“Even though I know they [scouts] are there, I try my best to zone them out and focus on pitching and getting a win for my team,” Burrows said.
Burrows is a hometown product of Weatherford, and his major league idol while growing up was Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.
“Nolan Ryan was the greatest pitcher to ever pitch, in my opinion,” Burrows added. “He’s just a simple Texas man that loved the game of baseball, and I can relate to that.”
His current pitching idol is Weatherford High School graduate Zach Britton (WHS Class of 2006) who is a relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.
“Zach and I know each other pretty well,” Burrows said, “and we can talk about baseball and what it takes to be successful.”
For the past four years, Burrows has been a member of the WHS varsity baseball team, but he could see action with a major league organization as early as June. The 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft is June 8-10.
“Beau is a great young man and a great competitor,” WHS Head Baseball Coach Terry Massey said. “He also has been a pleasure to coach not just because of his talent, but because of the person he is. His parents have done a great job in raising him.”
Burrows has compiled a record of 26-7 with the Kangaroos and has an overall ERA of 1.29. In his 190 innings pitched, he has 271 strikeouts.
Beau’s mother, Bridget, who is the librarian at Ikard Elementary, said they have hosted representatives from over half of the major league baseball teams in their home since last summer. She said it is pretty customary to have these types of home visits.
“A typical home visit is very informal,” Bridget added. “We just sit around the kitchen table, as a family, and talk to these representatives. Not only do they want to get to know us, but they want to make sure Beau would be the best fit for their ball club.”
Beau is currently pitching for the Roos once a week – usually on Tuesdays – as he and his teammates are competing for a spot in the Class 6A playoffs. Ten district games remain on the schedule.
No one can deny that the next three months will be a whirlwind for the Burrows family.
“Beau is graduating from WHS on June 6…the 2015 MLB Draft begins on June 8…and he could possibly be leaving for a major league organization on June 12,” Bridget said. “That’s pretty hard to grasp right now.”
MaxPreps has Beau at No. 10 on its Top 100 list of national high school baseball seniors of 2015. This list is based on a number of factors, including player recruiting rankings, national all-star appearances, preseason All-American teams, and mock drafts.
Several websites have been simulating “mock” drafts for some time now, and www.minorleaguebaseball.com for example, has Beau ranked No. 12 overall in the upcoming draft. Athlon Sports’ 2015 MLB Preview magazine also has Beau at No. 12.
Although Beau is predicted to be a top round pick in the First-Player Draft, he will have to wait until June 8 to see whether he signs with a major league organization or if he chooses to put on a Texas A&M uniform.
“Beau wants to get drafted and go all the way,” Bridget said. “This has been his dream for most of his life.”
In the meantime, come out to Curtis Field to watch Beau and the rest of the Kangaroo baseball team.
Additional background information on Beau Burrows
- Started playing with the Weatherford Little League at age 5
- Began playing select ball at age 8
- Won two National Championships with the Evoshield Canes, the No. 1-ranked 17U travel team in the nation based out of Virginia
- Named Co-MVPitcher of the 2014 WWBA National Championship Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia
- Played on the Texas Rangers Area Code team and received the Golden Arm Award in Long Beach, California
- Played in the 2014 Perfect Game USA All American Classic in San Diego, California
- Played in the 2014 Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois
- Four-year starting pitcher for the Weatherford High School Kangaroos
Remaining WHS Varsity Baseball Games
Tuesday, March 31 @ *Arlington Sam Houston, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 2 @ *Arlington Lamar, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 vs. *Arlington Bowie, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 10 @ *Arlington High, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 @ Aledo, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 14 vs. *Paschal, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 17 @ *Arlington Martin, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21 @ *North Crowley, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 24 vs. *Arlington Sam Houston, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 25 vs. Aledo, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 28 vs *Arlington Lamar, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 1 @ *Arlington Bowie, 7 p.m.