T.J. Burton

Timothy Joseph Burton

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 185 lb.
• High School Notre Dame High School (Ottawa)

• Born July 30, 1983 in Ottawa, ON Canada

BR minors page

Biographical Information

T.J. Burton pitched his 6th minor league season in 2007. He has played for Team Canada at times.

Burton was a member of the Canadian Junior National Team in 2001.

Burton was picked in the 18th round of the 2001 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians. He debuted in 2002 with the Burlington Indians, going 1-4 with a 7.36 ERA. In 2003, T.J. was little better, with a 4-2, 6.79 record for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers; opponents hit .316.

In 2004, Burton made strides, going 2-1 with 2 saves and a 3.80 ERA for the Lake County Captains. In 39 relief stints, he worked 94 2/3 innings as a long relief pitcher. Burton returned to Lake County in 2005 and was 4-8 with 2 saves and an identical 3.80 ERA, walking 20 in 71 innings. After Rob Butler injured his wrist, Burton was added for Canada's roster for the 2005 Baseball World Cup. He pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in the event but allowed seven hits.

Burton spent 2006 with the Kinston Indians, going 2-5 with 19 saves and a 5.36 ERA. Opponents hit .318, including .365 by left-handed batters. He still finished second in the Carolina League in saves. In the 2006 COPABE Olympic Qualifiers, he allowed 3 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs in two innings yet notched one save for Canada.

T.J. split 2007 between Kinston (5-0, 1.75, 29 K in 25 2/3 IP) and the Akron Aeros (2-2, 3.86, .303 opponent average). He allowed two runs (one earned) in 3 innings for Team Canada in the 2007 Baseball World Cup.

In the 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament, he allowed two runs (both unearned) in two innings. He finished up the 15-10 win over Mexico. Against the South Korean national team, he had trouble protecting a 4-1, 9th inning lead. Dae-ho Lee and Taek-keun Lee got on base and a grounder scored Lee. Joo-chan Kim singled in Taek-keun Lee before Mike Kusiewicz entered to save the game for Canada.

Burton struck out 5 in 3 2/3 scoreless innings over 5 games in the 2008 Olympics but allowed 7 baserunners. He also played for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Sources

• 2008 Indians Media Guide
• 2003-2008 Baseball Almanacs
• IBAF site
• 2008 Canadian Olympic Roster