Jake Burger, the Miami Marlins’ third baseman, has emerged as one of the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball over the past month. Since the MLB All-Star break, Burger has hit 12 home runs, the most in the league during that span. He continued his power surge with a two-run homer in the second inning of a recent game against the San Diego Padres, helping the Marlins secure a 7-6 victory. In that game, Burger went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, contributing significantly to Miami’s win and helping them avoid a sweep by the red-hot Padres.
Burger’s recent success at the plate marks a sharp turnaround after a slow start to the 2024 season. He posted a .287 batting average in July and has improved even further in August, hitting .325. For the season, Burger is batting .251 with 22 home runs and 53 RBIs. As the Marlins look to finish the regular season strong, much will depend on whether Burger can maintain his hot streak.
Burger’s journey to becoming a key player for the Marlins began in 2021 when he made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox. After spending parts of three seasons with the White Sox, he was traded to Miami at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. Over his career, Burger has maintained a .250 batting average, with 65 home runs and 162 RBIs.
Despite Burger’s individual success, the 2024 season has been a challenging one for the Miami Marlins. With a 44-75 record, they are firmly in last place in the National League East and have the third-worst record in Major League Baseball. The Marlins’ offense has struggled mightily, ranking 22nd in batting average, 27th in home runs, and 29th in runs scored. Burger currently leads the team in all major offensive categories, as many of the Marlins’ top performers, including Jazz Chisholm Jr., are no longer on the roster after the team became major sellers at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline.
The Marlins’ pitching staff has also faltered, ranking 27th in ERA, 18th in strikeouts, and 27th in opposing batting average. Among the current roster, relief pitcher Anthony Bender leads the team in wins with four. These struggles on both sides of the ball have ensured that the Marlins will not be participating in the postseason this year, following their surprising run to the playoffs in 2023.
Looking ahead, the Marlins have a day off before embarking on a five-game divisional road trip. They will face the Philadelphia Phillies in a two-game series starting Tuesday, followed by a three-game set against the New York Mets beginning on Friday. While the season has been a disappointment for Miami, Jake Burger’s recent performance has been one of the few bright spots. As the season winds down, the Marlins will look to Burger to continue his strong play and provide some hope for the future.
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