Blake
Burke

Is off to a strong start in 2024 after a lackluster 2023, the lefthanded, power-hitting Burke currently boasts statistics similar to Amick with a .382 batting average, .434 ISO and a 15.3% K rate against a 10.6% BB rate. He was outstanding during the Bama series with three hits on Friday, including a 112 mph EV homerun, two more hits, including a 112 EV double on Saturday and another base hit on Sunday. Plus-plus raw power is his tool and offensive production will be what’s it all about for him as he’s limited to first base defensively with below-average arm strength, although he does have a quick release, and well below-average foot speed. At the end of this season, if Burke continues his year at the current pace, he’s likely to be selected around the third-to-fourth round. If his performance declines a bit, but not to the 2023 level, Burke will likely be chosen closer to the fifth round where many clubs begin to select corner prospects who have plus to better raw juice as their top/main tool.

Body: Durable XL frame, 6-foot-3, 230-pounds. Big strong hands. Physically mature with room to grow and gain muscle.

Field: Polished defender with sound defensive actions/mechanics. Smooth, quick feet with the ability to move well laterally. Soft hands, quick, smooth transfers and +confidence in his ability to pick up ground balls. Always in the right spot.

Arm: Has carry and zip.  Proper arm action, and can throw from all angles. Ideal for 1B position.

Run: 7.36 laser timed 60-yard

vs Valley Christian - Tennessee commit; Had a big day, due in part to one big swing of the bat, a grand slam that left the yard in a hurry. He's a big young man and he's obviously worked hard to continue shaping his body and firming up as he matures. At 6-foot-3 235-pounds he's certainly got plenty of strength. The swing explodes through contact and when he recognizes a fastball to his liking he unloads with a savage move through the baseball. One pulled foul ball on a high mid-80s fastball drew gasps as it traveled deep into a neighborhood and then the 86-mph fastball he took over the right-centerfield fence was squared up. He drew a walk and also had to other hard hit balls, one a 3-1 out and another a sinking line drive caught by the RF. He has the ability to cut down his swing with two strikes but in this one he was hunting and getting fastballs and again, knows what he wants to hit.

Area Code Tryouts - Under Class Notebook

Summer Scout - Large, physical frame with wide strong build. Bat works on quick upward path staying behind the baseball well and showing off above-average bat speed. Game 1 saw Burke double over the LF head showing the late bat speed on a pitch away. His 2nd AB saw him smoke a ball into RCF that the wind knocked down but caused issues for the RF turning into a standup triple. Game 2 saw Burke show off his arm strength on the mound running the FB up to 87 MPH and showing a sweepy CB at 66-70 MPH. He picked up his 3rd hit lacing a ball into LF off the LHP but pulled up getting to first and grabbing his side and leaving the game. I’m hoping the injury wasn’t serious because his swing is one of the best around for the 2021 class.

vs Monte Vista in NCS D1 playoff - Presently uncommitted; went 0-for-2 in this one, reached via E4 on very hard hit ball, was approached very carefully by one of top 2019 RHPs in area (Josh White), he's pitched like a dangerous senior hitter vs simply being at the end of his sophomore year, lots of breaking balls, getting closer to staying back and behind the breaking ball, balanced on-time swings vs the few fastballs he saw, just missed a few and barrel awareness continues to stand out; defensively showed that he's still got some work to do in staying below the ball at times, stayed calm after taking one off shin and perfectly fed pitcher covering. Has ability to be above average defender and impact hitter in college and beyond.

Uncommitted as of this post, top 10 ranked in CA 2021 class; did not have his best day, but he was pitched extremely tough all day. He did not get much to hit and chased a bit too much today.  However, he did show some great makeup, not letting 2 strikeouts to start the game get him down, and in his third at bat he laced an RBI single. He is a big body, but still athletic.  Defensively he is smooth at first, with soft hands and he is confident with his glove which is a must for any great first baseman. At the plate, he has an upright set up, with good timing and rhythm on his load.  He gets into a good launch position and has some loft in his swing which is ideal for a guy with his size. He will need to learn to hammer those early breaking balls if he wants to see more fastballs, but this is a young kid with plenty of time to learn and mature.  Sky is the limit for Burke.

