Just writing in to express my genuine excitement about a Giants position player that: a) came up through our farm system, and b) is 23 years old.
Emmanuel Burriss is all guts and flash, and he's already achieved second-favorite-player status with me (see Lincecum, Tim).
And as he's now starting on a regular basis, I think it's officially time for Burriss jerseys to start selling in waves around the Bay Area. Talk about a player you can build a team (and a marketing strategy) around.
For a taste of what I'm referring to, here's a recap of five thrilling Emmanuel Burriss plays from last night's win over the Padres
1. Decently hit line drive between first and second base. Burriss (playing second) takes two quick steps to his left and makes a full-extension diving catch with his head angled at the right-field corner.
2. Lays down a bunt down the third-base line on the first pitch he sees from 2007 Cy Young winner Jake Peavy for the Giants' first hit. Bunt is so good that the third baseman eats the ball.
3. On the next pitch of the game, Barry Zito lays down a good bunt towards the third baseman. Seeing that no one is covering third, Burriss (without hesitation) blazes around second base and goes for third.
Padres second baseman Tadahito Iguchi makes an incredible throw back to third to hit the third baseman just as he arrives back at the base. Burriss is out by a foot. It's an aggressive, heads-up play against Peavy though, and I think he would've made it four out of five times.
4. In the eighth, Burriss puts down a drag bunt between the pitcher and the first baseman. The ball gets by the pitcher, and is played by the charging Iguchi, who barehands the ball and tosses to first. Burriss slides headfirst into the bag. He's called out, but it's a bang-bang play that could've gone either way.
5. With two outs in the top of the ninth, and the Giants leading 1-0, Burriss comes to the plate with Rich Aurillia on second base. He singles to left to give the Giants a much-needed insurance run. They win 2-0.
Not bad for a 23-year old kid getting his first real shot on a team that badly needs young, exciting position players to build around.
13 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Thomas Brown 11 months ago
One lucky game..
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Evan Aczon 11 months ago
not even. With the exception of Bowker, Burriss has been the most solid rookie out of this bunch. Something that they talked about on the post-game show that was also out there put him in the same category as Omar Vizquel: they said when he steps on the baseball field, you can tell that there's not one place that he feels more comfortable than on that field. that's something that is great to have around a team. I'm rooting for this kid, and I think that next year I'd like to see Frandsen give third another try so that we could have Ochoa and Burriss up the middle.
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Danny Penza 11 months ago
definitely becoming one of my favorites. did fist pumps when the giants drafted him.
gotta say the 2006 draft is working out with lincecum and burriss being the first two picks.
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Mike Eagan 11 months ago
You've gotta love this kid's athleticism and intangibles (Sabean's wet dream!). He clearly has skills with the glove, and it is interesting that the Giants have decided to showcase him at 2B not SS, feeling he could be one of the best defensive second basemen in the game. He hasn't been blistering at the plate, but he's been far from overmatched and done a very nice job getting on base. As you noted, aggressive but fairly smart on the basepaths.
But most of all, whenever you see him interviewed, he brings a genuine exuberance and excitement that is plastered all over his face. His background as the first MLB player from Washington DC since the Truman adminstration (made that up, but could be true) just adds to the package.
So yes, David. I will endorse your pick of Emmanuel Burriss as Favorite Giant No. 2, formerly occupied by Omar Vizquel circa 2006.
(And glad to see you finally excited about baseball again. Looking forward to your pieces on Ivan Ochoa and Sergio Romo.)
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Ray Moreno 11 months ago
" and it is interesting that the Giants have decided to showcase him at 2B not SS, feeling he could be one of the best defensive second basemen in the game. "
I know why the Giants have choose to put him at second. Have you checked out Ochoa at SS the kid makes no false moves. he is a natural his footwork is impecable. this guy looks like Omar 15 years ago. I was at the game Wednesday and he went back on a pop up that even Omar would of had trouble with and made it very routine as well as a back handed play that was made to look routine that Wowed me. His footwork is excellent he made a couple of plays on TV the other day that most would of had hard time of making or make and very close he made them with ease.
Ochoa is the man at Shortstop!!! get used to it
for all you Frandsen lovers this guy cant make the Fresno team at second or third. let alone the ML team cut it out all ready on him at third. No way will the Giants be competitive with Frandsen at third next year.
Giants this off Season need to concentrate on moving surplus of starting pitchers for legit power bats at third and first.
GO GIANTS !!!! Ochoa is the man at Shortstop.
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Franz Coleman 11 months ago
in 2 years he will be the defensive player of the year
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Isaac Barrow 11 months ago
i like him and im not particularly a giants fan
hes from my area, i live in suburban MD, he lived in DC
his stats arent excellent (8 RBI, .270), but thats just 150 ab's
next year, he'll be good
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Danny Penza 11 months ago
he basically the new spokesman for DC baseball and loves it. the kid is humble and he carries himself the way a player should. class act.
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Ryan Atkinson 11 months ago
lol defensive player of the year its called a gold glove bud, but i completely agree the man will be good
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Michael Artuso 9 months ago
Like Isaac, I am not much of a Giants fan either, but I really like Burriss. He fits the build of a truly great leadoff hitter who can be a spark for the Giants now and in the future. From an outsider it really seemed like the Giants were in shambles, but looking at their team now there r a lot of bright spots in Burriss, Sandoval, Ishikawa, Schierholtz, and not to mention Hinshaw and Romo in the pen. They could prob compete next year if all goes well.
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Andrew Nuschler 8 months ago
Umm, I know I'm late to the party but this was awesome.
Burriss is a stud and a class act too (see Wills, Maury).
Looking forward to him next year. Great read.
Andrew
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Dave Finocchio 8 months ago
Thanks. I really hope the Burriss trade rumors are all fluff. I'd pay to see him for a long time.
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Andrew Nuschler 8 months ago
Ugh, hadn't even heard those yet. I'm still trying to figure out if the ones I heard about Cain make any sense.
Andrew
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