional strength. Two-way player who is quickly emerging as one of the premier left-handed pitching prospects in the Midwest. Only further solidified his status with his performance. Highly athletic arm action, clean, loose and quick from a high-¾ slot. Velocity has continued to climb over the last year; sat 88-90, topping at 91 at the Super 60. Fastball flashes occasional arm-side run, mostly flat, inconsistent release point. Advanced feel for changeup, 82-84, works the lower half of the zone with fade to the arm side. Curveball flashes sharpness at times, 73-74 mph, erratic around the zone. A left-handed hitting outfielder (and football player), Burnette has only begun pitching a few years ago. With more refinement and experience, he may achieve his high-ceiling potential.

7/25/16 - Verbally committed to Illinois.

7/15/16 - De-commits from Austin Peay, back on the market.

6.21.16 - Recently de-committed. Athletically built 6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way prospect. Can very well be a position player and a pitcher at the next level, but hard to deny upside potential on the mound. Has only been pitching for a couple years. Loose, athletic, easy arm action, high-¾ slot,  fastball topped at 88, sitting 86-87 (have seen up to 90 in the past) with some arm-side run. More velocity likely to come.  Feel for changeup, 80 mph with arm-side sink; throws the pitch with confidence. Curveball has erratic shape in low-70s. Positionally, a left-handed hitter, balanced swing, athletic hands, uses leg lift trigger; when on time, makes hard contact. Registered 89 mph exit velocity. In game, singled up the middle, walked and popped out. Defensively, moves with confidence, takes aggressive routes, tracks well, athletic tendencies. Strong arm, throws carry on line, clocked at 91 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.00 laser-timed 60.

2/14/16 - Austin Peay commit. 6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way player, average strong build, projects best on the mound. Delivery is clean and repeatable, front side stays closed, slightly across body, creates angle. Arm action is quick, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Showed god feel for his fastball, ability to command, 86-88 mph, touched 89 mph, arm side run. Curveball has 1/7 shape, sharp action with good depth, 69-72 mph. Changeup flashes sink, mostly down in the zone, fastball arm speed, 79-82 mph. Premium left-handed arm with feel for the zone. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance. Middle to opposite field approach, inside out type path, short to the baseball. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played well, 89 mph from the outfield, high ¾ slot, loose arm, flashed carry. Strong actions in the outfield, feet work well, 6.98 runner in the 60.

2.27.16 - Verbally commits to Austin Peay.

1.18.15 - 6-foot, 155-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting OF/LHP hits from a wide base, crouch setup, hands don’t move in load, utilizes a weight shift backwards, no stride approach, short, level bat path, hit line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, fluid throughout, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 84 mph from the outfield from a long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry. Soft hands fielding, quick footwork, plays through the baseball. On the mound, Burnette impressed showing feel for three pitches from a tall/fall delivery, long, loose, high ¾ to ¾ arm slot, toe up at balance point, level shoulders, stride direction in line towards home plate, lands square. Fastball sat 77-80 mph, breaking ball flashed 2/8 slider shape in the 63-64 mph range, also threw a 75-76 mph changeup aggressively with cutting action.

Summer 2020: Through 17 IP this summer the 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-hander has allowed just 10 hits while striking out 23, good for a 1.59 ERA. He continues to work on his mechanics, as he has always rushed to the plate. Although improving, this rush causes inconsistency in his release point which has led to 12 walks in those 17 IP. During the opening inning of his July 20 start against Green Bay, Burnette sliced and diced the Booyah, striking out the first three hitters on 12 pitches. He worked quick between pitches, but had an easy, slower paced delivery with good balance, direction and a soft landing. He spotted his fastball to both sides of the plate, sitting 90-91 mph with tailing life and spin rates in the 2300s. He also mixed in both an upper-70s curve and a low-80s sinking changeup. Spin rates on his breaking pitch were in the 2600s and change-of-pace in the 2100-2200s. He finished his five-inning start with four walks and eight strikeouts. After struggling with his performance for two-plus seasons at Illinois (15.43 ERA, 16.1 IP, 19 BB, 17SO), Burnette will try to jumpstart his college career with highly regarded head coach/pitching coach, Rick O’Dette, at Saint Leo University in Florida.

2/15/20:At 6-foot-2, 195-pound, Burnette is well proportioned with a lean, athletic frame. Controlled and balanced throughout his delivery, the lefty lands softly on his front foot while maintaining a still head. He hides the ball well, creating deception which allows his 90-91 mph fastball to get on hitters in a hurry. There’s big shape to his curveball, a slow roller in the 72-74 mph range with 11-5 break. Working in relief over the weekend against Seton Hall, the lefty looked sharp for a couple innings before briefly losing his release point and getting chased in his third inning of work. (Granger)