International League Players of the Week Named
Published on August 5, 2019 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Buffalo infielder Andy Burns and Norfolk right- handed starter Chandler Shepherd have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period covering July 29-August 4. Burns is the second member of the Bisons to claim an IL weekly award this season, joining hurler Thomas Pannone (June 24-30). Shepherd's honor is the fourth for the Tides, equaling Gwinnett, Indianapolis, and Rochester for most in the League this season. Shepherd follows Ryan Mountcastle (April 15-21), Chance Sisco (April 29-May 5), and Jace Peterson (July 8-14).
ANDY BURNS, Buffalo Bisons IL BATTER OF THE WEEK As the Buffalo Bisons battle to work their way into the postseason picture, Andy Burns poured in a League-high fourteen hits during the past week. His .500 average, seven RBI and seven runs scored have helped the Herd stay within 5.0 games of the Wild Card leader. Burns saw a seven-game hitting streak end Sunday, which was highlighted by back-to-back three-hit efforts on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a 4-for-5 game on Saturday in which he doubled, drove in one run and scored a run as the Bisons edged Syracuse 9-7. The hot week for Burns improved his batting average by over 20 points to .283 for the season.
Andy Burns, who turns 29 this week, was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 2011 draft. He reached the majors in 2016, but was released and spent the 2017-18 seasons playing in Korea. In February he re-signed with Toronto. Burns is a native of Greenville, South Carolina.
CHANDLER SHEPHERD, Norfolk Tides IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK The 2019 season has been a challenging one for Chandler Shepherd, but on Thursday he picked up his first victory of the year in fine style, blanking one of the League's highest scoring clubs in their home park. Shepherd took the hill in Gwinnett and delivered 6.1 innings of scoreless baseball, surrendering just three hits and a walk while striking out eight as the Tides cruised to a 4-0 victory. Shepherd had been promoted to Baltimore for a day earlier in the week, but was not used and returned to Norfolk to pick up his first win at the Triple-A level this season.
26-year-old Chandler Shepherd is in his sixth season pitching professionally. He was selected by Boston in the 13th round of the 2014 draft. After spending much of the past four seasons with Pawtucket, Shepherd was designated for assignment in May, then claimed by the Orioles on waivers. He has yet to make his Major League debut. Shepherd is a native of Louisa, Kentucky.
International League Stories from August 5, 2019
- Four Top Prospects Join Stripers for Playoff Push - Gwinnett Stripers
- International League Players of the Week Named - IL1
- Bisons' INF Andy Burns Named International League Batter of the Week - Buffalo Bisons
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