Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger recently sat down with a local sports outlet to discuss his career trajectory, his formative years at Missouri State University, and the broader shifts he sees in college baseball.
A New Chapter at Missouri State
Under new head coach Joey Hawkins, the Bears posted a 34‑win season and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, a turnaround that Burger credits to a culture of accountability and belief in the program.
Burger, who was drafted by the Rangers in 2017 after a standout college stint, now leads the team with 61 runs batted in this season and sits at 105 career home runs, numbers that reflect both his power and consistency at the plate.
The first baseman was traded from Miami to Texas in late 2024, a move that brought him back to a familiar environment and allowed him to focus on contributing to a club that values loyalty as much as performance.
Off the field, Burger maintains a residence in St. Louis but spends the season renting a home in the Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex, a logistical choice that mirrors his commitment to balancing personal roots with professional demands.
He has expressed a desire to attend a Bears game against Conference USA foe Dallas Baptist in the future, a nod to the rivalries that still matter to him despite his major‑league status.
Burger joins four other former Bears currently active in MLB, including Caden Bogenpohl, a 64th‑overall draft pick by the Philadelphia Phillies, underscoring the program’s growing presence in the big leagues.
At the heart of his reflections is a belief that camaraderie and loyalty are the bedrock of successful baseball, a philosophy that guides both his collegial relationships and his approach to the game at the highest level.