Brock Burke Bio
Brock Christopher Burke (born August 4, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, and Cincinnati Reds. The Evergreen, Colorado native was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft and developed into a reliable arm during his minor league career. Burke has overcome significant adversity throughout his professional journey, including a season-ending shoulder surgery in 2020 and a hand injury in 2024, to become a valuable contributor at the major league level.
Early Life and Background
Brock Burke grew up in Evergreen, Colorado, where he attended Evergreen High School. During his senior year, Burke delivered a remarkable performance by striking out 20 batters in a single game against Eaglecrest High School at Coors Field, showcasing the dominant pitching ability that would define his amateur career. His exceptional performance on the mound attracted attention from college programs across the country.
After completing high school, Burke committed to continue his baseball career at the University of Oregon, where he planned to further develop his skills before turning professional. His combination of velocity, control, and competitive fire made him an attractive prospect for MLB teams watching his collegiate career.
Path to Professional Baseball
Rather than playing college baseball, Burke decided to begin his professional career when the Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft. The Rays chose Burke with the 96th overall selection and signed him to an above-slot signing bonus of $897,500, reflecting their confidence in his potential as a future contributor. His selection represented the beginning of his journey through the minor leagues.
Burke signed with Tampa Bay and made his professional debut in 2014 with the Gulf Coast Rays, where he appeared in 13⅓ innings. He then progressed through the Rays farm system, playing for the Princeton Rays in 2015, the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2016, and earning promotions to higher levels in subsequent seasons. This steady climb through the minor leagues prepared him for the challenges of professional baseball.
Brock Burke Career
Minor League Development (2014–2018)
After his debut with Gulf Coast, Burke spent 2015 with the Princeton Rays, where he went 4–2 with a 3.42 ERA in 11 starts. The following year with Hudson Valley, he posted a 3–3 record with a 3.39 ERA in 13 appearances. These early professional seasons allowed Burke to refine his pitching mechanics and build confidence on the mound.
In 2017, Burke began the season with the Bowling Green Hot Rods and earned a promotion to the Charlotte Stone Crabs during the year. Across 23 starts between both teams, he went 11–6 with an impressive 2.99 ERA, demonstrating his ability to dominate hitters at the Single-A and High-A levels. He continued his progress in 2018, pitching for both Charlotte and the Montgomery Biscuits, compiling a combined 9–6 record and 3.08 ERA in 25 games. Following the 2018 season, the Rays added Burke to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft.
Texas Rangers Era (2019–2024)
On December 21, 2018, the Texas Rangers acquired Burke from the Rays as part of a three-team trade that also included Kyle Bird, Yoel Espinal, Eli White, and international signing bonus pool space. The Oakland Athletics received Jurickson Profar, while the Rays acquired Emilio Pagan, Rollie Lacy, and a competitive balance draft pick. Burke began 2019 with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders but was placed on the injured list in April due to shoulder fatigue and blister issues.
After rehabilitation assignments with the AZL Rangers and the Hickory Crawdads, Burke returned to Frisco in late June and went 3–5 with a 3.18 ERA in 45 innings. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Nashville in August, where he made two starts. On August 20, 2019, the Rangers promoted Burke to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that night against the Los Angeles Angels, recording four strikeouts over six scoreless innings. With Texas in 2019, Burke went 0–2 with a 7.43 ERA over 26⅔ innings.
Burke missed the entire 2020 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in February. The injury was a significant setback, but he worked diligently to recover and return to the mound. He spent the 2021 season with the Round Rock Express of Triple-A, going 1–5 with a 5.68 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 77⅔ innings.
Burke made the Rangers 2022 Opening Day roster as a relief pitcher and enjoyed a breakthrough season both in terms of performance and health. He posted a 7–5 record with a 1.97 ERA and 90 strikeouts over 82⅓ innings. His impressive campaign earned him the Texas Rangers Rookie of the Year award from the DFW area BBWAA. In 2023, Burke appeared in 53 games out of the bullpen, recording a 4.37 ERA with 52 strikeouts across 59⅔ innings as the Rangers captured the World Series championship.
