Chris Burke

2013

There was no outlook written for Chris Burke.

2009

The change of scenery didn't help revive Burke's flatlining career, as he posted a meager .194/.310/.273 line in 165 unproductive at-bats for Arizona. Even when everyday second baseman Orlando Hudson was lost for the season with a wrist injury, the D-Backs eventually acquired David Eckstein to handle the job after splitting time between Burke and Augie Ojeda. Second base became an organizational weakness after the team's decision to trade prospect Emilio Bonifacio to Washington for Jon Rauch at the trade deadline, but Burke was non-tendered by the D-Backs after the team signed Felipe Lopez to take over the everyday job in December.

2008

Burke doesn't seem to fit in Arizona after an offseason trade from Houston as the Diamondbacks don't have an everyday job open for him and have a ton of young utility options. Burke was given a shot to be the Astros' everyday center fielder last year, but could not hold onto the job. Top prospect Hunter Pence was called up in May, and he quickly wrestled the position from Burke's hands. Burke hit a paltry .229 and his OBP was an awful .304 in 319 at-bats. His playing time and role for 2008 are in doubt and his once promising fantasy future is fading quickly.

2007

Burke, who hit .276 with a .347 OBP, nine homers, 40 RBI and 11 steals in 366 at-bats in 2006, underwent offseason shoulder surgery to repair damage due to repeated separations. With Willy Taveras now in Colorado, Burke will be the Opening Day center fielder and he may be worth a late round flier as his speed gives him value in any format. He also qualifies at second base this year, and might just see a lot of time there if the Astros deem Hunter Pence major league-ready.

2006

Burke made the defensive adjustment to left field better than the offensive one, not hitting enough to carry his weight. Craig Biggio's contract means Burke will be playing out of position for another year, and is close to sliding from prospect to bench player. Speed gives him some fantasy value in deep leagues, especially since he should be 2B-eligible. Not much upside.

2005

Burke was named the 2004 Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year, hitting .315 with 16 home runs, 52 RBI and 37 stolen bases in 123 games for Triple-A New Orleans. He's expected to audition, alongside Craig Biggio, Jose Vizcaino and Eric Bruntlett for the starting second base job.

2004

Burke performed relatively well in a return engagement at Double-A Round Rock last season, recovering the plate discipline that he showed at lower levels before losing it in 2002. He's probably another year away from his major league debut, but he has more upside than any other middle infielder in the Astros' system.

2003

Burke was the Astros' first-round draft pick in the 2001 draft. He struggled in 2002, playing the full season at Double-A Round Rock. He seemed to have sacrificed his plate discipline in exchange for contact, and came out on the short end of the stick in both areas, posting a .330 on-base percentage and a .356 slugging percentage. This is all the more disappointing because Round Rock is a hitters' park. It's too early to write Burke off yet, but our expectations and those of the Astros have been tempered.