Baseball fans are no strangers to the ups and downs of a player’s career. One minute they can be on top of the world, and the next they can find themselves back in the minor leagues, working to regain their form and make it back to the big leagues.
One player who has experienced his fair share of setbacks is Jake Burger. As a former first-round draft pick, Burger had high expectations placed on him from the start of his career. However, injuries have derailed his progress and left him fighting for a spot on a major league roster.
We’ll take a closer look at what happened to Jake Burger, from his early days in college to his current situation in the minor leagues, and explore what the future might hold for this talented young player.
Jake Burger’s Background
Jake Burger was born on May 21, 1996, in St. Louis, Missouri. He played college baseball at Missouri State University, where he quickly established himself as one of the top hitters in the country.
In his sophomore season, Burger hit .349 with 21 home runs and 72 RBI, earning first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and being named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the best amateur baseball player in the country.
Burger’s impressive college career caught the attention of major league scouts, and he was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 11th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He signed with the team and began his professional career in the White Sox’s minor league system.
In his first full season in the minors, Burger played for the Kannapolis Intimidators in the Class A South Atlantic League. He hit .271 with 8 home runs and 51 RBI in 51 games before his season was cut short due to a left Achilles tendon injury.
Burger was expected to return to full health in time for the 2018 season, but unfortunately suffered a second major injury to his left Achilles tendon during spring training that year. He missed the entire season and had to undergo surgery to repair the tendon.
After missing two full seasons due to injury, Burger returned to the field in 2019, playing for the Winston-Salem Dash in the Class A Advanced Carolina League.
He hit .235 with 2 home runs and 13 RBI in 21 games before being promoted to the Double-A Birmingham Barons. In Birmingham, Burger struggled at the plate, hitting just .204 with 1 home run and 11 RBI in 41 games.
Despite his setbacks, Burger remained determined to make it to the major leagues and worked hard to improve his game.
e was invited to participate in the White Sox’s 2021 spring training camp, where he showed flashes of the talent that made him a first-round pick.
However, he ultimately fell short in his bid to make the major league roster and was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.
Burger’s Injuries
Jake Burger’s career has been plagued by injuries, particularly to his left Achilles tendon. In 2018, Burger suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon during spring training, which required season-ending surgery.
This was a significant setback for Burger, who was coming off a strong showing in his first professional season.
After missing the entire 2018 season, Burger worked hard to rehabilitate his injury and returned to the field in 2019. However, he suffered another injury to his left Achilles tendon that limited him to just 62 games that season.
Despite the setback, Burger was optimistic about his chances of making it to the major leagues and was determined to continue improving his game.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters for Burger and delayed his progress. The minor league season was cancelled in 2020, meaning that he had no opportunity to play and continue developing his skills.
These injuries have had a significant impact on Burger’s development and his chances of making it to the major leagues. Tendon injuries can be particularly difficult for athletes to recover from, and the fact that Burger has suffered the same injury twice makes it even more challenging.
He has missed significant time as a result of these injuries and has had to work hard to regain his form and fitness.
Despite these setbacks, Burger remains determined to make it to the major leagues and is working hard to improve his game.
He has shown flashes of the talent that made him a first-round pick and will be looking to build on his performances in the minor leagues to earn another shot at the big leagues.
2021 Season and Roster Decisions
Heading into the 2021 season, Jake Burger was considered a long shot to make the White Sox’s Opening Day roster. However, he impressed during spring training, hitting .318 with 3 home runs in 39 at-bats.
His strong showing put him in contention for a roster spot, but ultimately, the team decided to send him to the minor leagues to get more at-bats and continue to work on his game.
Burger started the 2021 season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, where he continued to impress at the plate. In 42 games, he hit .322 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI, showcasing the power and potential that made him a first-round pick.
However, despite his strong performances, the White Sox were well-stocked with infielders, and there was simply no room for him on the major league roster.
The White Sox had several difficult roster decisions to make heading into the 2021 season, and ultimately, they opted to go with more experienced players.
Burger was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, where he will continue to work on his game and wait for another opportunity to make it to the major leagues.
While he may have been disappointed not to make the team, Burger remains focused on his development and is determined to make the most of his time in the minors.
What’s Next for Jake Burger
Jake Burger’s future remains bright, despite being optioned to Triple-A. He has shown that he has the potential to be a productive player at the major league level, and his strong performances in the minors have not gone unnoticed.
One potential opportunity for Burger to make it back to the major leagues is through injuries or poor performances from the players ahead of him on the depth chart. If the White Sox need infield depth or a power bat in the lineup, Burger could be called up to fill that role.
However, for Burger to earn another shot at the big leagues, he will need to continue to develop his skills and improve his game.
He will need to demonstrate that he can handle major league pitching, both in terms of his ability to make contact and his ability to hit for power.
He will also need to continue to work on his defense and show that he can be a reliable defender at third base or first base.
One key area of focus for Burger will be his health. He will need to stay healthy and avoid any further injuries that could derail his progress.
This may require him to be more cautious with his training and workload, as he looks to build up his strength and conditioning while also avoiding any unnecessary risks.
Overall, Burger’s future remains bright, and he has the talent and potential to be a productive major league player.
With continued hard work and development, he will have another opportunity to make it back to the big leagues and showcase his skills at the highest level of the game.
Here is a Table Summarizing Jake Burger’s Career Highlights and Statistics:
| Career Highlights | Statistics (as of 2021) |
|---|---|
| Drafted by the Chicago White Sox (2017) | 2017: .263 AVG, 3 HR, 13 RBI in 51 games at Rookie and A-ball level |
| Two-time All-American in college | 2018: Missed entire season due to Achilles injury |
| Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year (2016, 2017) | 2019: Missed entire season due to heel injury |
| South Atlantic League All-Star (2017) | 2020: Did not play due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| Called up to White Sox active roster (2021) | 2021: Did not appear in a game at MLB level, hit .271 AVG, 2 HR, 11 RBI in 42 games at Triple-A level |
Note: These statistics only include Burger’s minor league statistics, as he has not yet played in the major leagues.
FAQs
What is Jake Burger’s primary position?
Jake Burger is primarily a third baseman, but he has also played some first base during his minor league career.
What is Burger’s contract status with the White Sox?
Burger is currently signed to a minor league contract with the White Sox. However, he is still eligible for salary arbitration and could potentially earn a major league contract in the future.
How old is Jake Burger?
Jake Burger was born on April 10, 1996, which makes him 26 years old as of 2022.
Has Jake Burger ever played in the major leagues?
No, Jake Burger has not yet played in the major leagues. He was called up to the White Sox’s active roster during the 2021 season, but did not appear in a game before being optioned back to the minors.
What were Burger’s stats like in college?
During his college career at Missouri State University, Burger was a two-time All-American and won the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year award twice. In 187 games, he hit .344 with 47 home runs and 202 RBI.
Has Burger won any awards or honors in the minors?
Burger was named a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2017, and was also named the MVP of the All-Star Game. However, he has not yet won any major awards or honors in the minors.
Conclusion
Jake Burger has faced his fair share of setbacks and challenges throughout his career. However, he has remained determined and focused on his goals, and has continued to work hard to develop his skills and improve his game.
Despite being optioned to Triple-A, Burger’s future remains bright. He has shown that he has the potential to be a productive major league player, and with continued hard work and development, he will have another opportunity to make it back to the big leagues and showcase his skills at the highest level of the game.
While there is no guarantee that Burger will make it back to the major leagues, his determination, work ethic, and talent make it clear that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the game.
It will be exciting to see what the future holds for this talented young player, and how he continues to develop and improve as he works towards his ultimate goal of becoming a successful major league player.
