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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Sign Versatile Veteran Slugger Brian Burgamy, Pitcher Henry Calls It Quits

August 9, 2013 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - In the off-season the St. Paul Saints signed a 32-year old slugger with international experience in Craig Brazell, who provided a consistent power threat in the middle of the lineup for the early portion of the schedule. With Brazell now applying his trade in Japan, the Saints are looking to capture lighting in a bottle a second time as they have signed free agent Brian Burgamy, another 32-year old power hitter with international experience. Burgamy has posted seasons with at least a .300 batting average and 12 home runs in three different countries during his career.

Burgamy, who has played every position except catcher as a professional, already has 91 games under his belt this season. Most recently he played in 48 games for Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. While south of the border he hit .335 with 15 home runs and 35 RBI as an outfielder and corner infielder. Prior to that, he also played 41 games for York of the Atlantic League posting a .345 average, nine home runs, and 35 RBI.

The switch-hitting veteran wore the uniform of another Atlantic League club, the Camden Riversharks, for the previous four summers beginning in 2009. His best season in Camden was his last as he hit .294 in 126 games with 20 home runs and drove in 81 in 2012. He also walked 80 times that year. Burgamy spent the winter of 2011 playing baseball down under for the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League. It was a winter to remember; in 45 games he hit a ridiculous .409 with 12 home runs and 34 RBI.

His professional career began back in 2002 when he was selected in the ninth round of the MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres out of Wichita State. He spent five season in the Padres organization, playing single-A and double-A baseball with affiliates in Indiana, California, Oregon, and Alabama. He moved on to play a pair of seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system at single-A Clearwater and double-A Reading in 2006 and 2007. His affiliated career concluded with eight games for the St. Lucie Mets in 2008. Burgamy never posted a batting average of over .300 in his seven year affiliated career.

Burgamy received 3rd-team All-America honors and 2nd-team Baseball America recognition after an incredible senior season at Wichita State in 2002. In starting all 63 games he played in, he hit an even .400 with 15 doubles, four home runs, and 57 RBI. He was also a terror on the bases, drawing 51 walks and going 24-29 on stolen base attempts.

The Saints had an open spot on the roster after relief pitcher Bryan Henry retired following Thursday night's game in Fargo. Henry, 28, will serve as a voluntary assistant coach at his alma mater Florida State University. The submarine-throwing righthander worked 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings against the Redhawks in his final appearance.

The Saints currently have the league maximum 22 on the roster, 9 pitchers and 13 position players, with two on the disabled list and one on the inactive list.

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