Chicago White Sox: A brand new beginning for Jake Burger

Despite not appearing in a professional game for more than three years, the Chicago White Sox are optimistic about Jake Burger.

One of the most prolific power-hitters to come out of Missouri State University, the Chicago White Sox selected third baseman Jake Burger with the 11th overall pick of the 2017 MLB draft, debuting as the 10th-ranked prospect in the White Sox system and one of the top third base prospects in all of baseball.

There were Hunter Pence and Todd Frazier comps thrown out to describe different aspects of his game as the young third baseman figured to be a fast riser through the Chicago White Sox minor league system and key piece of a winning lineup.

Unfortunately, White Sox fans haven’t seen much of Jake Burger since 2017, and may have even forgotten that he was still in the organization. Now reportedly 25 pounds lighter and healthy after two years of recovery, Burger is ready to make an impact in 2021 for the Chicago White Sox.

Burger played in four Arizona League games before slashing .271/.335/.409 with 15 extra-base hits in 47 full-season A-ball games in his first taste of pro ball. September 4, 2017 would end being up his last professional game for a long while.

Invited to spring training in 2018, Burger appeared in four games before tearing his Achillies tendon while running out a ground ball. Three months later he tore the same tendon yet again, resetting his year-long recovery timeline.

Burger returned to the field in 2019, lasting just one game in extended spring training before suffering a heel injury that would keep him out for a second-straight season.

No one would have faulted Burger for walking away from the game, but the story isn’t over for Jake Burger as he looks to take the field in 2021.

He wasn’t invited to Chicago’s Alternate Site after the pandemic altered the MLB season and led to the cancellation of the minor league baseball season, but found at-bats and a chance to play competitive games in the CarShield Collegiate League, a summer league in Burger’s home state of Missouri which gave an opportunity to pro and college players to get their work in with a college and minor league season.

A healthy Jake Burger eventually found his way to fall instructional camp with the Chicago White Sox. Chris Getz, Chicago’s Director of Player Development, recently had high praise for the former first-round draft pick.

“When he came by Schaumburg for the first time, looking at him physically, talking to him, I knew we were in a really, really good spot. Now watching him play, getting his reps at third base and it looks like the old Jake Burger. The at-bats and the life in his body and the way he’s interacting with his teammates, I’m so happy for the kid.”

During a time where feel-good stories are hard to come by, it’s great to see that Jake Burger is not only healthy, but that the Chicago White Sox still believe he can be a valuable asset, even after a series of major injuries (and pandemic) have prevented him from taking the field in more than three years.

Jake Burger is eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason. It appears likely that the Chicago White Sox add him to the 40-man roster to protect him.