It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. After years in the making, it’s finally Burger time.
With rumors circulating ever since third baseman Yoan Moncada left yesterday’s game with a bruised right hand, the White Sox made the roster move official this morning. Third baseman Jake Burger has been promoted from Triple-A Charlotte, and will make his highly anticipated Major League debut this weekend in Detroit.
As all Sox fans know, Burger’s comeback story has been nothing short of remarkable. After not one but two Achilles injuries cost him the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the 25-year-old has come out swinging a scorching hot bat in Triple-A Charlotte. Through 42 games this season, he’s slashed an impressive .322/.368/,964 with 15 doubles, 10 home runs, 36 RBI, and .964 OPS. Injury to another player or not, the envelope was indeed getting pushed for a promotion.
Given that Moncada is likely to miss the next three games, Burger looks to provide the team with infield depth and an offensive boost. Once Tony La Russa meets with the media prior to tonight’s 6:10 p.m. opener, we’ll likely have a better understanding of Burger’s role. It’s easy to draw the assumption that the he will see some action at his natural position in place of Moncada.
Burger was originally drafted by the White Sox out of Missouri State in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft. The 11th overall pick went on to play in 51 games between the Arizona League and Low-A Kannapolis that summer, which turned out to be the only professional action he would see for the next three years.
The third baseman first ruptured his left Achilles tendon running out a ground ball in February 2018 spring training contest. The bad luck only continued as he tore it again three months later and severely bruised his left heel in 2019. Burger spent some time at Chicago’s alternate training site in Schaumburg last season in addition to playing in the CarShield Collegiate League. The Sox eventually added him to their 40-man roster in November.
In addition to Burger, outfielder Adam Eaton was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Right-handed pitcher Zack Burdi and designated hitter Yermin Mercedes were both optioned to Charlotte to make room.
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Featured Photo: Laura Wolff Photography/Twitter
Burger making it in the bigs this year or next would be the biggest prospect story of the year for the Sox! He would be lucky hitting .263 in A ball after all this time and he has an OPS over .950 in Triple-A?! I am impressed…