Jacob Michael Burger Bio
Jacob Michael Burger is an American professional baseball third baseman and first baseman for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins. Burger played college baseball at Missouri State University and was selected in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft by the White Sox with the 11th overall selection. Making his MLB debut in 2021, he has transitioned through three organizations, showcasing his talent and resilience despite injuries throughout his career. Burger’s personal life includes marriage to his wife Ashlyn and being a father to two children, including a daughter born with Down syndrome.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Michael Burger was born on April 10, 1996. He attended Christian Brothers College High School in Town and Country, Missouri. Burger was not drafted out of high school, which led him to pursue college baseball at Missouri State University. As a child, Burger and his sister frequently attended St. Louis Cardinals games with their father Mike and grandfather, fostering his love for baseball from an early age. Burger is a Catholic.
Path to Professional Baseball
Burger played college baseball for the Missouri State Bears from 2015 to 2017. As a freshman, he played in 57 games and hit .342 with four home runs and 42 runs batted in, earning Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year honors. His sophomore season in 2016 saw him improve dramatically, as he hit .349 with 21 home runs and 72 RBIs over 56 games. After that impressive season, he played for the United States collegiate national team during the summer. As a junior in 2017, Burger batted .328 with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs, being named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. He was considered one of the top prospects for the 2017 MLB draft.
Jacob Michael Burger Career
Chicago White Sox (2021-2023)
The Chicago White Sox selected Burger in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft with the 11th overall selection. He signed and was assigned to the Arizona League White Sox before being promoted to the Kannapolis Intimidators after four games. He finished 2017 with a .263 batting average, five home runs, and 29 RBIs in 51 games between both clubs. Burger suffered a significant setback when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in his left leg on February 26, 2018, during spring training, causing him to miss the entire 2018 season. In 2019, he missed additional time during the season due to a bruised heel.
With no minor league season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Burger participated in the CarShield Collegiate League in O’Fallon, Missouri, which marked his first competitive baseball since 2017. Following the summer league, he was invited to the White Sox alternate training site. On November 20, 2020, Burger was added to the 40-man roster and assigned to Triple-A Charlotte Knights to begin the 2021 season. He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game in June 2021, and on July 2, after hitting .322 at Charlotte, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.
Burger made his MLB debut that day as the starting third baseman against the Detroit Tigers, recording his first career hit, a double, off Tigers reliever Erasmo Ramírez. On July 17, 2021, he hit his first career home run, a two-run shot off Houston Astros pitcher Austin Pruitt. In 2022, Burger was added to the White Sox Opening Day roster and played third base while Yoán Moncada was injured. He played 21 games with a .239 average, hitting two home runs and seven RBIs before being sent back to Triple-A on May 9 when Moncada was activated. In 2023, he was promoted again in April when Eloy Jiménez went on the injured list. On June 4, 2023, Burger hit a walk-off grand slam against the Detroit Tigers.
Miami Marlins (2023-2024)
On August 1, 2023, the White Sox traded Burger to the Miami Marlins in exchange for pitching prospect Jake Eder. In 53 games for the Marlins that season, he batted .303 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs. Over the remainder of 2023 and into 2024, the Marlins increasingly played him at first base while still using him at third base and as designated hitter. In 2024, Burger made 137 plate appearances, slashing .250/.301/.460 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs, though he struggled against left-handed pitchers, batting .221.
Texas Rangers (2025-Present)
On December 11, 2024, the Marlins traded Burger to the Texas Rangers in exchange for prospects Echedry Vargas, Max Acosta, and Brayan Mendoza. Before the 2025 season began, he changed his uniform number to 21 in honor of his daughter who has Down syndrome. In 103 appearances for Texas during the 2025 season, Burger batted .236 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs. On September 29, 2025, it was announced that he would require surgery to repair a tendon sheath in his left wrist.
Playing Style and Strengths
Burger is primarily known as a third baseman but has also developed versatility at first base, second base, and designated hitter throughout his career. His power-hitting ability has been evident throughout his professional career, with consistent home run production at each level. His ability to drive in runs and provide offensive support from multiple positions has made him a valuable utility player for his teams.
Jacob Michael Burger Career Statistics
Burger has compiled impressive major league statistics throughout his career, accumulating over 100 home runs and 280 RBIs across his time with the White Sox, Marlins, and Rangers.
MLB Career Highlights (through June 25, 2026)
Through his MLB career spanning from 2021 to 2026, Burger has established himself as a reliable power hitter with 102 career home runs and 286 runs batted in. He has maintained a career batting average of .249 while playing for three different organizations. His ability to deliver in clutch situations was demonstrated by his walk-off grand slam with the White Sox and consistent production regardless of his defensive position.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .249 |
| Home Runs | 102 |
| Runs Batted In | 286 |
Jacob Michael Burger Family
Family Background
Burger was born to Mike and Shannon Burger in Town and Country, Missouri. As children, Burger and his sister frequently attended St. Louis Cardinals games with their father and grandfather, which helped cultivate his passion for baseball at a young age. His family has remained supportive throughout his professional career, attending games whenever possible.
Personal Life
Burger is married to his wife Ashlyn. The couple has two children together, a son and a daughter who was born with Down syndrome. Before the 2025 season, Burger changed his uniform number to 21 to honor his daughter. He has spoken publicly about the joy his daughter brings to his family and how her condition has impacted his perspective on baseball and life. Burger is a Catholic and credits his faith for helping him navigate the challenges throughout his career, including the significant injuries he faced early in his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Burger’s first full season with the Texas Rangers following his December 2024 trade from the Miami Marlins. He appeared in 103 games for the Rangers, providing defensive flexibility at multiple positions while contributing 16 home runs and 53 RBIs to the team’s lineup. The season included the meaningful personal milestone of changing his jersey number to 21 in honor of his daughter with Down syndrome. Burger’s offensive production in the first season with his new team reflected his consistent ability to hit for power and drive in runs. The season was cut short when he suffered a left wrist injury that required surgery, announced on September 29, 2025. The injury will require rehabilitation during the offseason, but his performance prior to the injury demonstrated his continued value as a versatile power hitter capable of contributing across multiple positions in the infield.