GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2022
Contact: Ryan Zimmerman
Phone: 219-882-2255
[email protected]
RailCats Add Reinforcement Behind the Dish in Burgess
Gary, IN – The Gary SouthShore RailCats bolster their catching corps ahead of the 2022 season by signing Chris Burgess.
“I am very excited to be able to sign Chris,” manager Lamarr Rogers said. “He brings a strong defensive skill set and excellent experience to the ball club. That should be a huge benefit to our pitching staff.”
Burgess finished his college career at Middle Georgia State University after transferring from Gordon State College. As a senior in 2019, he belted three home runs to go along with 25 runs batted in, 30 walks, and a .410 on-base percentage. Alongside teammate and current RailCat M.J. Rookard, Burgess helped lead the Knights to a Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in 2018 and berths in the NAIA National Tournament in 2018 and 2019.
Following his graduation, the Baltimore Orioles signed Burgess as a rookie free agent and sent him to their Rookie League affiliate in the Gulf Coast League. There, he flourished, hitting .286 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 10 walks, one stolen base, and an .840 on-base plus slugging in 22 games.
In 2021, Burgess played across three levels and reached Baltimore’s Double-A affiliate, the Bowie Baysox.
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The RailCats 2022 season begins at the Steel Yard on Friday, May 20 vs Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets packages and group outings for the 2022 season can be reserved by calling 219-882-2255 or emailing [email protected].