A's 1st-round pick Burress continues hot start to pro career with 3-hit, 4-steal night

Drew Burress has started his pro career right where he left off in college: He's giving pitchers fits.

The Athletics' No. 2 prospect (and MLB's No. 41 overall), who they selected eighth overall in July's MLB Draft, posted a three-hit game on Friday in Single-A Stockton's 6-0 win over Ontario, and also stole four bases. The big night at Banner Island Ballpark gave the Georgia Tech product a .454 on-base percentage and a 1.067 OPS through his first 20 pro games.

Burress' showing Friday was his eighth multi-hit game as a pro, with 11 of his 22 hits going for extra bases.

But then, fast starts are nothing new for the outfielder. As a freshman with the Yellow Jackets, he set the school's single-game record by clubbing four homers in just his eighth college game on his way to being named National Freshman of the Year. He finished his three seasons at Tech as the program's all-time home run leader (60). He attributes his success to his approach at the plate.

“I've always been taught since I was little that you're gonna have more success when you hit the ball in the air and hit the ball hard,” he told MLB.com before the Draft. “More than anything swing-wise, it's been more approach-wise since I've gotten to college baseball -- learning how to really develop a game plan for each individual pitcher. A dude that's throwing 100 [mph] that throws all fastballs is a different approach than a lefty that's throwing 88 that throws 75 percent changeups. ... Just kind of be ready to go and be most effective for each different guy.”