Jake Burger

Jacob Michael Burger, an ambitious and gifted athlete born on April 10, 1996, embarked on his career as an American professional baseball player. At the peak performance of his career, he played as a third baseman and a first baseman for the reputable Miami Marlins, a team in Major League Baseball (MLB). However, his roots traced back to his youthful college years where he played baseball at Missouri State University, demonstrating his talent and skill in the sport. Afterwards, he ventured into his professional career when the Chicago White Sox drafted him in the first round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. His journey continued until he eventually made his MLB debut in 2021.

Throughout his early years, Burger attended the Christian Brothers College High School based in Town and Country, Missouri. Despite being an unrecognized prodigy in high school, he blossomed into a skilled baseball player at Missouri State University, starring for the Missouri State Bears team. During his freshman year, he played impressively in 57 games, making a splash with four home runs, a .342/.390/.518 hit, and 42 runs batted in (RBIs). His stellar performance did not go unnoticed and he was consequently crowned as the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year.

As a sophomore in 2016, Burger continued to impress, scoring 21 home runs and 72 RBIs over 56 games, and showcasing his skill with a .349/.420/.689 hit. His excellent performance did not stop at the end of the season as he went on to join the United States collegiate national team. During his senior year in 2017, he maintained his high-caliber performance with 22 home runs, a .328 hit, and 65 RBIs. This grand display of skill and talent led him to receive the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year award.

Due to his on-field performance, Jacob Burger earned the reputation as one of the top prospects in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. The Chicago White Sox, recognizing his talent, drafted him in the first round of the draft, making him the 11th overall selection. After signing this pivotal deal, Burger was then assigned to the Arizona League White Sox. Within a short time, he was promoted to the Kannapolis Intimidators after merely four games. Burger finished 2017 strongly, leaving an impressive mark with his .263 batting average, five home runs, and 29 RBIs in 51 games, split between the two clubs.

In 2018, Burger received an invitation from the White Sox to participate in the spring training. Unfortunately, he faced a detriment to his career when he suffered a ruptured achilles tendon in his left leg. This injury was severe, causing him to be ruled out for the entire 2018 season. Later, in 2019, a bruised heel forced him to miss parts of the season.

COVID-19 and the pandemic that followed in 2020 brought its own hurdle to Burger’s career – the cancellation of the minor league season. But Burger continued his journey in the sport, participating in the CarShield Collegiate league, a collegiate summer league in O’Fallon, Missouri. It marked his return to competitive baseball since his 2017 games. He then received an invitation to train at the White Sox alternate training site when the summer league ended.

On November 20, 2020, a new chapter began for him as he was added to the 40-man roster. Opening the 2021 season, he was then assigned to Triple-A Charlotte Knights. Following an unfortunate season-ending injury to a fellow team member, Nick Madrigal, Burger started taking reps at second base in Charlotte. He was then chosen to play in the All-Star Futures Game in June 2021. After hitting .322 in Charlotte, he received a promotion to the major leagues for the first time on July 2. He made his MLB debut as the starting third baseman against the Detroit Tigers, where he further made his first career hit – a double strike against Tigers reliever Erasmo Ramírez. Later, on July 17, he stroked his first career home run, a two-run shot off Houston Astros pitcher Austin Pruitt.

In 2022, Burger was added to the White Sox Opening Day roster where he played third base for the injured Yoán Moncada. During his game period, he recorded a .239 average with two home runs and seven RBIs in a total of 21 games before he was sent back to Triple-A on May 9 when Moncada was activated.

The 2023 season began with Burger returning to Charlotte. The White Sox, recognizing his talent, promoted him to the major leagues on April 5 following the placement of Eloy Jiménez on the injured list. Despite regular playing time for Yoán Moncada at third base and Eloy Jiménez being used as the main designated hitter, Burger started taking reps again at second base. His journey continued and on June 4, 2023, he carved another significant milestone by hitting a walk-off grand slam for the Chicago White Sox against the Detroit Tigers.

Change came knocking yet again in his career on August 1, 2023 when the White Sox traded Burger to the Miami Marlins for pitching prospect Jake Eder. Adaptation was a part of his journey as he was played more frequently at first base by the Marlins throughout the rest of the season and into 2024. However, he still had opportunities at third base and the designated hitter role, although he was no longer deployed at second base. This concluded a detailed account of the career and progression of the talented Jacob Michael Burger.