Burroughs is the son of former major leaguer Jeff Burroughs. He starred in the Little League World Series as a pitcher when he was growing up in Long Beach, California, winning the championship in 1992 and 1993. Burroughs made waves in the media for his precociousness following the titles, telling David Letterman on his show that he wanted to be a gynecologist when he grew up.. He is also the only US player to throw back-to-back no-hitters in the Little League World Series.
Career
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres selected Burroughs in the first round, with the ninth overall selection, of the 1998 MLB draft. Burroughs declined a scholarship offer to the University of Southern California to accept the Padres' contract offer. In 2000, Burroughs appeared in the All-Star Futures Game, and was named the game's most valuable player. Burroughs first joined the Padres in 2002. He hit a game-winning single in the first game played at San Diego's Petco Park and a near-division clinching double off San Francisco's Armando Benítez in 2005.
Burroughs career fell apart during the 2006 season, after being traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for Dewon Brazelton. Burroughs would bat just.190 in limited playing time before being optioned to the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay's Triple-A affiliate. Burroughs was designated for assignment on June 22, ending his tenure with the Devil Rays franchise.
On December 24, 2006, Burroughs signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners, but was released on June 15, 2007, less than halfway through the season.
Out of Baseball
Burroughs struggled with injuries after a collision at second base at Dodger Stadium, culminating in a period in which he was out of baseball. As a result, he did not play baseball at all from 2008–2010. He had a comeback with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On November 22, 2010, Burroughs signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He had his contract purchased by Arizona on May 18, 2011, after four seasons out of the major leagues. He was placed on waivers on June 19, after hitting.261 for Arizona and outrighted to the minor leagues. After third baseman Melvin Mora was released, Burroughs was promoted back to Arizona on July 1, 2011 where he returned to the starting line-up. He had some key hits which helped the team reach the playoffs. He declared free agency on October 21.
On April 12, 2013, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and reported to the AA Chattanooga Lookouts. He played in 57 games for the Lookouts and hit.220.
Burroughs signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for 2014 season. He resigned with the Bluefish for the 2015 season.
On August 8, 2015, Burroughs was traded to the rival Long Island Ducks for Outfielder Bryan Sabatella.
2nd Stint with the Bridgeport Bluefish
On August 1, 2016, Burroughs was reacquired by the Bridgeport Bluefish for Pitcher D.J. Mitchell.
2nd Stint with the Long Island Ducks
On November 1, 2017, Burroughs was drafted by the Long Island Ducks in the Bridgeport Bluefish dispersal draft. He became a free agent after the 2017 season.
