Boston College announced this week that Nick Burdi, a right‑handed pitcher who once thrilled fans in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, will take the reins of its pitching staff as the program’s new pitching coach.
A Strategic Shift for the Eagles
Burdi’s résumé reads like a compact masterclass in modern pitching. After a collegiate stint at Louisville where he earned First‑Team All‑Big East honors in 2013 and was crowned NCBWA Stopper of the Year in 2014, he logged a 2.58 career earned‑run average and a .233 batting average against in the majors. His 2014 season also saw him become the Cardinals’ single‑season and career saves leader, a testament to his ability to close games under pressure.
The move follows the departure of Ryan Forrest, who was recently promoted to head coach at Princeton, opening a vacancy that the Eagles seized. The administration cited Burdi’s blend of experience and analytical insight as the catalyst for the hire.
Boston College’s pitching staff showed marked improvement last season, posting a 4.86 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP that helped the team secure a double bye in the ACC Tournament and a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. Those numbers, while modest, signaled an upward trajectory that the administration hopes to accelerate under Burdi’s guidance.
This offseason the Eagles added four right‑handed arms from the transfer portal — Champ Davis, Ben Cherico, Matt Kouser and Brayden Ryan — to complement the returning rotation. Burdi is expected to harness their raw velocity and refine command, with the ultimate goal of shaping a bullpen that can dominate the later innings of the 2027 campaign.
Looking Ahead to 2027
In interviews, Burdi has spoken of a focus on velocity gains, pitch sequencing and mental resilience. He believes the combination of his MLB pedigree and the program’s recent momentum will allow Boston College to compete more consistently against traditional powerhouses in the ACC and beyond.