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.