Brian Burres (born April 8, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Burres' best pitch is his changeup. He also has a high 80s-low 90 MPH fastball and a curveball. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates and in the CPBL for the Lamigo Monkeys.
| Brian Burres | |
|---|---|
 Burres with the Baltimore Orioles in 2008 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: April 8, 1981 Oregon City, Oregon, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: September 8, 2006, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| CPBL: March 24, 2013, for the Lamigo Monkeys | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 28, 2011, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| CPBL: August 24, 2013, for the Lamigo Monkeys | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 18–25 |
| Earned run average | 5.75 |
| Strikeouts | 224 |
| CPBL statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 9–5 |
| Earned run average | 3.49 |
| Strikeouts | 93 |
| Teams | |
High school and collegiate career
editBurres attended Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Oregon, where he was named both Conference Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in 1999, as well as a first team all state outfielder. Burres went on to play at Mount Hood Community College, being drafted by the San Francisco Giants after one year.
Professional career
editSan Francisco Giants
editBurres was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 31st round (931st overall) of the 2000 MLB draft.[1] He was in the Giants' system for three years. Following the 2005 season, the Giants signed utility infielder José Vizcaíno. They made room for Vizcaíno on the roster by designating Burres for assignment. He pitched for the Connecticut Defenders prior to being designated. He was later released.
Baltimore Orioles
editOn January 6, 2006, Burres was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.[2] He never cleared waivers, so the Orioles released him. Six days later, he was assigned to Triple-A Ottawa.
On September 8, 2006, Burres made his major league debut with the Orioles, allowing two earned runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning against the New York Yankees.[3] He spent most of the 2006 season with Triple-A Ottawa, going 10–6 with a 3.76 ERA in 26 starts with the Lynx.[4] He was promoted to the Orioles for most of the 2007 season, finishing the season 6–8 with a 5.95 ERA in 37 games (17 starts).[5] Burres was named the fifth starter in the Orioles rotation to open the 2008 season, after a competition in spring training with teammate Matt Albers.
On February 2, 2009, Burres was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Rich Hill.[6]
Toronto Blue Jays
editOn February 4, 2009, Burres was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays.[7]
Burres spent spring training 2009 with Toronto, and was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. With Toronto dealing with early-season injuries to several pitchers, Burres was recalled to the majors by the Jays on April 24, 2009,[8] and made his first appearance for Toronto the next day, starting on the road against the Chicago White Sox. He wound up as the losing pitcher, but held the White Sox to two runs through the first four innings, before struggling in the fifth inning, when he left the game.[9] Jays' manager Cito Gaston stated that Burres would remain in the rotation until several of Toronto's injured pitchers make their return to active duty.
Pittsburgh Pirates
editOn January 4, 2010, Burres signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates with an invite to spring training.[10] He had his contract selected on April 12. He was non-tendered after the season.[11]
On January 3, 2011, Burres re-signed with the Pirates on another minor league deal.[12] He had his contract selected on September 1. He was sent outright off the roster on October 31, he elected free agency.
San Francisco Giants (second stint)
editOn January 18, 2012, Burres returned to his original team, the San Francisco Giants, signing a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.[13] He elected free agency following the season on November 2.
Lamigo Monkeys
editOn February 4, 2013, after little interest from MLB and NPB teams, Burres signed with the Lamigo Monkeys of the CPBL in Taiwan.[14]
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
editOn March 31, 2014, Burress signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. In 9 starts 49.1 innings he went 3-2 with a stellar 1.64 ERA with 31 strikeouts.
Colorado Rockies
edit
On June 13, 2014, Burres signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.[15]
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
editOn March 24, 2015, Burres re-signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for the 2015 season. In 26 games (23 starts) 133.1 innings he went 8-9 with a 3.98 ERA with 104 strikeouts.
He re-signed with the Blue Crabs on April 5, 2016.[16] He became a free agent after the 2016 season. In 28 games (27 starts) 156.2 innings he went 11-9 with a 3.33 ERA 139 strikeouts and 1 complete game.
Coaching Career
editBurres was named as an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne TinCaps for the 2023 season. He was named pitching coach for the AZL Padres for the 2024 season.
Personal life
editBrian has an identical twin brother, Greg, who resides in the Pacific Northwest. Brian is the son of Nancy and Kirk, and has two other brothers, Kevin and Patrick. Brian married Lacy on the July 14, 2014, episode of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.
Brian competes every year in the prestigious “Battle for the Boot” golf tournament held at Bandon Dunes and has won four times (2012, 2016, 2022, 2023).
References
edit- ^ "31st Round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "Orioles sign left-hander Burres". The Baltimore Sun. January 6, 2006. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Gluskin, Michael (September 8, 2006). "Bedard notches first win since July". Baltimore Orioles. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "Brian Burres Minor, Fall, CPBL, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Brian Burres Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Cubs trade twice: Hill to Orioles, Wuertz to A's". ESPN. February 2, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Jays claim Burres". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. February 4, 2009. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ "Jays recall pitching reinforcements". CBC.ca. April 24, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Bastian, Jordan (April 25, 2009). "Burres chased in fifth as Jays fall". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ "Pirates ink three pitchers to minor league deals". ESPN. Associated Press. January 4, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Williams, Tim (December 3, 2010). "Pirates Non-Tender Milledge, Diaz, Veal, and Burres". Pirates Prospects. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Gleeman, Aaron (January 3, 2011). "Pirates re-sign Brian Burres to minor league contract". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (December 19, 2011). "Giants Sign Brian Burres". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (February 4, 2013). "Minor Moves: Buschini, Burres, Pineiro". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ Polishuk, Mark (June 9, 2014). "Minor Moves: Tomko, Burres, Aceves, Paxton". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Carol (April 20, 2016). "2016 Southern Maryland Blue Crabs players signed for the 2016 season as of April 14". Southern Maryland News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or CPBL