Author Topic: Follow the Prospects: Billy Burns, OF (Read 9484 times)

imref · « **Topic Start:** June 09, 2013, 12:43:23 AM »

Baseballreference.com:

Quote

Bats: Both, Throws: Right
Height: 5' 9", Weight: 180 lb.

Born: August 30, 1989 in Marietta, Georgia, US (Age 23)
High School: Walton HS (Marietta, GA)
School: Mercer University (Macon, GA)

Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 16th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from Walton HS (Marietta, GA) and the Washington Nationals in the 32nd round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from Mercer University (Macon, GA).

2011: Auburn A- : .262 / .367 / .355
2012: Hagerstown A: .322 / .432 / .382
2013: Potomac A+: .299 / .426 / .368, 5 triples, 2 doubles, 0 HR in 174 ABs

Currently leading off for Potomac, 29 SB in 48 games (caught only 3 times). Stole 51 in 145 games at A-/A.

Trivia: Was drafted as a right-handed hitter but learned to switch-hit in the instructional league.

Glockypoo · « **Reply #1:** June 09, 2013, 07:58:21 AM »

Brandon Miller deserves one, too.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #2:** June 09, 2013, 10:01:12 AM »

Miller has a ton of power.

30+ XBH already.

Mr Clean · « **Reply #3:** June 09, 2013, 05:37:40 PM »

Burns 2-4 today.

30th stolen base.

welch · « **Reply #4:** June 09, 2013, 05:50:55 PM »

Never heard of him before, but seems to be a guy I will follow. Have seen that God win might have lost his CF job...hitting about .245.

ZimW1N · « **Reply #5:** June 10, 2013, 02:18:47 AM »

Quote from: welch on June 09, 2013, 05:50:55 PM

Never heard of him before, but seems to be a guy I will follow. Have seen that God win might have lost his CF job...hitting about .245.

That's retarded. How would Goodwin losing at bats help make him a better player?

Terpfan76 · « **Reply #6:** June 10, 2013, 08:22:33 AM »

Quote from: ZimW1N on June 10, 2013, 02:18:47 AM

That's retarded. How would Goodwin losing at bats help make him a better player?

Motivation maybe?? Just because you're a highly regarded prospect doesn't preclude you from having to earn playing time.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #7:** June 10, 2013, 08:29:56 AM »

Who said Goodwin was going to lose playing time? Seemed more like an observation from welch than a fact.

imref · « **Reply #8:** June 10, 2013, 10:04:06 AM »

one nice thing about Burns, when he gets on he invariably draws throws to first to hold him on on the bag. At the A+ level, about one out of every four throws sails into RF. Burns ended up at third twice that way on Saturday.

ZimW1N · « **Reply #9:** June 10, 2013, 10:34:57 AM »

I do wonder if his walk rate is anything near sustainable in the MLB level.

NatsAllThe Way · « **Reply #10:** June 13, 2013, 07:07:24 AM »

He went 4-6 last night with 3 runs... has a ton of stolen bases. Does anyone know if his defence is top notch or if it sucks? Seems like a good future 2b. He has no power though.

NatsAllThe Way · « **Reply #11:** June 13, 2013, 07:12:25 AM »

Oops that's right he's a CF. haha. Anyways, perfect leadoff hitting CF with speed. Does anyone know if his defence is top notch or if it sucks?

taayox · « **Reply #12:** June 13, 2013, 08:20:54 PM »

With Goodwin struggling and Taylor not really impressing and with Perez not really what we want as the cf for the future, could Burns now be the leading candidate to become the cf of the future if he keeps up what he's doing?
I know Souza has been impressive too and has played quite a bit of cf.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #13:** June 13, 2013, 08:26:58 PM »

I seriously doubt Burns ever makes it to the majors. Would be a great story if he did, though.

nobleisthyname · « **Reply #14:** June 13, 2013, 08:48:53 PM »

Quote from: taayox on June 13, 2013, 08:20:54 PM

With Goodwin struggling and Taylor not really impressing and with Perez not really what we want as the cf for the future, could Burns now be the leading candidate to become the cf of the future if he keeps up what he's doing?
I know Souza has been impressive too and has played quite a bit of cf.

