Posted by Jerry Crasnick
8:55 p.m. ETA.J. Burnett hit 96 mph on the gun against Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter in the first inning, and he's been in the 93-95 range the rest of the time.
According to Fan Graphs, Burnett ranked fifth in the majors in highest average fastball velocity this season at 94.2 mph. Only Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Verlander, Josh Johnson and Edwin Jackson got it to the plate more quickly.
Of course, movement is just as important as velocity, and Burnett's ball has that extra explosion as it reaches home plate. Factor in that curveball, and he makes for an awfully uncomfortable at-bat when he's dealing.
