Anyone that has been watching Chicago White Sox baseball this year knows what’s been going on with them. They know that injuries have taken their toll on the team and that different players have had to fill in and contribute due to these setbacks.
One player, in particular, has stepped up and risen to the occasion and helped the Sox win games. That player is Jake Burger.
Burger probably would have started the season in the minors until we learned that Yoan Moncada would miss about three weeks with an abdominal strain. Burger has come in and hit very well. His handiwork at the plate has contributed to a couple of White Sox victories. It can be assured that there will be many more games won thanks to Burger.
Burger’s slash line through Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays is .300/.333/.833. That’s not a bad start to the season. And his play in the first game of the Rays series helped seal the win and aid in the team getting a series win.
The Chicago White Sox are really enjoying the production of Jake Burger so far.
Burger has been at bat 20 times. He has six hits, one home run, and four runs batted in. He’s also managed to get home three times. That’s pretty good production to start the season.
But when Yoan Moncada is back, will this mean the end of Jake Burger’s time in the majors? Or would they consider keeping him as a backup to Moncada?
Obviously, it depends on how they want to use their roster space but having Burger on the team would be very beneficial especially if Moncada was to get hurt again.
Maybe Burger’s time has come and he will be a mainstay in the Major Leagues. It’s more likely than not that Burger will stick with the Sox and will spell Moncada as needed. And if for some reason, Moncada might not be able to hit the ball on a consistent basis, Burger could fill in for him.
Burger has been at-bat in the Major Leagues a total of 58 times and has had 16 hits, two home runs, and seven runs batted in. His career slash line is .276/.333/.483 for an OPS of .816.
Look for Burger to be a key piece of the offensive puzzle as time goes on. I would think that the White Sox would keep him in the dugout when Moncada gets back but you never know. Hopefully, they do and utilize his talent for the rest of the season.