Jake Burger’s long road back to the baseball field took a significant step forward on Wednesday. The former first-round pick was added to the White Sox’s 60-man roster pool and sent to camp in Schaumburg.
Burger hasn’t played in a regular season game since 2017. The 11th overall pick of the 2017 draft has dealt with a string of injuries that has led many to leave Burger out of any future plans for the White Sox. But according to White Sox manager Rick Renteria, the team hopes this is just the first step in a bright future for Burger.
“I’m sure it means a lot to him, and to the White Sox,” Renteria told reporters before Wednesday’s game. “We have a lot of optimism for him yet… We still like this kid a lot. He’s been working extremely hard, and hopefully it’s the beginning of his return.”
Burger’s injury woes began during a 2018 Cactus League game when Burger tore his Achilles’ tendon in his left leg while running to first on a grounder. Ten weeks later, while walking in his backyard, Burger re-tore the same Achilles’. Burger was nearly ready to return to the field in 2019, but a severely bruised heel in the same leg as his Achilles’ injuries sidelined him before he could return. Burger has been very open about his injuries and how they have also led to him struggling with anxiety and depression which made his return to the field even more difficult.
More recently, Burger had been playing for the Normal Cornbelters of the Carshield Collegiate League.
While this is more about Burger getting reps and coaching in a year without a minor league season, he will now be available for the White Sox to press into action should the injury woes on the big league level continue.
“I’m so fired up!” Burger messaged FutureSox. “Just being able to get around the guys again and have the excitement of playing baseball with my teammates is a surreal feeling. Not to mention all the reps we’re able to get! Being hurt for two seasons you’re missing a lot of reps so having this group that likes to work hard around me is refreshing.”
We ranked Burger No. 29 in the system in our preseason rankings, with the injury problems as the main reason. Seeing Burger back in action makes him a viable prospect again. Despite the injury problems, MLB Pipeline has Burger at No. 15 in the White Sox organization.
Burger’s skill set includes strength and solid bat speed that allowed him to club 43 home runs in his two college seasons prior to being drafted. His bat speed and natural strength add up to plus raw power that the organization hopes are not affected by his injuries. Prior to the injuries, Burger even featured some deceptive speed out of the box. It is unknown how three leg injuries in two years will affect Burger moving forward though.
In his draft year, Burger played in 47 games for Kannapolis, batting .271 with four home runs and a .744 OPS.
While Burger has been sidelined, Yoan Moncada has cemented his role as the third baseman in the organization. But Burger’s bat should allow him opportunities to play at first base or even DH. While it is still unlikely Burger will see at-bats in the bigs this season, being added to the Schaumburg roster is a significant development as the third baseman attempts to come back from a devastating string of injuries.
Photo credit: Brian McLeod/MiLB.com
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With Moncada cenented at third and Vaughn earmarked for first, DH might seem his obvious destination. But, I’m thinking, with a third baseman’s arm and the jury still out on Mazzara in right, maybe that could be where he ends up…(?)
I agree. I’m not to big into Mazzara either. Right field is our only weakness, really. It would be great if either Burger or even Vaughn could play some right field. If you dream, dream big – so how about some Yermin Mercedes in Right?
Not a crazy idea. I don’t think we should be drawing too many conclusions about Mazara from such a small sample size though. I like the defense he brings. Now, he needs to show that his bat is better than what he’s shown so far.
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