Tony La Russa had read reports and talked to coaches, but nothing compared to seeing Jake Burger for himself this past spring. Right away, Burger’s enthusiasm stood out to the White Sox skipper.

Burger, Chicago’s No. 12 prospect, hasn’t had much to be enthusiastic about since his pro career began. After the White Sox made him the 11th overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft, Burger ruptured his left Achilles tendon the following February.

He tore it again three months later and severely bruised his left heel in 2019. Burger didn’t play a single inning in the Minors either season.

But he impressed La Russa in Spring Training this year, batting .308 (4-for-13) in seven games while flashing a strong, accurate arm from third base. All Burger has done since joining Triple-A Charlotte this month is slash .282/.338/.620, with multiple hits in four of his past five games.

“Toward the end of the spring, you could see the at-bats had shaken some of the rust,” La Russa said. “The last four, five games, he was one of the guys that hit the ball about as hard as anybody. So it’s no surprise he goes into the season [hitting well].

“I think he’s healthy; I think he’s a definite prospect.”

Being healthy is key, and Burger certainly believes he is. The 25-year-old used tennis to help shed 40 pounds over the past year and sharpen up his defensive reaction time post-injury.

Of course, the sport he’s most focused on now is baseball. And if he keeps up his current production, his comeback may soon culminate in a trip to the Majors.

“If the phone rings, the phone rings. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Burger said last month in regard to an MLB callup. “I’m going to do everything I can to put myself in the best position. … I’m just excited to be back playing baseball.”

Hendriks learning when to lock in during hot streak
Liam Hendriks describes it as “turning it off” and “turning it on.” He has an intensity about him while on the mound, typically in save situations or other tense moments, and it’s important to keep that mindset separate from his more happy-go-lucky demeanor off the field.

“Obviously, you guys have known me more on [Zoom] than on the field,” Hendriks explained Sunday. “It’s two bickering personalities, to say the least.”

He likes to laugh and joke when the situation calls for it; likewise, he likes to go blinders on and get serious when it’s time for that, too. What Hendriks realized recently is that he needs to turn those attitudes on and off, circumstantially.

“I can’t remain focused and that intense for an extended period of time,” Hendriks said. “So, even in between innings, I need to turn it off a little bit. And then with two outs kind of turn it back on just to get that mindset back, in the way of attacking the zone and being aggressive when I’m on the mound.”

However that on/off equation is supposed to work for the 32-year-old closer, he seems to have struck the proper balance this past month. 

Since April 29, Hendriks’ line looks like this: 11 2/3 innings, two runs (none earned), eight hits, two walks and 20 strikeouts. His season ERA has gone from 4.82 to 2.14 in that span. 

Hendriks earned a save on both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader, buoying his AL-best save total to 12. That prompted La Russa to ponder this hypothetical in his post-game interview: Would you rather add a 20-win starter to your team, or a shutdown closer? 

“I’ve always said the closer,” La Russa said. “Having [Hendriks], and the deepness of our bullpen in front of him, gives us a real chance to stay in contention and really get serious about October."