How a pitching revolution transformed Corbin Burnes into a Cy Young winner
In short: After a difficult start in the major leagues, Corbin Burnes underwent a tactical evolution. By virtually abandoning his four-seam fastball in favor of a specialized cutter, he transformed from a struggling reliever into one of the most dominant starting pitchers in baseball, eventually securing the 2021 National League Cy Young Award.
Burnes' ascent was not a linear path to stardom. After making his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018, he faced significant hurdles. In 2019, he struggled in both starting and relief roles, finishing the season with an 8.82 ERA. However, the 2020 shortened season marked a turning point, as he posted a 2.11 ERA and finished sixth in the National League Cy Young voting.
The true shift in his dominance arrived through a radical adjustment to his repertoire. While he originally utilized a four-seam fastball between 94–97 mph, he virtually abandoned that pitch after 2020. Instead, he found immense success by relying on a cutter thrown between 93–96 mph. This tactical pivot fueled an unprecedented run in 2021, where he struck out 40 batters without issuing a single walk in his first four starts.
His 2021 campaign remains a career highlight, characterized by historic precision. He set an MLB record by striking out 58 batters before issuing his first walk, surpassing Kenley Jansen's previous record of 51. That year, he led the National League in earned run average (2.43) and strikeouts per nine innings (12.6), ultimately earning the Cy Young Award and a spot on the All-MLB Team.
Despite his elite success, Burnes' career has faced physical and professional volatility. Following a contract dispute with the Brewers in 2024, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. While he remained an All-Star through 2024, a bout of elbow tightness in 2025 led to Tommy John surgery, followed by a teres major strain during his 2026 rehabilitation.
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