Blue Jays minor-leaguer Andy Burns headed to KBO

Andy Burns made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2016, appearing in 10 games

Toronto Blue Jays minor-league utility man Andy Burns is taking his talents to Korea, reports Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency.

Burns will be joining the Lotte Giants, who are coming off a 66-77 season. The 26-year-old will reportedly earn $650,000 USD on a one-year deal that includes a $50,000 signing bonus.

After recently losing his 40-man roster spot with the Blue Jays, this move makes sense for Burns as he looks to re-establish his bat professionally. Last season with triple-A Buffalo, Burns hit just .230 with an OPS of .636 (over .100 points below his career MiLB average).

Versatility continues to be Burns’ calling card as a pro. He’s seen time at first, second, third, shortstop, and both corner outfield positions in the minors, so if he is able to regain his swing, there should be plenty of opportunities back in North America if he wishes to return after the 2017 season.

“Being an infielder my whole life, the outfield has kind of been a tougher transition,” Burns told Jays Journal back in May. “But with [Tim] Leiper in spring and being with [Kevin] Pillar, those guys helped me out a bunch and I’m finally feeling like, in the outfield, I’m starting to get comfortable out there. As comfortable as I am in the infield.”

Burns was a long shot to push for an MLB roster spot this coming spring, but with little change to the organization’s infield depth at the AAA/MLB level, it’s conceivable that he could have positioned himself for another look later in the season with solid numbers in an everyday role in Buffalo.

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This move will have an impact on the Bisons roster as Burns’ ability to play all over the diamond made roster management much easier in 2016. With players constantly coming and going at the triple-A level, versatility and availability are two ever-important boxes that Burns checked off.

Burns was originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of the University of Arizona.