How poorly has Goodwin been playing? I knew he had struggled but are is already seen as a bust?

taayox · « **Reply #15:** June 13, 2013, 09:17:35 PM »

Quote from: nobleisthyname on June 13, 2013, 08:48:53 PM

How poorly has Goodwin been playing? I knew he had struggled but are is already seen as a bust?

His batting stats this season hasn't been that impressive. He's hitting .236 with 4 homers with an ok OBP of .347
I think it's too early to call him a bust as he still has the most potential of all the cf's we have in the system. Might just still be trying to adjust to AA. Was kind of hoping he would do well there this year and get promoted to AAA next year or late this season. He still does have time to improve this season.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #16:** June 13, 2013, 09:26:20 PM »

A bust? No. He's perfectly fine.

tomterp · « **Reply #17:** June 13, 2013, 09:33:20 PM »

Quote from: Lintyfresh85 on June 13, 2013, 09:26:20 PM

A bust? No. He's perfectly fine.

We knew he had raw tools and would likely be slow to develop, but I'm not sure perfectly fine is the best fit.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #18:** June 13, 2013, 10:09:28 PM »

I suppose that .347 OBP has to be coached out of him for him to be a real Nat.

Smithian · « **Reply #19:** June 14, 2013, 09:30:33 AM »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on June 13, 2013, 10:09:28 PM

I suppose that .347 OBP has to be coached out of him for him to be a real Nat.

Please don't post snark in prospect threads.

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #20:** July 12, 2013, 01:07:33 PM »

Made the BA Hot Sheet In the Team Photo section today:

Quote

Billy Burns, cf, Nationals: Burns put his top-shelf speed to full use this week with high Class A Potomac, stealing eight bags without being caught. The switch-hitter also put up a .429 average (12-for-28). Burns, 23, moved up to sixth in the minors with 42 steals on the year, and his 91 percent success rate (42-for-46) is the best among the eight minor leaguers with at least 40 steals.

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #21:** July 12, 2013, 01:17:35 PM »

What do we make of Burns?

42/46 SBs is awesome and then he has a 45 BB/34 K ratio which is also very good. .407 OBP. He has 0 errors and 4 assists on the season in 72 games. He's played 59/72 games at LF because of Michael Taylor in CF but seems like he is fine in CF where he belongs.

A little old for Potomac but still really good numbers. Is he another Boomer Whiting (washout) or is there potential there to be a utility player or more at the Major League level?

welch · « **Reply #22:** July 12, 2013, 09:03:58 PM »

Quote from: Lintyfresh85 on June 10, 2013, 08:29:56 AM

Who said Goodwin was going to lose playing time? Seemed more like an observation from welch than a fact.

Exactly. Goodwin is hitting .260 is his second year at AA. That is not encouraging.

imref · « **Reply #23:** July 22, 2013, 01:50:12 PM »

3-6, run, 2SB and a game winning RBI yesterday. .306 / .409 / .375 so far, 48 SBs.

.366 / .447 / .439 in his last 10 with 6 SBs.

Maybe a September call-up in his future?

imref · « **Reply #24:** July 22, 2013, 01:52:06 PM »

Quote from: sportsfan882 on July 12, 2013, 01:17:35 PM

What do we make of Burns?

42/46 SBs is awesome and then he has a 45 BB/34 K ratio which is also very good. .407 OBP. He has 0 errors and 4 assists on the season in 72 games. He's played 59/72 games at LF because of Michael Taylor in CF but seems like he is fine in CF where he belongs.

A little old for Potomac but still really good numbers. Is he another Boomer Whiting (washout) or is there potential there to be a utility player or more at the Major League level?

i've seen him play twice, he's kind of short for an OF (5' 9") but he makes things happen out there, most every time he got on base he generated throws from the pitcher to hold him. About one out of every four pick-off attempts was wild, so once he got to first it was a pretty safe bet he'd advance. he reminds me a lot of brett gardner - similar build/players.