Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | STL | OF | 20 | 40 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 50 | 40 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Matt Thompson
Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 212 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 2C
RuleV: 2023
Physical Description: Was also a left-handed starter in college. Sat 87-90, was a two-way player for East Carolina and also the Collegiate National team. Was announced as an outfielder by the Cardinals and won't pitch. Could see some time at first base? Really likeable with an upbeat personality. Plays smaller than he is. Hit over power profile looking to close the gap between his raw power and game power.
Hit: Hit over power profile with a flat left-handed swing. Above-average bat speed with a strong feel for the barrel. Strong eye and will rarely chase, but lefties with a sweeping slider give him fits. Will get swing happy at times, but he covers the plate well. Battles. Line drives from line to line, will take what's given to him, and serve a line drive into left. Above-average hitter against right-handers. Likely platoon issues drop him half a grade. Grade: 50
Power: Above-average raw power but the overall tool plays down in games. Will sacrifice power to make more contact. As is, he's a doubles hitter more than masher. Fringe-average power grade, but another grade worth of raw pop. Grade: 45
Field: Strong defender at first with good hands and actions. Was announced as an outfielder by the Cardinals, but of course didn't see game action. Pitched and played first base while with East Carolina, and I haven't seen him in the outfield. Fair to make an assumption based on size and speed that he's likely below-average. Grade: 40
Arm: Had a strong arm while playing first, and obviously was a pitcher as well. Haven't seen him make any throws from the outfield though, which is an entirely different motion Grade: 50
Run: Good enough athlete with enough speed and instincts to play the outfield in my opinion, just won't be viewed as a positive asset out there. Grade: 40
Overall: Burleson is a big league contributor that can become a big league regular if he finds another gear on offense. It wouldn't be unusual for him to become better offensively now that he's not focusing on pitching. As of now he's a bench bat, and he could work his way to the strong side of a platoon or an everyday role.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Below-Avg. Player - Bench/Platoon Role
Risk: Moderate
