For the second consecutive season, Chicago White Sox prospect Jake Burger has been lost for the year.
Jake Burger‘s ascension to the Chicago White Sox has been slowed by injury. The slugging third baseman had missed the entire 2018 campaign after tearing his Achilles tendon twice, an unfortunate break for a player that was expected to be a key part of the White Sox future.
That delay into his development has continued, as Burger has yet to play this season. On Friday, it was announced that he is dealing with a bruised left heel, and will, at minimum, miss the majority of the 2019 campaign as well.
Jake Burger is still dealing with his bruised heel. Target is now to get him at the tail end of the AZL season or into instructional league
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 28, 2019
Selected with the 11th overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft, Burger was considered one of the best power hitters in the draft, with that power also showing in wooden bat leagues. He was expected to move through the system quickly, a polished hitter who could be knocking on the door at this point in his professional career.
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His professional debut certainly showed that potential. Over his 217 plate appearances, he had a .263/.336/.412 batting line, hitting five homers and ten doubles. Burger also showed a solid eye at the plate, with 14 walks and 30 strikeouts.
There had already been questions as to where Burger would end up playing on the diamond. His defense at third had been questionable, and his now extensive history of heel issues may push him across the diamond to first. However, if that is the case, his bat is still expected to play up at first base, where he could still be a building block.
Even that move would not necessarily delay Burger’s ascension to the majors. Jose Abreu is a free agent after the season, and the White Sox may not want to pay an aging slugger in the middle of their rebuild. Burger is still a couple of years away, especially after not finding his way onto the diamond since the end of 2017, but he still has plenty of time to make an impact.
Chicago White Sox prospect Jake Burger will miss the majority, if not all, of 2019. If healthy, his ascension should not be slowed.