Chicago Cubs: Charcer Burks still has time to develop

The Chicago Cubs selected outfielder Charcer Burks out of William B. Travis High School way back in 2013, in the ninth round. Since then, Burks has worked his way to Double-A, where he has been for the past three seasons.

Within the past year here at Cubbies Crib, we have discussed many prospects and what they bring to the table. Somehow, Charcer Burks and his ascent through the Chicago Cubs system went largely overlooked. Still, Burks’ time in professional ball up until this point has been a sort of smorgasbord of production.

The now 24-year-old outfielder signed out of high school for $170,000. As a ninth-round selection, it feels like a bit of a steal for the Cubs looking back. Burks immediately joined the Arizona Rookie League in his first year out and was off and running.

Currently, Chicago’s list of top 30 prospects is made up of many catchers and pitchers. There are a few outfielders sprinkled in; however, Burks is not amongst them on the list. In 2017, Burks found himself ranked as the number 22nd overall prospect in the Cubs’ pipeline. Unfortunately, it did not last as he fell off the big board. Nevertheless, Burks has shown glimpses of production and being 24 years old, still has time to reach his dream.

Chicago Cubs: Developing a level of consistency

At the start of the 2015 season, Burks once again earned a promotion. This time it was Class-A South Bend. Burks played a whole season there, slashing .257/.339/.347 with a barely above league average 104 wRC+. Still, Burks improved on many facets of his game.

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Burks finally found a string of power in his game for the first time at South Bend. He hit a whopping three home runs, which is a lot considering Burks had hit one across his first three seasons combined. Burks also managed to steal 28 bases. For a guy who had never stolen more than ten in a regular season, this was another massive step in the right direction.

The following year Burks was at Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach. Improving once again, Burks posted a 115 wRC+ in 124 games for the Pelicans. He found his power stroke and smashed 11 home runs while swiping 23 bags. Burks became more patient at the plate and began to show the Cubs why they selected him.

In 2017, Burks was the closest to the big leagues he had ever come to that point. His game once again improved as he posted a 125 wRC+ in 121 games for Double-A Tennessee. The power and steals also stuck around in a consistent capacity, as Burks swatted ten home runs and stole 16 bags. He was trending in the right direction.

Chicago Cubs: Retooling for the future

In the past two seasons, Burks has shown a scary level of consistency in his numbers. Across 2018 and 2019, Burks posted a 92 wRC+. In 2018, Burks slashed .229/.330/.325 with six home runs and 14 stolen bases. In 2019, he slashed .237/.329/.320 with two home runs and 16 stolen bases.

In 2019, Burks did see two games worth of action at Triple-A Iowa, another big step for the right-handed hitting outfielder. Burks did not see a plate appearance in the first game, but in the second game, he knocked a couple of singles and finished with a three-RBI day.

It remains to be seen how Burks fits into the Cubs’ plans. Heyward is not going anywhere anytime soon, and with Brennen Davis and Cole Roederer working their way through the system, there will be less room. Still, Burks is just 24 years old. If Chicago makes a deal involving Davis or Roederer, it could give Burks a chance he has been working towards his entire life.