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NorCal ProCase Spotlight: 1B/OF Blake Burke

July 27, 2020
Steve Doherty
Area Scout

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LINCOLN, CA. - Over analysis is common in the industry. We’re living in an age of an abundance of analytics and numbers in the game. We try to sift through what it all means and sometimes lose sight of trusting our own eyes and experience. But is more always better?

In short, no. While this abundance may appear positive on the surface, it can also act as a barrier to decision making. 

As scouts we try to predict what other people's potential career paths are in the game. At the end of the day, you take all the information at hand and make a call. 

Blake Burke, the Tennessee commit is a really good baseball player and can do a lot of positive things on a baseball field, as such, it makes it more difficult to determine who he may be in the future as a professional. Fact; Burke is a big  man, standing 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, and certainly has plenty of strength with more to come. Fact; an accomplished high school pitcher that’s had tremendous success on the mound, and to be frank; is what got him a lot of his deserved attention. Fact; he can play first base at a high level, and can play the outfield.

Knowing all of this, in my opinion he will be hanging his hat on the bat with the power tool carrying him through. Don’t get me wrong, I believe the glove and his ability to play first base is an asset for any lineup, and there is no doubt he can hang in the outfield if needed. There is some swing and miss early in the count, and if he doesn’t connect early, however, he exhibits the ability to shorten up and put the ball in play with a 2-strike approach. The swing explodes through contact and when he recognizes a fastball, he can unload like a savage. I like to call these type of hitters “Hunters”. 

THE NUMBERS:

Defensively he’s got the tools to be a very good 1st baseman with the glove to pull balls out of the dirt and strong footwork for the position; he plays and throws with confidence showing he can make all the throws.

THE REPORT:

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

Hit: Advanced approach, has an eye for zone, fluid/EZ rhythmic swing. Squares up the ball on a regular basis. Sprays ball with authority to all fields. Will hit for a respectable average. +bat speed with no fear.  Aggressive FB hitter that never gets cheated.  Head stays on ball.
Power: Raw, dangerous, country boy, light tower PWR. Different sound off bat. Excellent leverage, loft and extension in swing. Middle of the order PWR that is prototype for 1B/OF position.

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

THE COMP:  Matt Adams (Atlanta Braves)

Summary: Burke was a standout during this workout. I have now seen him more more than a handful of times and conclude that Burke is carried by his exemplary power potential. A big-bodied first baseman who is likely to be relegated to DH in the big leagues.  Physically mature, projectable frame lacking in upper body strength at current time.  Possesses +aptitude and feel for 1B position and middle of batting order talent. Power stroke,  ball jumps off bat with HR power to all fields.  Can manipulate barrel with great  hand/eye coordination. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:


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