Prospect Report: Could the A’s Billy Burns Provide Value In 2015?

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

In effort to keep Crisp healthy and on field, Melvin says they’re gonna try him in LF. #Athletics

— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) March 4, 2015

That’s a tidbit that’s easy for fantasy owners to have overlooked.  While the general feeling is that Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry will see time in centerfield, neither are guarantees to make an impact.  It’s also not like Coco Crisp or Josh Reddick are pillars of health, meaning there should be an opportunity for a youngster to emerge…

Billy Burns has opened up eyes this spring and could quickly emerge:

.345 (20-58), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 15 R, 4 SB

He also has been producing extra base hits (2 doubles, 3 triples) while making consistent contact (6 K).  Those are impressive numbers and, as a natural centerfielder, he could be forcing his way into the mix.

Burns isn’t considered a prospect, with MLB.com ranking him 21st in the A’s system and saying:

“Billy has top-of-the-scale speed, and he makes the most of it. He uses a patient and contact-oriented approach to get on base and create havoc. The A’s have worked with him to start driving the ball more, which would help him keep defenses honest.”

His speed has never been a question, posting 128 SB over the past two seasons (74 on 2013 and 54 in 2014).  He has always been able to make consistent contact, with a 13.4% strikeout rate, as well as draw walks, 11.9%.

Your typical no power threat, this spring could be a sign of things to come.  He did own a 19.4% line drive rate in ’14, showing some potential, and playing in Oakland’s cavernous home stadium should also allow him the opportunity to generate extra base hits.

Burns is obviously not a guarantee to produce, but the potential is there to help buoy your team in stolen bases.  In AL-Only formats he’s a must stash option and, in deeper formats he is worth considering as well.  Once he gets the job, though, he’ll hold value in all formats.

Sources – MLB.com, Baseball Reference, Minor League Central

Make sure to check out all of our 2015 rankings:

• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Third Basemen
• Shortstops
• Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40
• Starting Pitchers: 1-20 | 21-40
• Relief Pitchers

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Source: http://rotoprofessor.com/baseball/?p=25708