vs Jesuit - Presently uncommitted; had another good game and is now hitting .600 in three games, with half of his hits leaving the yard. We have been on hand for two of those home runs. In any case, what we keep seeing is a young left-handed hitter who can slug but is more hitter than slugger. Burke has an advanced approach/plan given his age. Now, he's played an awful lot of high level and competitive baseball with Team USA and also last year as a varsity starter on a championship team, but still, his approach is outstanding. He will let the swing fly in counts when he is in control and can pounce on mistakes or pitches he is looking to hit. Sure, there is an occasional swing and miss on a change-up or good breaking ball in a positive hitting count but it takes well-executed pitches to get him to miss. His ability to drive the ball and drive mistakes when in control of the count stands out... as does his ability in two-strike counts to flatten the swing out a bit, quiet up his swing and line balls back through the middle, which I've seen him do in each of the two games I've seen this season. He's a dangerous hitter and a good hitter. Pondering how polished he could be by the time he's a senior is a bit mind-boggling.

at St. Francis - Uncommitted; fuller bodied young man (6-foot-3, 220-pounds) with surprisingly agile and light feet, confident/crisp actions as a defender, whether in right field or at 1st base (he did both in pre-game). The arm is strong and he was on the money accurate. Watching him at first base, his actions and skills brought to mind Anthony Rizzo. Yes, that's high high praise but he does play with that type of feel/tools. It's at the plate where Burke has already created/earned discussion among the top 2021 hitters in the nation. It's not just the raw power and strength, bat speed, etc. He is also a smart hitter, with an advanced approach given his age. He hunts in counts when he should be hunting and he can cut down his swing in two-strike counts. There is some occasional swing and miss but it takes quality pitches to make that happen. He lined a ball into centerfield on a two-strike pitch and then hit that homer on a breaking ball that was left up at his waist and he quickly recognized it and punished it. He's not going to be a great runner and come his draft year some will poke at his body type, but that will just be noise because this kid can hit and he can play.

at Valley Christian - #10 player in the 21 rankings and one of the top uncommitted players in the class, showed off a very quick bat path with some growing positional versatility. He started at 1st with Harrison on the mound showing a soft glove and picking balls during pre-game. He’s got athletic ability in his XL frame and was able to move to RF when Harrison came out of the game and moved fine there for the position. He’s got a strong arm that can fit in RF as well. At the plate he smoked two balls to CF and another fly ball into RF that were all tracked down by the center fielder. I liked seeing him work at the plate as he showed strong posture keeping his hands back when taking off-speed pitches and looking for those pitches he can attack. He continues to show he’s an impressive 2021 player who won’t stay uncommitted for long.

PBR N CA Preseason All-State - Full, XL frame with length in legs and wide build; still has some young weight that could be shaped over the next couple of years. Short, choppy steps (7.51 60-yd). Tall, balanced stance with high back elbow and high hands to match; keeps strong posture as he pulls hands down and back with slight foot lift load. Balanced and calm in load staying behind the baseball well; swing has explosive qualities with natural lift in bat path that regularly showed pop to the pull side with deep drives creating loud contact (88 exit velo). Big frame moves well around the bag with ability to handle the ball in the dirt; showed good footwork and ability to adjust to balls offline. Quick arm from mid ¾ with ability to throw from different angles; strong arm that also pitches at the high school level (83 MPH). Continues to show why he’s one of the top 2021 players in the state that will be the type of bat to hit for power in the middle of lineups at next level.

One of Top 2021 players in the state. The large frame already has some budding strength in it and can continue to firm up and add to it as he matures and ages. During BP he really worked the oppo side of the field with the ability to drive the ball into the gaps. He's got a tall stance with very high hands/elbows that work in time with his lifted front foot. The hands work down and back in the load before attacking the ball with an uphill path and allowing the backside to drive through the zone and finish over a stiff front leg. The bat shows quickness as it accelerates into the zone and matched with his strength could be a big bopper from the left side of the plate as he reaches maturity. Defensively he showed some range at 1st and an average arm starting a double play turn while behind the runner with guys on 1st and 2nd. Burke plays high and can continue to work on his flexibility to assist in getting balls out of the dirt and allowing him to make more plays. He's a heavy runner using the length in his leg rather than quickness while getting down the line. The physical build stands out and if he can continue to tighten the body as he matures, should be a middle of the order bat at the next level.

Young 6-foot-2 200-pound body, physically looks the part of a freshman with a body that will draw significant attention in the coming years, bat talent is clear, sets up with high hand slot but very relaxed, calm presence in the box, reminiscent of Jay Bruce in his set-up and swing path, easy swing will produce easy power as he matures as a hitter and as he simply physically matures, has good timing to the the point of contact and doesn't try to overpower the ball, gets through it with good top hand action. Playing right field for high school team as the starter at 1st base is a senior headed to play D1 ball next fall. Burke has a chance to evolve into one of Northern California's top hitters, if not one of the state's best hitters.