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Brewers select Tennessee’s Blake Burke 34th overall in 2024 MLB Draft

On3 imageby:Eric Cain•07/14/24•

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Blake Burke, Tennessee Baseball | Kate Huffman, Tennessee Athletics
Blake Burke, Tennessee Baseball | Kate Huffman, Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke has been selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with pick No. 34 overall in the competitive Balance Round A of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.

The junior left-handed slugger is the second Vol to be selected in this year’s draft, following Christian Moore, who went eighth overall to the Angels. The slot value for the 34th overall selection comes in at $2,698,300, according to MLB.com.

Burke becomes the 21st first round first round pick in Tennessee program history and the sixth of the Tony Vitello era. Tennessee’s Christian Moore was taken earlier Sunday night eighth overall by the Angels. Chase Dollander was taken ninth overall by the Rockies in 2023, Drew Gilbert 28th overall by the Astros in 2022, Jordan Beck 38th by the Rockies in 2022 and Garrett Crochet 11th overall by the White Sox in 2020.

Burke was named a First Team All-American by four different publications for his efforts in 2024, a season where he raked 20 home runs and drove in 61 runs while hitting .379 for the national champions. The first baseman finished his Tennessee career second in program home runs with 50 over three seasons.

In 2024, Buke also registered career highs in average, games played (72), at-bats (285), runs (74), hits (108), doubles (30), home runs, RBI, walks (35) and stolen bases (11). The slugger was also named a two-time Freshman All-American in 2022 after homering 14 times in just 95 at-bats.   

Scouting Report from MLB.com

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Arm: 40 | Field: 40 | Overall: 50

“Burke tied Tennessee’s freshman home run record with 14 in just 95 at-bats in 2022 but slumped a bit despite going deep 16 times last spring. He has been a more polished hitter as a junior, leading NCAA Division I with 30 doubles and setting another Volunteers mark with a 31-game hitting streak. He mashed his way into the top two rounds of the Draft while winning Southeastern Conference tournament MVP honors and helping Tennessee win its first College World Series championship.

Burke has an impressive combination of bat speed and strength and leverage in his 6-foot-3, 236-pound frame, which generate plus-plus raw power and consistently high exit velocities. His left-handed pop plays to all parts of the ballpark, and he has grown to realize that he can hit home runs without swinging for the fences. After striking out in 31 percent of his plate appearances as a freshman, he has increased his contact rates by becoming less pull-happy, though he’s still prone to chasing pitches out of the strike zone.

While Burke has become more reliable at first base, he’s still a below-average defender with limited range. With well-below-average speed and subpar arm strength, he has no other defensive options. Despite his lack of quickness, he’s an opportunistic basestealer who will take advantage if opponents forget about him.”

Tennessee in the 2024 MLB Draft

INF Christian Moore: 8th overall (Angels)
1B Blake Burke: 34th overall CB-A (Brewers)

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