Western Nebraska Community College baseball coach Mike Jones thought he found a prized recruit when he signed Miami’s Jarrett Burgess to a letter of intent earlier this spring.
After the Major League Baseball draft last week, the Seattle Mariners found something special in Burgess as they drafted the centerfield in the 6th round with the 196th pick overall. Burgress, thus, signed with the Mariners, foregoing his college eligibility and his trip to Scottsbluff next year.
“I had spoken with him on Wednesday [of last week]. We knew he was going to get drafted, but we just didn’t think it was going to be that high,” Jones said. “I am happy for him. He will get a big signing bonus and a chance at his dream.”
Burgress has all the tools to excel at the next level. The 2008 Florida Christian High School graduate stands 6-foot-3 and Jones said he has all the tools in making it big in the Big Leagues.
“He was a good, strong player,” Jones said. “he was big for a centerfielder and was still pretty quick. He has all the tools to be a great player. We are certainly happy for him. We were excited to have the opportunity to have him and we were excited to watch him grow.”
The loss of Burgess, Jones is back on the recruiting trail to try and find another outfielder.
“He had every intention to play for us and then go on to play in the major leagues [before the draft],” he said. “We now have to replace him and it isn’t easy to find a guy with his ability and talent.”
So far, the Cougar baseball team has signed five players for next season, including Dan Bauer of Bemidji, Minn. Bauer played for the Cougars two seasons ago.
The other recruits signed so far include Ben Dorn of Calhan, Colo., Elvis Garcia of Miami, Armani Gonzlaez of Coral Gables, Fla., and Tim Kupfner of Superior, Colo. Kupfner’s brother Josh played for the Cougars a couple of years ago.
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