Burgos, an infielder from Ponce, Puerto Rico, capped off a stellar four-year career at MVNU with one of the best seasons in Cougar history this spring. He led the team in nearly every offensive category as he batted .448 with 17 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 runs scored, 68 RBI, and a school-record 39 walks in 60 games as MVNU captured the National Christian College Athletic Association national title and finished as the NAIA Region IX runner-up. Among his many honors, Burgos was selected as the American Mideast Conference, NAIA Region IX, NCCAA East Region, and NCCAA National Player of the Year as well as being an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American.

For his career, Burgos finishes as the Cougars’ career leader in games played (209), hits (281), at bats (701), and walks (137). He also ranks second in career batting average (.401), home runs (35), and RBI (206), third in doubles (55), fifth in runs scored (185), and tenth in assists (332).

“It is always great for one of our players to have the opportunity to continue their career professionally,” said MVNU head coach Keith Veale. “For Richey, this is the culmination of a great four-year career that was capped off by a really special season. Richey is very passionate about the game of baseball and now he has an opportunity to prove himself and see where it goes from here.”

“I am glad to have this opportunity,” said Burgos, who went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored as the designated hitter in Tuesday’s game versus the Midwest Sliders. “It is great to have the chance to keep playing baseball, and the Paints have made me feel very welcome already. I am excited to see what I can do to help them out.”

The Frontier League is a 12-team independent professional league that began in 1993 and has seen 13 players reach the Major League level as well as over 230 former players, coaches, and trainers join on with affiliated Minor League Baseball teams. The Chillicothe Paints, who are the only remaining original team, are currently 13-12 in the East Division - three games behind the division-leading Traverse City Beach Bums. For more information about the Paints, visit www.chillicothepaints.com.

MVNU finished the 2008 campaign with a 39-21 overall record as the Cougars also topped the 1,000-win mark in program history in the program’s 40th season. Burgos becomes the fifth former MVNU player to play in the Frontier League joining Travis Gray and Scott Dapprich (Evansville in 1997), Justin Clarey (Chillicothe in 2005), and Jon Barchus (Traverse City in 2006). The Cougars have had 13 players drafted by Major League Baseball teams since 1983 when Tim Belcher was the No. 1 pick in the draft overall. In addition to Burgos, three other former MVNU players are still active in professional baseball. Information about these players and their teams can be found at www.mvnu.edu/sports/nazbb/news/pros.asp