In a Monday Zoom call with reporters, it was hard to ignore the exuberance Jake Burger demonstrated while answering questions. The 2017 No. 11 overall pick is healthy for the first time in two years, which permitted the White Sox to add him to the team’s alternate site in suburban Schaumburg on August 19.
Burger was on track to begin the minor league season at an affiliate following spring training. In an effort to get the 24-year-old reacquainted with the rhythm of games, Chicago pivoted and allowed the St. Louis native to play in the CarShield Collegiate League located in O’Fallon, Mo., for a part of 2020.
“I think first and foremost, it was [about] feeling good, feeling my leg out there, feeling it out of the box, feeling it on defensive plays,” Burger said about participating in the collegiate league. “Once I got through that, I started nitpicking on what I could improve on.
“I don’t hold too much stock in results right now just cause I haven’t played in two years, so it’s obviously going to take some time to get the timing back. That’s kind of my swing – it’s all based on timing. I felt really good at the plate and felt like I got out of it what I wanted to get out of it.”
Burger admitted there was a discrepancy in talent present in the collegiate league, as he struggled against pitchers who sat in the low-to-mid 80’s. On the other hand, Burger felt confident when he faced arms who threw in the 90s, or those from a Division I program. His latest destination is at the alternate site where he won’t have to worry about 82 mph fastballs.
“It’s incredible,” Burger said about being with his teammates in Schaumburg. “We’re going nonstop for basically six hours. It’s just constant repetition and getting the reps I need.”
At Missouri State, Burger was listed 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. Those close to the organization indicated to FutureSox that the third baseman lost over 20 pounds across his rehab. He looks to be moving efficiently as well.
Beginning around March, Burger committed to a workout routine that’s provided results.
“Played tennis every day, did a full workout every day and biked every single day,” Burger said. “After I did that for three months I was feeling better than I ever have.”
Improving himself physically allows the White Sox to get creative with his defensive usage. So, would Burger be up for playing positions outside of third?
“Hell yeah,” he said.
“I honestly feel better defensively now than I did prior to the draft almost just because of the quick movement stuff I did with tennis,” Burger continued. “I feel like I can play almost anywhere they put me. Maybe not center field or shortstop, but I feel great.”
In a separate part of this discussion, the mental challenges of returning from a twice ruptured Achilles is a storyline that is very real. In March, Burger opened up about battling depression and anxiety as a result of the injury.
It won’t take long before Burger mentions White Sox director of player development Chris Getz in any conversation that has to do with overcoming his mental struggles.
Burger shared that he told Getz this offseason, “I’m done feeling sorry for myself. I’m going to crush it from here on out and we’re just going to get after it.”
Burger trusts Getz after going through the process of multiple injury recoveries.
“I feel like I can talk to Chris Getz about anything,” Burger said. “I think he understands everything that I’m going through and he’s been one of my biggest supporters. So has Rick Hahn. If I didn’t get that support, it would’ve been tough to go through the last two years.”
Burger expresses the confidence of a player who finds himself in a good spot both mentally and physically.
“You kind of have that mindset of ‘never give up’ and I feel like I learned that,” he said. “There was definitely some times over the last two years where you’re like, ‘Why am I even doing this?’ My parents always tell me, ‘whatever you do, never give up and keep pushing forward’ and I feel like I have that mentality now.”
Nine White Sox players have made their major league debuts this season. While it’s safe to assume Burger still needs time before receiving The Call, he recognizes his big league dream isn’t as unattainable as he once thought.
“Seeing a lot of my buddies getting called up – Dane [Dunning] and Jimmy [Lambert] at the beginning of the season – it fires me up,” Burger said. “Knowing that I got over this hurdle the last two years I feel like I’m mentally stronger than I’ve ever been. Whatever they need from me I’m willing to give them.”
Photo credit: Tiffany Wintz
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