The Rockies have hired longtime outfielder Peter Bourjos as an advance scout, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports (Twitter link). The hiring would seem to indicate that Bourjos, who turns 33 in March, is hanging up the cleats after a 14-year professional playing career that included 10 years in the majors.
Bourjos both began and ended his career with the Angels, who originally selected him in the 10th round of the 2005 draft. He spent his first four MLB seasons with the Halos before moving on to stints with the Cardinals, Phillies, Rays, and Braves before once again landing back in Anaheim on a minor league contract last offseason. After appearing in 26 MLB games for the Angels last season, Bourjos was released in May.
Best known for his quickness and defense, Bourjos was an often-outstanding center fielder, posting +40 Defensive Runs Saved and +11.9 UZR/150 over 4080 1/3 career innings up the middle. This glovework made him a valuable part-time and bench commodity for teams looking for backup at all three outfield positions. Bourjos hit .237/.293/.376 over 2334 plate appearances, and his offensive resume includes an AL-leading 11 triples during the 2011 season.
We at MLBTR wish Bourjos all the best as he moves into this new phase of his baseball career, and congratulate him on a successful decade on the field.
KermitJagger
Crazy to me that this guy is retired and Emilio Bonafacio is still playing.
lowtalker1
Crazy ain’t it?
Bonofacio has 500 more at bats he has a .256 batting average against peters .237 career. Thought he has a war of 4.1 to his 8.1… he is far more versatile. He can play all three outfield positions, second and third base as well. He also spent time at short. But, Peter played center and spent very limited time elsewhere. 100 games in right over a career, 73 in left and 1.2 innings at second.
black69
You need to learn how to use personal pronouns friend.
DM
You need to stop being such an A-Hole friend.
herecomdatboi
Man he sucked with the cardinals, yeah he’s crazy fast but always got caught stealing it seemed
geg42
68 SB-32 CS lifetime. 14-11 with stl. So yeah.
jonny24
He stinks, all he could do was run.
Dotnet22
Still better baseball player than you will ever be.
khopper10
So?
paddyo furnichuh
So, not “speak” for Dotnet22, the tendency for some online users to describe professional athletes in terms of “he stinks,” or the more commonly used description, “he is garbage,”(more bothersome) is problematic.
Maybe khopper10 and jonny24 are both 15 so we should excuse the low EQ. Maybe internet access needs to be restricted for minors and bad actors?
Shoeless Joe's Diploma
That is such an elitist attitude Paddy.
MLB is so watered down prox half stink.
“He can run, he can run.”.. BFD – he can’t hit,
Pay him a Million+. It’s BS. Hence; low attendance.
DULL players & auto-outs. are not going to keep the Z Generation in suspense and pay.
I’ve been a BIG fan since 1956. I’m hooked, but…
IT stinks.
paddyo furnichuh
Elitist? Typing things on the internet so much stronger than what the actual person would have the courage to speak in person is elitist?
My question implies my meaning. I wasn’t saying that pro athletes shouldn’t be criticized. I was talking about using mature language and not dumbed-down labels.
Slothcliff Hokum
I have always thought that by comparison with all but a handful of people, anyone who who gets to the minors is a decent player, and the really good ones get to the majors and get to live that dream. By comparison with other major leaguers, there are definitely some players in MLB who stink… but I think it took a lot of talent and hard work for any and all to get to that level. All are good, some are better than others. I certainly don’t believe Bourjos was an elite major leaguer, but I do believe that if he made it that far and was able to even do as well as he did, it still makes him a pretty good player.
Maurice Lock
Yeah, he sucked so bad that he had a 5.1 WAR season. Unfortunately, he had multiple wrist injuries early in his career. He was a good, team player who knew his limitations. Wish him the best.
FishyHalo
That’s a good investment in human capital right there.
disgruntledreader 2
The Rockies can hope he’s half the scout his dad has been.
los_leebos
Does this go down as the Rockies top offseason FA signing?
hiflew
Why would the Rockies need scouts? It’s not like they are doing anything.
minoso9
Bridich needs all the help he can get. He is floundering.
Vizionaire
hope he does well!
Thurman8er
Wishing Bourjos all the best!!
MikeyHammer
Gorgeous Peter Bourjos.
dynamite drop in monty
This guy is allergic to tomatoes
jonny24
Great defender, great wheels, no bat. Bye bye
ldoggnation
THE FASTEST COACH IN BASEBALL!
Arnold Ziffel
I guess this is the Rockies big move of the off season.