​Former Hortonville standout Thomas Burns was drafted by the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, July 12, marking a significant milestone in the 21-year-old right-hander’s career. The Twins selected Burns in the eighth round of the MLB Draft, 227th overall. A standout athlete in high school, Burns earned Post-Crescent high school baseball player of the year honors in 2022 and has since moved on to a college career that has showcased both his raw velocity and his evolving pitching repertoire.
Burns’ college journey began at Arizona State, where he started his collegiate career and made six starts as a freshman before being sidelined with shoulder tendinitis. After a year at ASU, he transferred to the University of Texas, where he spent his two most recent seasons. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Burns has built an imposing pitching frame that scouts note for its potential to deliver impact on the mound.
During his time with Texas, Burns functioned primarily out of the bullpen. Across his last two seasons with the Longhorns, he posted a 3-2 record with eight saves and a 4.59 ERA. He logged 83 strikeouts over 49 career innings against Texas opponents, while limiting hitters to a .183 batting average. In the current season, Burns appeared in 23 games, finishing with a 2-0 record and four saves despite recording a 5.64 ERA. He struck out 43 batters and issued 16 walks in 22⅓ innings, a performance that reflected his late-inning upside but also highlighted the need for improved consistency and command.
Baseball scouts have taken note of Burns’ explosive arm. MLB.com’s scouting report described his fastball as operating in the 95-98 mph range, with a peak at 100 mph. The pitch benefits from a riding action as it exits a near over-the-top delivery. His mid-80s cutter has potential to be a plus pitch, but control challenges—he often doesn’t land it for strikes—raise questions about sustainability against higher-level hitters. His changeup sits in the mid-80s but is described as lacking life and failing to consistently miss bats, which could limit its effectiveness in professional settings. The report also highlighted Burns’ delivery as a factor in his control issues, noting a 16% walk rate over three college seasons. While his pure velocity and late-inning firepower make him one of the more intriguing relief prospects in the draft, persistent command problems could hinder his ability to handle high-leverage situations in the majors unless those issues improve.
Burns has earned accolades for his performance at the high school level as well. He was co-pitcher of the year in the Fox Valley Association in 2022, finishing his senior season with an 8-1 record and a 0.86 ERA. He had previously been recognized as a two-time Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association all-state selection, underscoring his long track record of success at the local and state levels.
When he played for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Burns’ potential continued to attract attention as he faced competition from Beloit and other clubs in the region. His draft selection by the Twins represents a new chapter, with professional scouts watching closely to see how his development unfolds in the coming years.
The Minnesota Twins’ selection of Burns adds another promising arm to their system, and the organization will likely place him in development-focused settings where they can work on refining his command, expanding his pitch mix, and building consistency for bullpen roles. Burns’ combination of velocity, reliever-ready feel, and the potential for improvement with better control could position him as a sleeper candidate within the organization if he makes strides with his breaking ball and changeup.
As Burns begins this new professional phase, his former coaches, teammates, and supporters in Hortonville and across Wisconsin will be rooting for his continued growth and success. The path from high school standout to MLB draft pick to professional pitcher is challenging, but Burns’ height, mechanics, and arm strength give him a solid foundation to pursue a productive big-league career. Fans will be watching to see how he translates his collegiate experiences, his velocity, and his competitive drive into results at the next levels of the sport.