D.J. Burt Proves To Be On-Base Machine
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Second baseman D.J. Burt knows a thing or two about touching first base.
The 2014 fourth-round pick reached base in 54 consecutive games at Rookie-level Idaho Falls in 2015, a season in which he ranked third in the Pioneer League with 40 walks.
Burt, who attended Fuquay-Varina (N.C.) High, opened 2016 by reaching base in eight straight games at low Class A Lexington. That pushed his overall on-base streak to 62 games.
“It’s a pretty cool accomplishment,” said Burt, 21. “Coming into (2016), I totally forget about it.”
Burt, who plays shortstop occasionally, has plus speed. He ranked second in the South Atlantic League with 43 stolen bases last season.
“He’s a talented baserunner,” farm director Ronnie Richardson said. “He’s continuing to improve that skill and just all facets of that. We believe he’s an above-average runner with the ability to steal bases at the upper levels.”
Burt, a righthanded batter who is listed at 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, hit .257/.335/.338 with four home runs in 125 games last year.
“He played a little bit more shortstop last year,” Richardson said. “We think he has the potential to play the left side of the infield, as well as both middle positions.”
Burt drew 51 walks against 108 strikeouts last season and works himself into good hitter’s counts with consistency.
“He had good plate discipline,” Richardson said. “He understands what his game is: the ability to get on base, to steal bases, to bunt and play defense.”
During instructional league, the Royals had Burt concentrate on bunting.
“(In pro ball) you (fall into a) slump every now and then,” Burt said. “I can use my ability to bunt to keep me going.”
Burt is on track to begin this season at high Class A Wilmington.
ROYALTIES
• Outfielder Roman Collins, a 2015 fifth-round pick, hit .336 over the winter in the Australian Baseball League to rank third in the batting race. His 12 doubles were one behind the league leaders.
• Catcher Meibrys Viloria, the 2016 Pioneer League MVP and batting title winner at .376, will play for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic. Shortstop Mauricio Ramos will also play for the Colombian team.
— Alan Eskew is a writer based in Kansas City
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