Brewers Option Hiram Burgos to Triple-A Nashville

According to Mike Vassallo, the Brewers have optioned RHP Hiram Burgos to Triple-A for the 2013 season.

Burgos, now 25, made two appearances for the Brewers this spring before heading to the World Baseball Classic to play for Puerto Rico. In those two outings, he has given up three earned runs in 6.2 innings with four strikeouts and a walk. He had just a 0.90 WHIP, but gave up two homers.

Burgos has been great in two appearances for Puerto Rico, as well. He has pitched 8.2 innings without giving up a run and has struck out seven batters.

Burgos had a breakout season in 2012 making 28 appearances (27 starts) through three levels of the minors, including eight starts with Triple-A Nashville. He finished with an overall ERA of 1.95 and 1.035 WHIP. He also had an 8.1 K/9 versus a 2.6 BB/9.

Prior to that, he posted ERAs of 5.62, 3.77, and 4.89 through his first three minor league seasons. He did not pitch above High-A until 2012.

If Burgos continues to pitch well in the minors he could be the next player up in event of injury or ineffectiveness opening up a spot in the rotation. His age and big improvement in 2012 certainly garnered himself some attention, furthered even more by his performance in the WBC thus far.