{{short description|American baseball player (born 1981)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Jared Burton | image = Jared Burton on July 30, 2012.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = Burton with the Minnesota Twins | position = Pitcher | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|6|2}} | birth_place = Westminster, South Carolina, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right |debutleague = MLB | debutdate = April 4 | debutyear = 2007 | debutteam = Cincinnati Reds |finalleague = MLB | finaldate = September 24 | finalyear = 2014 | finalteam = Minnesota Twins |statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 18–19 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 3.44 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 305 | teams = * Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2011}}) * Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2014}}) }} '''Levi Jared Burton''' (born June 2, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins.
==Early life== Burton was born in Westminster, South Carolina. He graduated from West-Oak High School in Westminster. He attended Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=Jared-Burton|title= Jared Burton|publisher= The Baseball Cube|access-date= October 3, 2012}}</ref>
He was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the eighth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burtoja01.shtml|title= Jared Burton|publisher= Baseball-Reference.Com|access-date= October 3, 2012}}</ref> After spending five years in the Athletics minor league system, he became eligible for the 2006 Rule 5 draft. He was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Cincinnati Reds. Burton has spent three years in Cincinnati which has included 132 appearances and 138 innings pitched as a reliever.
==Professional career==
===Oakland Athletics=== The Oakland Athletics selected Burton out of Western Carolina University in the eighth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft. He lost his remaining eligibility at Western Carolina by signing with Oakland on June 12, 2002.<ref name="br">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burtoja01.shtml|title=Jared Burton|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> The A's sent him to their Single-A affiliate, the Vancouver Canadians. With Vancouver he had a 0–4 win–loss record with a 3.58 earned run average (ERA) in 13 games. He followed up his 2002 season with 15 appearances for the Kane County Cougars in 2003. With Kane County he improved both his win–loss ratio to 2–1 and his ERA to 2.27. The 2004 season was less consistent for Burton, splitting time between two of the Athletics farm teams, the Arizona League Athletics (AZL Athletics) (Rookie League) and the Modesto A's (Single-A). Burton had a 1–0 record and a 4.16 ERA with the AZL Athletics. While in Modesto he had a 3–2 win–loss ratio and a 4.78 ERA. Overall, Burton pitched a combined 53.2 innings in 15 games in 2004. Burton spent the 2005 season with the Stockton Ports, another Oakland Single-A affiliate and went 4–4 with a 2.60 ERA. The 2006 season would turn out to be Burton's final year in Oakland's farm system, and Burton spent it with the Midland RockHounds. With the RockHounds he had a 6–5 record and a 4.14 ERA in a then career high 53 appearances.<ref name="cube">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/B/Jared-Burton.shtml|title=Jared Burton|publisher=The Baseball Cube|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref>
[[File:Jared Burton on the mound in September 2008.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Burton pitching for the Cincinnati Reds in {{Mlby|2008}}.]]
===Cincinnati Reds=== The Cincinnati Reds selected Burton in the major league portion of the 2006 Rule 5 draft<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061207&content_id=1753689&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak|title=A's acquire Goleski from Rays|last=Street|first=Jim|date=December 7, 2006|work=MLB.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> meaning he has to stay on the Reds 25–man active roster all year unless injured or he returns to his previous team. He made his major league debut on April 4, 2007, and pitched in one third of an inning while walking three.<ref name=DL /> On April 8, 2007, Burton was placed on the disabled list after straining a hamstring running in the outfield.<ref name=DL>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070408&content_id=1886381&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Notes: Milton activated, Burton to DL|last=Wallner|first=Jeff|date=April 8, 2007|work=MLB.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> Burton was sent to both Triple-A Louisville<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070417&content_id=1914753&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Notes: Gonzalez rejoins Reds|last=Sheldon|first=Mark|date=April 18, 2007|work=MLB.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> and Double-A Chattanooga on a rehab assignment<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_106364.asp|title=Lookouts Receive Reds Pitcher on Rehab Assignment|date=April 27, 2007|work=The Chattanoogan|access-date=2009-08-03|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807215157/http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_106364.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> and had a combined 1–1 record with a 6.23 ERA.<ref name="cube" /> He was taken off the disabled list on May 9, when Eric Milton had an inflamed elbow.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/reds/2007-05-09-milton-disabled-list_N.htm|title=Reds' Milton goes on DL with sore elbow|date=May 9, 2007|work=USA Today|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> Overall, for the season Burton went 4–2 with a 2.51 ERA while making 47 appearances.<ref name="br" /> After putting together a 4–1 record with a 2.23 ERA in 43 games, he strained a muscle in his chest causing him to go on the disabled list on July 19, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.matin.qc.ca/articles/20080719183907/mlb_les_reds_placent_nom_jared_burton_sur_liste_des_blesses.html|title=Les Reds placent le nom de Jared Burton sur la liste des blessés|date=July 19, 2008|agency=The Canadian Press|language=fr|access-date=2009-08-03}}{{Dead link|date=October 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Two days earlier it was reported that Burton did not have to go on the disabled list, but he was bothered by it in a bullpen session the day before he was due back.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080717&content_id=3144765&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Reds place Hairston on 15-day DL|last=Sheldon|first=Mark|date=July 17, 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x2038881480/Reds-put-Burton-on-DL-bring-back-Coffey|title=Reds put Burton on DL, bring back Coffey |date=July 19, 2008|agency=The Associated Press|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> On August 4, he suffered another setback while throwing in a bullpen session, when he felt tenderness in the muscle.