Talking taters with Jake Burger

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Jake Burger homered three times in three games against the Dodgers, including his first career multihomer effort in Wednesday night’s 8-4 victory. The White Sox third baseman has been one of the American League’s top sluggers in 2023 with 16 homers, so I decided to talk a little personal homer knowledge in a segment I like to call:

Long Ball Logistics with Jake Burger.

Merkin: What was your most memorable home run?

Burger: I’d say the one I hit at Yankee Stadium (June 8 off Luis Severino), the walk-off grand slam (June 4, vs. Detroit’s Alex Lange) or the first career one (July 17, 2021, against Houston’s Austin Pruitt). You always remember your first. But hitting one at Yankee Stadium, obviously [Wednesday] night against [Clayton] Kershaw. It’s tough to have a favorite.

Merkin: Who is the only pitcher you have hit multiple homers against?

Burger: Oh… (long pause)

Merkin: Here’s a hint: He went to the University of Michigan and he’s as old as me (Editor’s note: That’s not true. He’s 43).

Burger: Did I hit two off [Zack] Greinke?

Merkin: No, he’s a lefty. It’s Rich Hill.

Burger: Rich Hill. That’s right. I have hit two. In Boston and Pittsburgh.

Merkin: Who are the three Cy Young winners you’ve gone deep against?

Burger: I was talking about this today. [Shane] Bieber, Greinke and Kershaw.

Merkin: Do you remember all three clearly?

Burger: Oh, yeah. Greinke, I hit a fastball up to right-center. It was a colder day, and I didn’t know if it would get out. Then Bieber, I hit the slider to right field at home. Both at home and then Kershaw here.

Merkin: Where have you hit your second most career home runs, behind Guaranteed Rate Field? (He has hit 19 there)

Burger: (laughs) Dodger Stadium. I’m going to have to start keeping a list for the away ones. I’ve hit one in Pittsburgh, one at Yankee Stadium and [three] here. (He also has one at Tropicana Field that won a game in 2022).

Merkin: How many home runs do you have on the first pitch of an at-bat?

Burger: Seven?

Merkin: Eight, your number one count. Do you go up to the plate looking for a certain pitch or with a certain approach?

Burger: You have an idea of how guys are going to attack you but not fully sure until you get in the box. It’s something I always felt strongly about even going back to my college hitting coach, Nate Thompson: Don’t get beat by a heater.

That’s always been my approach. You are going to react to the off-speed but staying on the fastball is most important.

Merkin: Who has more power: You or your friend, Gavin Sheets?

Burger: I don’t know. His are magical, they are light-tower power. Most of mine are line drives. I’ll give Gavin the launch angle and I’ll take the exit velo.

Merkin: Are there any sluggers you study?

Burger: The two I always watch are [Nolan] Arenado, both from the defensive side and his offensive stuff, and [Aaron] Judge is just hard not to admire. He’s the best in the game right now. Watching him and how he approaches at-bats, the swings he puts on pitches, it’s fun to watch.

Merkin: Would you like to take part in the Home Run Derby during this year’s All-Star festivities in Seattle?

Burger: I’ve always talked about it with my dad [Mike] pitching, I think ever since I was 10 years old. Hopefully, his wing is still good from the countless pitches he has thrown to me. How cool would that be? When we get in a groove …