Jon Morosi on Jake Burger: ‘He is a legitimate major league slugger right now’

Jake Burger is having a triple-burger-patty-sized season with the White Sox this year.

He’s given life to the White Sox offense like no other. He’s slashing .265/.317/.606 from the plate. His slugging percentage ranks third in MLB. He also has 13 home runs and 29 RBIs to add to his season résumé, too.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, he’s been elite this year.

“The productivity has been there. He is a legitimate major league slugger right now,” Morosi said.

Pedro Grifol and the White Sox have struggled to keep him in the lineup because of their fully healthy roster. Burger found a groove while multiple players served time on the injured list. But now they’re fully healthy.

Yoán Moncada is their everyday third baseman. Gavin Sheets and Eloy Jiménez are taking up the designated hitter spots on occasion, too. Burger is sometimes forced to ride the bench.

The White Sox have toyed with playing Burger at second base to keep him in the lineup. But Romy González has also been showing up in games this season, too. In May, González hit .286 from the plate with three home runs and 11 RBIs. His defense at second base has been pristine, as well.

Burger’s been hot off the grill and it hasn’t stopped, however. There is an obvious reservation about Burger’s consistency, seeing as he’s a regular replacement-level player who typically lives in the minor leagues. But this Burger hasn’t cooled off yet.

Against the Tigers last Sunday, he walked off the series with a game-winning, walk-off grand slam. And against the Yankees during the first of their doubleheader, he added his 13th home run of the season.

It would be wise of the White Sox to keep Burger in the lineup, considering their still covering ground in the AL Central. As of this writing, they stand in third place in the division, three games back on the Minnesota Twins and one game behind the Cleveland Guardians.

They’re narrowing the gap in the division, which is defining their season and their long-term plan, according to Morosi.

“I know there’s been a lot of conversation about ‘Would they trade Giolito?’ ‘Would they trade Graveman?'” Morosi said. “Sure, those are all possibilities if they’re out of it. I think this team believes in a very winnable AL Central they can still find a way to get back in this race.”

Click here to follow the White Sox Talk Podcast.