What Tony Vitello said on Blake Burke being selected by the Brewers in first round
Not only was Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello able to watch first-hand the progression and growth of first baseman Blake Burke over the years, but the manager had a front row seat to see the announcement made when the Milwaukee Brewers selected the California native with the 34th overall pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
Vitello was on-set providing draft analysis for the MLB Network broadcast on Sunday night.
“That’s a home run if you ask me,” the skipper laughed seconds after the pick was announced. “Blake Burke, he can hit home runs, but also, he has phenomenal hand-eye [coordination]. Some of the two-strike battles that we were able to witness were incredible.”
Blake to the Brew Crew!#GBO // #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/20hmG4j0D7
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 15, 2024
Burke was the second Tennessee Volunteer selected in the draft, joining fellow first round pick Christian Moore, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels with the eighth overall pick. The first baseman becomes the sixth first round pick of the Tony Vitello era at Tennessee and the 21st overall for the program.
“The biggest thing for me with Blake Burke – CMO [Christian Moore] led us on the field in so many different ways and out catcher was phenomenal, but Blake Burke was probably our best all-around leader. Whether it be away from the field, clubhouse, on the field,” Vitello continued. “We literally got to a point to where I’d go out to make a pitching change, but Blake Burke was the one who would meet the relief pitcher and coach him up. Obviously, it worked.”
The sweetest swing in college baseball is headed north to the Cream City!#GBO // #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/EZKFLtHJVJ
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 15, 2024
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.
“Got a lot better defensively at first base through a lot of hard work. And I’ll tell you what. He plays like a little leaguer,” Vitello said. “He loves to play the game – which is required at the big league level with how many repetitions are required.”
No. 34 | MIL
Blake Burke, @Vol_Baseball
All-American first baseman that landed on the SEC All-Defensive Team. Had a massive junior season — raised his average by 100 points and set career-highs in doubles (30), home runs (20), and RBIs (61). pic.twitter.com/l6Yk8HSjbG
— Friday Starters (@fridaystarters) July 15, 2024
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.
The slot value for the 34th overall selection comes in at $2,698,300, according to MLB.com.
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