Former Saltdogs CF Burrus Acquired By Tigers Organization
Published on January 27, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs announced on Wednesday that Josh Burrus, the team's starting center fielder for all of 2009, has had his contract purchased by the Detroit Tigers organization. Burrus becomes the 24th former Saltdogs player to be acquired by a major-league organization.
Lincoln acquired Burrus from the Can-Am League just before the start of the 2009 season, and the former first-round draft pick turned in an All-Star campaign. He hit.314 with nine home runs in the first half of the season, earning a spot in the American Association All-Star Game as the starting center fielder for the North Division. Josh ended the season with 36 stolen bases, the second-highest single-season total in Saltdogs history, and finished second on the team with 108 hits.
"Josh really had an all-around outstanding season for us," said Saltdogs manager Marty Scott. "We put him in center field at the start of the year, a position he hadn't played a whole lot in his career, and he responded with some of the finest catches I've ever seen. At the plate, he really took off when we moved him to the leadoff spot in June. He played such an important role in us winning the championship last year, and I'm excited to see him get a chance to find his way to the big leagues."
Burrus was selected in the first round of the 2001 draft by the Atlanta Braves, and the Georgia native spent his first seven seasons in the Braves organization, reaching as high as Class AAA Richmond in 2006. He moved to the independent ranks in 2008, playing for Atlantic City, before joining Lincoln last April. In addition to his career-high 36 steals in 2009, Josh also set a career best with 48 walks, and tied his career-high output of three triples.
Season Ten of Saltdogs Baseball begins on May 13 in Sioux Falls, with the home opener scheduled for May 25 against Wichita. For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.
American Association Stories from January 27, 2010
- Former Saltdogs CF Burrus Acquired By Tigers Organization - Lincoln Saltdogs
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