Emmanuel Burriss
Orleans 2005
Infielder
Kent State
Of all the tools that are shown off on Cape League fields, elite speed seems to be the most elusive. You see plenty of blazing fastballs and off-the-table curveballs, plenty of power and contact hitting. But speed? Sometimes, it’s just not there.
In 2005, it was there, thanks to entirely to Emmanuel “Manny” Burriss.
You could make a pretty convincing argument that Burriss is the most exciting Cape League position player of the decade. His overall numbers were not overwhelming — he has the lowest average and the lowest number of homers and RBI on this list — but his speed changed the game. And he did have a few stats that stood out, one in particular: 37 steals, the highest total of the decade.
Burriss was also a crucial piece of the puzzle for an Orleans team that went on to win the league championship. He led the league in hits and was third in runs scored. In a league where teams sometimes struggle to find everyday leadoff hitters, Burriss was the prototype.
And he was at his best when it counted the most. In the three-game championship series, Burriss went 5-for-13 with four runs scored and two RBI. He scored the only run of Orleans’ 1-0 game-one win on a tag-up from third then went 4-for-6 with three runs and two RBI as the Cardinals blasted Bourne 13-1 in game three.
He was selected as the Playoff Co-MVP, along with teammate Brad Meyers. He was also tabbed as the all-league shortstop.
After the Cape
Burriss was drafted in the first round (33rd overall) by the Giants in the 2006 draft, with his speed as the primary draw.
He climbed the ranks quickly and made his debut with the big-league club in 2008, which was just his second full season in pro ball. That year, he played in 95 games for the Giants and hit .283 with 13 steals. In 2009, he split time between the majors and Triple A before a toe injury ended his season. He’s expected to be ready for spring training.
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