Every year in the minor leagues we see formerly highly touted prospects play their way right off the prospect charts. Sometimes it happens due to injury, but typically we see this occur when a player struggles mightily and consistently against a given level of competition. If a player can’t hit a Double A fastball, for example, he’s not getting past Double A no matter what his prospect ranking had been.
But sometimes we get it wrong. Every once in a while we come across a player who was all but written off… and justly so… but who manages to make the necessary changes and to re-inject his name back into the prospect conversation. It is rare for a player to make that sort of change, but it does happen.
And that brings me to Michael Burgess. Burgess was drafted by the Nationals and was traded to the Cubs in the Tom Gorzelanny deal. At the time, we knew he had plenty of power and the potential to develop more, but he had trouble making enough consistent contact to take advantage of that power. The Cubs sent him to Daytona in 2011, and he did show some progress there. While hitting a remarkable 20 HR, he dropped his K% to a very respectable 22.4%. Of course, that was also the fourth year he had spent in High A. His numbers were good, but there was no reason to be excited. When the Cubs’ Top Prospects lists came out after the 2011 season, Michael Burgess was scarcely to be found.
It gives me great pleasure, then, to welcome Mr. Burgess back to the prospect conversation. Through 56 games and 196 plate appearances, Burgess has struck out just 28 times. That is good for a K% of 14.4%, a career low. His previous low mark was 20.1% in 2010. His power numbers (5 HR, .407 SLG) are nothing to write home about, but for the time being that does not worry me. There has never been any question about this guy’s ability to slug, only his ability to make contact. He is now making contact at a better pace than he ever has in his career. I think it is only a matter of time before the power reappears as well.
He has a lot of work to do, but by cutting his K% that much while playing against the toughest competition of his life, he’s convinced me that he deserves a chance to make those additional improvements. He definitely has the time to improve. Despite spending parts of four seasons in High-A, he is only twenty three. According to the prospect calendar, he’s pretty much right on track.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – A bad day for starter Chris Rusin turned into a 9-1 Iowa loss.
Tennessee – Great pitching and timely hitting carried Tennessee to a 2-1 win and a winning record.
Daytona – Daytona had the day off for the All-Star game. The Cubs’ prospects played for the losing North Division. The final was 6-3.
Peoria – Rain suspended the Peoria game; it will be completed today at noon. At the time of the suspension, Peoria trailed 5-2, but they had the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth with one out and catcher Yaniel Cabezas due up.
Boise – An early lead did not last as the Boise Hawks lost their second straight game 7-4.
Performances of the Day
Other Minor League Notes
Farm System Standings
AAA – Iowa Cubs : 29 – 41.
Pacific Coast League American Northern Division – Second Place: 15 Games Behind.
AA – Tennessee Smokies : 35-34
Southern League North Division – Second Place (tie): 6.0 Game Behind.
High A – Daytona Cubs : 29 -36
Florida State League North Division – Fourth Place : 12.5 Games Behind
Low A – Peoria Chiefs : 34 – 34
Midwest League Eastern Division – Third Place (tie) : 10 Games Behind
Short-Season A – Boise Hawks : 0 – 2
Northwest League East Division – Second Place : 0.5 Games Behind