Kentucky Baseball's Devin Burkes Named Co-National Player of the Week

It didn’t take long for Kentucky baseball’s Devin Burkes to start racking up awards this season.

On Monday, Burkes was named one of College Baseball’s Co-National Players of the Week by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, one of the most respected outlets in all of college baseball.

Over Kentucky’s four played games last week, Burkes slashed a .563 average, recording a hit in nine of 16 at-bats. He smacked seven doubles (three of which came in one game), smashed a 416-foot home run in Sunday’s 15-0 rubber match win against Wright State, and knocked in 11 runs during this recent stretch.

“I’m just trying to come through for my team, you know,” Burkes said after his seven-RBI performance on Sunday. “See the ball hit the ball. I keep it real simple.”

Devin Burkes Named Co-National Player of Week – UK Athletics https://t.co/bYDaLzFSNI pic.twitter.com/Z7gL0XG5eH

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) February 27, 2023

Through Kentucky’s first seven games played this season, Burkes has separated himself as a leader despite being just a redshirt sophomore. Burkes is second on the team in batting average (.393) and hits (11) to 2B Émilien Pitre, who is off to a blazing start as well. The Florida native is the team leader in doubles (seven), home runs (two), RBI (15), and slugging % (.857).

Burkes will be back in action along with the rest of his Wildcat teammates on Tuesday as the Bat ‘Cats welcome undefeated Morehead State to Kentucky Proud Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST and will be streamed on the SEC Network+.