Burrell breaks record

Burrell just broke the club record for RBIs in the month of April. He has 5
more games to add to that total.


Also Re: Burrell, Jayson Stark gave a mention in his "Rumblings". Jeebuz, I
knew he was raking, didn't know it was this well...

Burrell's MLB ranks since July 1: First in slugging (.636), first in OPS
(1.072), third in RBIs (87), fourth in on-base percentage (.436), sixth in
homers (29)


(full excerpt)

[url]http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumb[/url]
lings&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

.. Stand Pat Dept.: Pat Burrell's future is becoming a bigger issue in
Philadelphia by the day.

So if Burrell keeps grinding out quality at-bats, mashing balls to the
opposite field and putting up the same scenic numbers he has been spewing
since last July, he can corner the Phillies into a very uncomfortable
position.

On one hand, Burrell is their only middle-of-the-order right-handed bat. And
the free-agent market next winter will offer just about zero alternatives.

On the other, Burrell's foot speed and mobility have declined so much, he is
increasingly being viewed as "just" an American League-type player. And
considering the cash the Phillies are going to owe players like Ryan Howard
and Cole Hamels over the next few years, there's virtually no chance they'd
be interested in paying Burrell anywhere near his current salary ($14
million).

So baseball men who have felt out the Phillies on this issue speculate that
the club figures to offer Burrell no more than a two-year deal, at about
half of what he's making. But if he continues down the path of rake-age he's
been traveling since last July 1 (.312, 29 HR, 87 RBIs, .636 slugging
percentage), it's tough to envision him saying yes.

.. Stand Pat Dept., Part 2: Burrell's MLB ranks since July 1: First in
slugging (.636), first in OPS (1.072), third in RBIs (87), fourth in on-base
percentage (.436), sixth in homers (29).

But this year, he has been especially locked in, balanced and driving balls
to right field that he used to wave at. It was that stroke that made him the
No. 1 overall pick in the entire draft 10 years ago. But it's been missing
in action for a lonnggg time.

"I think I knew there was something there," Burrell told Rumblings. "I just
had gotten away from it, and it was hard to get back. When I came up here, I
used to move the ball around a little bit. I was a pull-hitter, but I had
the ability to hit the ball to right field -- maybe not for as much power
but I'd get some hits over there.

"I'll tell you what: That's a good feeling to have, when you can cover both
sides. It's one thing to hit the ball to right field. But it's nice to hit
it hard to right field."