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280805117|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808232636/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280805117|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2008|title=Fielder apologizes, homers as Bush, Brewers dominate Reds|date=August 5, 2008|agency=The Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> Finally, on August 15, Burton threw a pain free bullpen session<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=3313860&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Burton throws bullpen session|last=Sheldon|first=Mark|date=August 15, 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> and followed that up with another painfree simulated game on August 22.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080822&content_id=3350859&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Burton pain-free in simulated game|last=Sheldon|first=Mark|date=August 22, 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> On August 28, Burton was sent to Louisville for a rehab assignment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080826&content_id=3371373&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Burton ready for rehab assignment|last=Sheldon|first=Mark|date=August 26, 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores108/108241/MLB796884.htm|title=Wigginton homers twice in Astros' win over Reds|date=August 28, 2008|work=USA Today|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> The Reds activated Burton from the disabled list on September 2, 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2008-09-02/reds-activate-burton-dl-recall-ramirez|title=Reds activate Burton from DL, recall Ramirez|date=September 2, 2008|agency=The Associated Press|work=The Sporting News|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> after he had a 4.50 ERA in two games for Louisville.<ref name="cube" /> Despite missing almost a month and a half due to injury, Burton pitched in a career high 54 games and posted a 5–1 record with a 3.22 ERA.<ref name="br" />
Burton began the 2011 season on the DL and was shut down from throwing due to shoulder inflammation on April 9.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110409&content_id=17553008¬ebook_id=17553012&vkey=notebook_cin&c_id=cin| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110411215933/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110409&content_id=17553008¬ebook_id=17553012&vkey=notebook_cin&c_id=cin| archive-date = 2011-04-11| title = Burton shut down from throwing}}</ref>
On October 31, 2011, Burton was outrighted to the Louisville Bats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/10/31/reds-pick-up-phillips-option-decline-corderos-outright-thompson-burton/ |title=Reds pick up Phillips' option, decline Cordero's, outright Thompson, Burton |access-date=October 31, 2011 |archive-date=November 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102155530/http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/10/31/reds-pick-up-phillips-option-decline-corderos-outright-thompson-burton/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He declared free agency on November 1.
===Minnesota Twins=== On November 12, 2011, Burton signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. After an impressive spring training and some complications for fellow Twins pitchers Scott Baker and Jason Marquis, Burton made the 2012 Opening Day roster. In his first season with the Twins, Burton appeared in 64 games, going 3–2 with a 2.18 ERA and 55 strikeouts.
In 2013, Burton's ERA grew higher, as it finished at 3.82 and his record was 2–9 in a career high 71 games. He became a free agent following the season.
===New York Yankees=== On February 16, 2015, Burton signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and was invited to spring training. He didn't get to pitch in the Bronx, as he was released prior to the start of the season on March 26.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150326&content_id=115034450&oid=36019|title=New York Yankees unconditionally release Jared Burton|work=yesnetwork.com }}</ref> On March 29, Burton was re-signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/115395854/yankees-bring-back-jared-burton-three-days-after-release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331184946/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/115395854/yankees-bring-back-jared-burton-three-days-after-release|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2015|title=Yanks bring back Burton three days after release}}</ref> After appearing in 4 games for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Burton was released on May 16.<ref name=espnap>{{cite news|title=Jared Burton agrees to minor league contract with Rangers|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12946865|access-date=May 25, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=May 24, 2015}}</ref>
===Texas Rangers=== On May 24, 2015, Burton signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.<ref name=espnap/> In 12 appearances for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, he recorded an 0.90 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 10 innings pitched. Burton requested and was granted his release from the Rangers organization on June 30.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jared Burton Granted Release By Rangers|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/06/jared-burton-granted-release-by-rangers.html|access-date=February 5, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 30, 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
On January 22, 2016, while still a free agent, Burton was suspended 50 games for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jared Burton Receives Fifty-Game Suspension|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/jared-burton-receives-fifty-game-suspension.html|access-date=February 5, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 22, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> On December 10, Burton expressed interest in a comeback.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Central Notes: Burton, Moncada, Brewers|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/central-notes-burton-moncada-brewers.html|access-date=February 5, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 10, 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{Portal|Biography|Baseball}} {{Baseballstats |mlb=454537 |espn=28733 |br=b/burtoja01 |fangraphs=8346 |brm=burton001lev}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, Jared}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Baseball players from Oconee County, South Carolina Category:Vancouver Canadians players Category:Kane County Cougars players Category:Arizona League Athletics players Category:Phoenix Desert Dogs players Category:Modesto A's players Category:Stockton Ports players Category:Midland RockHounds players Category:Western Carolina Catamounts baseball players Category:Chattanooga Lookouts players Category:Louisville Bats players Category:Dayton Dragons players Category:Arizona League Reds players Category:Cincinnati Reds players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:People from Westminster, South Carolina