This Brewers minor league slugger is back on track after a slow start

Most baseball fans remember the Milwaukee Brewers acquiring Joey Ortiz and DL Hall in exchange for Corbin Burnes in February of 2024. However, many will forget that a third player was included in that deal, by way of a draft pick that the Baltimore Orioles threw into the deal to get it across the finish line. That pick, which ended up being the 34th overall selection, was part of the competitive balance round A section of the draft which occurs between the first and second rounds. The Brewers used the pick to select slugging first-baseman Blake Burke out of the University of Tennessee.

The pick rightfully had Brewers fans excited as Burke absolutely raked during his time at Tennessee. During three seasons as a Volunteer, Burke set a freshman record for home runs, won the SEC tournament MVP award, posted a career OPS of 1.072, and slugged 51 extra-base hits while setting another Tennessee school record with a 31-game hit streak during his junior year. Oh, and by the way, he won a national championship. That's a pretty ridiculous college resume.

However, it wasn't just his accolades that had Brewers fans excited about the Brewers’ selection. Burke sports plus-plus power to all fields, according to MLB Pipeline, and while his defense at first base used to be a question mark, it's clear that Burke has been putting in the necessary practice at the cold corner, as he has looked like a much more reliable defender this year.

While there is much to like about Burke's profile, it took him a little while to adjust to the pitching in High-A ball. However, just a month into the season, it appears as if Burke has found his swing once more, and the results are exciting.

With 10 hits in his last six games, Blake Burke is turning heads in Appleton

Burke entered last Thursday's game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels with a slash line of .226/.340/.348. He had just four extra-base hits and 14 strikeouts through his first 16 games in 2025, while serving as the everyday first baseman for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. However, everything changed on a dime for the slugging first baseman.

Across his next six games, Burke collected 10 hits, including four extra-base hits and a laser to left-center for his second home run of the season (as seen above). In just six games, Burke raised his slash line to .289/.391/.447. That's a jump of .150 in his OPS in less than a week.

The Burke of the last week is the player that the Brewers front office was hoping for when they selected him in last year's draft. It often takes players a little while to adjust to minor league pitching after switching over from college ball, so Burke's early season struggles were nothing to be concerned about. What's important is that players make the necessary adjustments to the improved opposition, and Burke has done just that.

Keep an eye on Burke as his minor league career continues. With the most raw power of any prospect in the Brewers' organization, his will be a fun career to watch. If he keeps up the impressive production that he displayed this past week, don't be surprised if he ends the year in Double-A with the Biloxi Shuckers.