With the first pick of the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Astros selected Michael Burgess from the Cubs.
Burgess turned 24 last October, and was the Nationals' 49th overall pick in the 2007 draft, and was traded to the Cubs in the Tom Gorzelanny deal. In six minor-league seasons, Burgess has hit .252/.344/.451, with 102 HRs, 63K:45BB.
At Double-A in 2012, however, Burgess hit .259/.350/.422, with 22 doubles and 10 homers. Against RHPs, he posted an .806 OPS (.654 OPS against LHBs).
The Scouting Book wrote:
Right now he's all power and no discipline, but that power is special
enough -- Jim Bowden called it 'thunderous' -- that he's worth keeping
an eye on.
The View from the Bleachers wrote:
After not even being considered a prospect a few short months ago,
though, Burgess has turned himself into a prospect again. He will likely
be in most Top 20 organizational lists, and could even sneak into the
very back of a couple of Top 10s based upon a solid ceiling and his
proximity to the Majors.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
