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Burke’s Return to Fort Wayne (sort of)
By Chad Gramling | April 28, 2008
Last summer, I watched with a lot of interest when Michael Barrett was traded from the Cubs to the Padres. However, that was the least interesting part of it. The other components of that trade saw Fort Wayne native, Rob Bowen traded to the Cubs (only to be traded to the A’s for Jason Kendall a short time later). Also in that deal was Kyler Burke, who was a member of the Fort Wayne Wizards at the time.
This past weekend, his former team came to Peoria where - as a member of the Peoria Chiefs - they faced Burke. Burke sat out of Sunday’s series finale, but he hit .429 against his former team during the first two games of the series.
Said Peoria Chief’s manager, Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg: “I see him hitting for power. I don’t see why he can’t hit for average also. He brings a lot of tools he just needs to find a way to deliver it every day” [source: PJStar.com]
Burke currently ranks as the number 13 prospect in the Chicago Cubs’ system according to Baseball America. He was 14th in the Padres system last year.
Peoria doesn’t come to Fort Wayne until July 26th, which begins a three game series. Provided Burke is still on the team, I believe that will be his first return to Fort Wayne.
Photo by Chad Gramling