The 2024 season proved challenging for Burke. He began the year in the Rangers bullpen but struggled, posting a 15.00 ERA across five appearances. On April 12, 2024, following a difficult outing against the Houston Astros, Burke punched a wall in frustration and suffered a fractured right hand. He underwent surgery on April 19 to repair the injury and was activated from the injured list on June 12. He was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on June 30. In 13 games for Texas, Burke went 9.22 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 13⅔ innings. The Rangers designated him for assignment on August 11, 2024.
Los Angeles Angels (2024–Present)
On August 13, 2024, the Los Angeles Angels claimed Burke off waivers from the Rangers. The Angels coaching staff made a significant mechanical adjustment, shifting Burke eight inches from the third base side of the pitching rubber toward the center of the rubber. The adjustment helped Burke find better success, as he posted a 3.54 ERA over 20⅓ innings for the Angels to close the 2024 season.
During the 2025 season, Burke became a reliable member of the Angels bullpen, making 69 appearances including one start. He compiled a 7–1 record with a 3.36 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 61⅔ innings of work. His improved performance demonstrated his ability to bounce back from adversity and contribute at the major league level.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Burke features a power-oriented pitching style with the ability to generate swings and misses. His development under various coaching staffs has shown his adaptability, particularly the mechanical adjustments made by the Angels that helped him recapture his effectiveness. Burke has experience pitching both as a starter and reliever, giving his teams flexibility in how they deploy him.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burke’s career highlights include his World Series championship with the 2023 Texas Rangers, his breakout 2022 season earning him Rookie of the Year honors, and his remarkable MLB debut in 2019 where he recorded four strikeouts over six scoreless innings. He has also shown resilience in overcoming major injuries, including his return from shoulder surgery in 2020 and his recovery from hand surgery in 2024.
Brock Burke Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2019 to present, Brock Burke has accumulated a win-loss record of 24–15 with a 3.73 ERA and 284 strikeouts across his career. His career totals include time with the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels.
MLB Highlights
Burke’s most successful MLB season came in 2022 with the Texas Rangers, where he went 7–5 with a 1.97 ERA and 90 strikeouts. He earned Rangers Rookie of the Year honors that season. In 2025 with the Angels, he went 7–1 with a 3.36 ERA in 69 appearances. His 2023 season included a World Series championship with the Rangers.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to his MLB success, Burke dominated in the minor leagues, including an 11–6 season with a 2.99 ERA in 2017 across two teams in the Rays system. His early professional career demonstrated the potential that translated into his eventual MLB success.
| Series | Wins | Losses | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 24 | 15 | 3.73 |
| 2022 Texas Rangers | 7 | 5 | 1.97 |
| 2025 Los Angeles Angels | 7 | 1 | 3.36 |
Brock Burke Family
Family Background
Burke was born and raised in Evergreen, Colorado, where he attended Evergreen High School before beginning his professional baseball career. His background in Colorado provided him with the foundation to pursue baseball at the highest level.
Personal Life
Burke has dealt with somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, throughout his entire life. During his time in the minor leagues, teammates witnessed him waking up suddenly during the night and acting out in various ways on multiple occasions. This condition has been a part of his life but has not prevented him from achieving success in professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a strong bounce-back year for Brock Burke with the Los Angeles Angels. After dealing with injuries and struggles in previous seasons, Burke found consistency in the Angels bullpen. His 69 appearances and 7–1 record demonstrated his value as a reliable reliever capable of logging significant innings.
The mechanical adjustment made by the Angels coaching staff, shifting his position on the pitching rubber, played a key role in his resurgence. Burke’s ability to adapt and perform at a high level showed his resilience and determination. His strikeout numbers reflected his continued ability to miss bats while limiting damage.
Looking ahead, Burke established himself as a valuable piece of the Angels pitching staff and positioned himself for continued success in his major league career. His journey from top prospect to World Series champion to bounce-back performer underscores his perseverance in the demanding world of professional baseball.