Brian Burres
Encyclopedia
Brian Burres is a Major League Baseball
left-handed
pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Burres' best pitch is his changeup
, which is highly regarded. He also has a high 80s-low 90 MPH fastball
and a decent curveball
.
, where he was named both Conference Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in 1999, his senior year. Burres went on to play at Mount Hood Community College
for two years, being drafted by the San Francisco Giants
after one year.
. 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.
. Burres never cleared waivers, so the Orioles released him. Six days later, he was assigned to Triple-A Ottawa
.
He made his major league debut with the Orioles in 2006, but spent most of that season with AAA Norfolk
. He was promoted to the Orioles for most of the 2007 season. 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
.
In , however, Burres was designated for assignment to make room for Rich Hill on the roster.
.
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, 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. 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.
with an invite to spring training. He was non-tendered after the season.
. Brian is the son of Nancy and Kirk, and has two other brothers, Kevin and Patrick.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Burres' best pitch is his changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
, which is highly regarded. He also has a high 80s-low 90 MPH fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and a decent curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
.
School
Burres attended Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, OregonGresham, Oregon
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 90,205 people, 33,327 households, and 22,695 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,071.6 people per square mile . There were 35,309 housing units at an average density of 1,593.8 per square mile...
, where he was named both Conference Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in 1999, his senior year. Burres went on to play at Mount Hood Community College
Mount Hood Community College
Mt. Hood Community College is a public community college in Gresham, Oregon, United States, named after Mount Hood. Opened in 1966, MHCC enrolls nearly 26,000 students each year and offers classes at the main campus in Gresham, the MHCC Maywood Park Center, and evening education centers at area...
for two years, being drafted by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
after one year.
San Francisco Giants
He was originally drafted by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He was in the Giants' system for three years. Following the 2005 season, the Giants signed utility infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
José Vizcaíno
José Vizcaíno
José Luis Vizcaíno Pimental is a former Major League Baseball player. He was a backup infielder for most of his MLB career. In , he played a significant role with the Chicago Cubs, having 551 at-bats and being 9th in the National League with 131 singles as well as second in the NL with 9 sacrifice...
. They made room for Vizcaíno on the roster by designating Burres for assignment. He pitched for the Connecticut Defenders
Connecticut Defenders
The Connecticut Defenders were a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which played in the Eastern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club from 2003 until following the 2009 season, when the Defenders relocated to Richmond,...
prior to being designated. He was later released.
Baltimore Orioles
Burres Was picked up on waivers by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. Burres never cleared waivers, so the Orioles released him. Six days later, he was assigned to Triple-A Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
.
He made his major league debut with the Orioles in 2006, but spent most of that season with AAA Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. He was promoted to the Orioles for most of the 2007 season. Burres was named the fifth starter in the Orioles rotation to open the 2008 season, after a competition in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with teammate Matt Albers
Matt Albers
Matthew James Albers is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-High school:In 2001, Albers graduated William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas...
.
In , however, Burres was designated for assignment to make room for Rich Hill on the roster.
Toronto Blue Jays
On February 4, 2009, Burres was claimed by the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
.
Burres spent spring training 2009 with Toronto, and was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
. With Toronto dealing with early-season injuries to several pitchers, Burres was recalled to the majors by the Jays on April 24, 2009, and made his first appearance for Toronto the next day, starting on the road against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. 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. Jays' manager Cito Gaston
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
stated that Burres would remain in the rotation until several of Toronto's injured pitchers make their return to active duty.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On January 4, 2010, Burres signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
with an invite to spring training. He was non-tendered after the season.
Personal life
Brian has an identical twin brother, Greg, who resides in the Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
. Brian is the son of Nancy and Kirk, and has two other brothers, Kevin and Patrick.