NOTHING BURGER
Sox’ 2017 first- round pick out for season with ruptured Achilles
MESA, Ariz. — The White Sox announced the worst news possible on their 2017 first- round draft pick Tuesday: Jake Burger has a ruptured Achilles tendon and will be out for the season.
The 21- year- old third baseman will undergo surgery Thursday, his career path pushed back a full year by what transpired after he hit a routine grounder to third base in a Cactus League game Monday against the A’s.
“Running down to first, honestly it felt like a gunshot,’’ said Burger, who went down in a heap about 70 feet up the first base line. “I knew immediately something was wrong. But there’s nothing really to say. It sucks and I just have to stay positive.’’
Burger seems to have the makeup to trudge through a long rehab process. That’s a positive. But the severity of the injury is the worstcase result for Burger and the Sox, who were projecting him as their third baseman in 2020. Missing a full season means he’ll likely start 2019 in Class A. Making matters worse is that Burger’s injury brings to three the number of the Sox’ first- round picks not playing baseball as their rebuilding plan tries to get some footing. Left- hander Carlos Rodon ( 2014), viewed as a top- of- the- rotation starter, is recovering from shoulder surgery and right- hander Zack Burdi ( 2016), viewed as a potential closer of the future, is recovering from Tommy John Surgery.
“It’s a bummer. It’s a downer,’’ manager Rick Renteria said Tuesday.
“We told [ Burger] to keep his head up. He’s a positive kid.’’
The 6- 2, 240- pound Burger did not distinguish himself during his first season at low Class A Kannapolis, hitting .271/. 335/. 409 with four home runs in 181 at- bats. But he received high marks for hard work over the offseason and was off to a nice start in Cactus League play with a triple and double in seven at- bats.
Burger also made a nice play at third base before getting hurt. A brief taste of major- league competition gave Burger a boost.
“It gives you motivation for next season for sure,’’ he said. “That’s another thing that’s going to keep me going is I realize that I belong and that I can play.’’
Veterans and prospects alike in the Sox clubhouse took a liking to Burger for his infectious personality and work ethic.
“Tough seeing him go down, he’s just a great kid,’’ said Sox teammateNicky Delmonico, who trained with Burger this offseason. “Everything he worked for to get to this moment. It’s a good thing he’s very young, has a good mindset. He’s the person who can battle through this and be right where he left off.”
Burger is already planning to take a course at Missouri State and mapping out his near future.
“When something like this happens you have a decision to make,’’ he said. “You can either kind of mope around and be disappointed or you can look at it as a positive. It’s kind of an extended offseason, you know? Where I can focus on nutrition, focus onmy diet, focus on my body.’’
Burger expressed no second thoughts about his decision to run hard to first base, even after a routine ground ball.
“I always try to get out of the box as hard as I can,’’ he said. “That’s the White Sox way and the Missouri State way. You don’t imagine that happening. I’ve come out of the box that way a thousand times.”
Teammates, fans “from around the globe” and staff have done what they can to soften the blow for Burger with texts, social- media messages, visits and talks.
Burger also heard from former Sox pitcher Jose Contreras, who ruptured his Achilles in 2008. Contreras is in camp helping as an advisor.
“He’s like, ‘ Look, man, it’s a tough recovery, but you’ll get back,’ ” Burger said. Email: dvanschouwen@ suntimes. com