As the league continues to be in a lockout, the White Sox haven’t stopped adding via minor league transactions.
Today, they added to their middle infield depth, signing 2B D.J. Burt to a minor league deal. The deal was announced via MiLB-Transactions on Twitter.
Burt, 26, is a 5’9″ second baseman who was drafted out of Fuquay-Varina High School in the 4th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. He spent the 2021 season in both High-A and Double-A, slashing .286/.370/.388 (.758 OPS) across both Arizona and Minnesota affiliates. Throughout his career, he has had pretty good plate discipline. He consistently walks about 10%-12% of the time while only striking out in around 20% of his at-bats. However, with a career slugging percentage of .341, it appears the lack of power is what holds Burt back offensively.
He also is a solid defender, and in addition to 2B, has played 3B, SS, and all three OF positions over the course of his minor league career.
Here was what Perfect Game USA had to say about Burt back in 2012 as he was being considered for the draft:
“Compact athletic build, live body, quick-twitch athleticism. Quick hands, loose wrists, accelerates the bat very well. Deep load, line drive swing plane, late decider, good bat speed, surprising strength at contact with more to come as his slender frame fills out. Plus defensive CF, quick first step, fast runner, quick acceleration, short arm action, strong arm, good carry on online throws. Solid in MIF and could potentially develop into a high-level defender there as well, though more advanced as OF at present.“
Burt spent some time in the Australian Baseball League during the COVID-pandemic, hitting .338/.403/.400 in 16 games in Melbourne while unable to play a minor league season in 2020.
According to MiLB.com, Burt was assigned to AA-Birmingham upon being signed to the organization. For now, he serves as organizational depth at a position that doesn’t have much depth.
Some players bloom at a later age than others, and the White Sox are hoping this might be the case for Burt. Only time will tell as he gets more at-bats within the organization.
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Featured Image: Wilmington Blue Rocks (@WilmBlueRocks) / Twitter
