Andy Burns; UK photo

The University of Kentucky confirmed in a statement Friday afternoon to BluGrass Baseball that rising junior third baseman Andy Burns has left the program. Burns, considered one of the best high school position player prospects to ever sign with the school, has not announced where he will transfer. “Andy is no longer a member of the UK baseball program,” UK head coach Gary Henderson said in a statement. “At the end of the season, both parties decided to go in another direction and we wish Andy nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

Burns batted .271 with 11 home runs and 30 RBI as a sophomore and .287 with seven home runs and 33 RBI as a freshman for UK. The Fort Collins, Colo., native was the 25th round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies as a high school senior in 2008 but elected to attend UK instead of signing a professional contract. Burns was named the Southeastern Conference  freshman of the week for the week ending May 11, 2009.

Burns could not be reached at the time of positing, though BluGrass Baseball has placed an interview request with his Cape Cod League team. This summer Burns is batting .232 with no home runs in 25 games for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod League. Brewster coach Tom Myers told Aaron Fitt of Baseball America Burns has the chance to be a special player at the next level. “He’s in transition right now, leaving Kentucky, may redshirt, may not—he’s a quality player,” Myers told Fitt. “He’s played short and third, but will probably end up being a third baseman wherever he lands.”