Bucs Beat Q&A: Making 1st start for Pirates at PNC Park was 'complete circle' for Mike Burrows

How much did you take from your MLB debut at Yankee Stadium last September back to Triple-A Indianapolis?

For me, it created perspective on what I needed to do down there to work on things. Down there, you can get really caught up in trying to prove that you’re ready to be up here, which creates a pressure on yourself, even if it’s subconsciously. I had to get out of that. For me, I feel like this is the level I’m meant to be at, so when I’m down there I feel this urge to prove that I don’t need to be there anymore. I’m trying to express that to (pitching prospects) that, regardless of results, understand what you’re going out there to do every day and try to help them with that perspective. It’s really hard to hear it and help them. I’ve got that experience of being there and coming back. You have that feel of what you need to do to get back up here again and the things you need to do well when you are here.

What clicked for you this season at Indy?

A little bit of confidence, a little further away from that (Tommy John) surgery. Coming off that surgery and going into the season, right back as a starter and thrown right back into Triple-A, wasn’t easy on the body. It was tough mentally, too, just having to deal with those little things, the little aggravations after surgery and trying to recover start to start. I feel like I don’t have to deal with that stuff this year. I feel like my body’s in that rhythm, that pace that I had prior to, and I just felt good.

What did you learn from sitting out a full season following surgery?

It forces patience. It’s definitely helped me in all aspects of my life, even off the field — I would say more so off the field than on — but it gives me a calmness. Even (Thursday) night, giving up three (in the first inning). Maybe three years ago it would have been like, not rattled, but (ticked) off. And that would have bled into the rest of the game. I was like, “Screw it. I’m going back out there, get as many as we can and put up more zeroes.” That’s what I did. It’s just the hammering the consistency of things and being patient with myself and the results.

What was it like to make your MLB starting debut and pitch at PNC Park for the first time?

It felt like I hadn’t been here. I had been, but not like this. I’ve seen the ballpark, but to see it and be on the field, be a part of this team and to start a game here is definitely a fulfilled moment. When I got drafted here (in the 11th round in 2018), that’s what I envisioned happening. It fulfilled itself. Unbelievable experience. I love PNC Park. It’s gorgeous. It’s harder when you’re in the game to take in those moments. Nothing I would tell anybody about, just more so for me. The complete circle of everything — getting drafted by them as a starter, envisioning myself starting in this stadium and being part of this staff.