Josh Burrus

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #19 prospect in 2006
  Three years into Burrus' pro career, he was hitting .225 and struggling to get out of Rookie ball. The Braves' patience with young prospects may have paid off again, as he showed encouraging signs of development in 2004 before breaking through last season in high Class A. Frequently distracted in the past with his status as a former supplemental first-round pick, he displayed a new focus and confidence in 2005. A cousin of former all-star Jeffrey Hammonds, Burrus boasts impressive tools across the board. Rated the fastest baserunner in the Carolina League last year, he has the best hands for hitting among Braves farmhands. He possesses significant pop thanks to his quick wrists, and his all-around athleticism should enable him to make many of the necessary adjustments at the game's highest levels. Drafted as a shortstop before moving to third base and left field, he's still learning how to make better reads and take better routes on fly balls. His arm strength is just average for left field, and his strike-zone judgment may prove to be his final stumbling block. Still, Burrus has made major strides and should open 2006 back in Double-A.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #25 prospect in 2005
  A cousin of Jeffrey Hammonds, Burrus was considered one of the most advanced prep hitters in the 2001 draft. But after going 29th overall and signing for $1.25 million, he took three years to escape Rookie ball and entered last season with a .225 career average. However, his stock is on the rise again after he made some adjustments in low Class A and set career highs across the board. Burrus possesses strong, quick wrists and finally began driving the ball to all fields as it was anticipated he would do coming out of high school. Like many of Atlanta's position prospects, he must address his strike zone judgment and make more consistent contact. He also has above-average speed and shows the makings of becoming a plus baserunner. Defensively, the Braves tried Burrus at shortstop and third base before moving him to left field in 2003. He has good range but modest arm strength. He faces a pivotal season in high Class A this year, when he can prove if the gains he made in 2004 were for real.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #25 prospect in 2002
  Burrus struggled in his first taste of professional baseball after being drafted 29th overall last June. He had difficulty making adjustments at the plate in the Gulf Coast League, and his defense looked out of kilter for most of the summer. As a result, the Braves moved Burrus to third base during instructional league while giving him some time in left field. Atlanta officials believe he'll blossom now that he has gotten his feet wet as a pro and feels more comfortable on defense. He has an outstanding arm with plus speed and excellent allaround athleticism. Burrus also possess great bat speed that generates the best raw power of anyone in the Braves' 2001 draft class. An aggressive hitter, he showed a lack of patience in the GCL and tended to carry any difficulties at the plate to other aspects of his game. A cousin of the Brewers' Jeffrey Hammonds, Burrus will be expected to settle in this year at Macon and start to show why he was considered one of the top high school hitters available in the 2001 draft.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #20 prospect in 2005
  Burrus looked like a first-round bust when he hit .225 and couldn't get out of Rookie ball in his first three pro seasons. He took some baby steps forward in 2004 then surged this year, totaling 16 homers at three levels and making it up to Triple-A. He has extremely quick hands and wrists, and he showed more patience this season. He still can get pull-happy, but he has gotten more consistent at keeping his swing short and hitting balls to the opposite field. Burrus always has been a threat on the bases with his above-average speed, and he's more of a weapon now that he studies pitchers' tendencies and understands game situations. A lack of arm strength limits him to left field.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #18 prospect in 2001
  The Braves had both of the first-round picks who played in the GCL this year, but neither Burrus nor lefthander Macay McBride made a tremendous impression on managers. Burrus, one of the best hitting prospects in this year's high school class, batted only .193. "He struggled but he was never overmatched at the plate," Albert said. "He's got great bat speed and can hit a fastball. I have no doubt he'll hit down the line." There was more concern was Burrus' longterm future at shortstop. Every Eastern Division manager projected Burrus as a future third baseman or left fielder, though none had any doubt his bat will play at those positions. "He doesn't have outstanding infield actions," Dangler said. "He fields it OK, but he doesn't have the smooth catch-and-release mechanics you look for. His arm strength is adequate."

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  The Braves had both of the first-round picks who played in the GCL this year, but neither Burrus nor lefthander Macay McBride made a tremendous impression on managers. Burrus, one of the best hitting prospects in this year's high school class, batted only .193. "He struggled but he was never overmatched at the plate," Albert said. "He's got great bat speed and can hit a fastball. I have no doubt he'll hit down the line." There was more concern was Burrus' longterm future at shortstop. Every Eastern Division manager projected Burrus as a future third baseman or left fielder, though none had any doubt his bat will play at those positions. "He doesn't have outstanding infield actions," Dangler said. "He fields it OK, but he doesn't have the smooth catch-and-release mechanics you look for. His arm strength is adequate."