Burger playedcollege baseball atMissouri State University. He was selected by the White Sox in the first round of the2017 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut in 2021. The White Sox traded Burger to the Marlins at the 2023 trade deadline, and the Marlins traded him to the Rangers during the 2024Winter Meetings.
Burger was invited to 2018 spring training by the White Sox. On February 26, he suffered a rupturedachilles tendon in his left leg, and was ruled out for the entire 2018 season on February 27.[11] In 2019, he missed time during the season due to a bruised heel.[12]
In 2020, Burger participated in the CarShield Collegiate league, acollegiate summer league inO'Fallon, Missouri, because there was no minor league season due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. It was his first time playing competitive baseball since 2017.[13] When the summer league ended, Burger was invited to the White Sox alternate training site.[14]
On November 20, 2020, Burger was added to the 40-man roster. He was assigned to Triple-ACharlotte Knights to begin the 2021 season.[15] Following a season-ending injury toNick Madrigal, Burger began taking reps at second base in Charlotte.[16][17] In June 2021, Burger was selected to play in theAll-Star Futures Game.[18] On July 2, after hitting .322 in Charlotte, Burger was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[19] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting third baseman against theDetroit Tigers. In the game, he also notched his first career hit, a double off of Tigers relieverErasmo Ramírez.[20] On July 17, Burger hit his first career home run, a two-run shot off ofHouston Astros pitcherAustin Pruitt.[21][22]
In 2022, Burger was added to the White SoxOpening Day roster and played third base forYoán Moncada who was injured.[23][24] Burger played in 21 games with a .239 average hitting two home runs and seven RBIs before he was sent back to Triple-A on May 9 when Moncada was activated.[25]
Burger began the 2023 season with Charlotte. The White Sox promoted him to the major leagues on April 5 whenEloy Jiménez went on the injured list.[26] With Moncada seeing regular playing time at third base and Jiménez being used as the maindesignated hitter, Burger began getting reps at second base.[27] On June 4, Burger hit a walk-off grand slam against theDetroit Tigers.[28]
On August 1, 2023, the White Sox traded Burger to theMiami Marlins in exchange for pitching prospectJake Eder.[29] In 53 games for Miami, he batted .303/.355/.505 with nine home runs and 28 RBI.
Over the remainder of 2023 and into 2024, the Marlins began to increasingly play him at first base, while still using him at third base and DH, but no longer using him at second base.[30] Burger made 137 plate appearances for the Marlins in 2024, slashing .250/.301/.460 with 29 home runs and 76 RBI; he struggled against lefties, batting .221/.260/.419.[31][32]
On December 11, 2024, the Marlins traded Burger to theTexas Rangers in exchange for prospects Echedry Vargas,Max Acosta, and Brayan Mendoza.[33] Before the 2025 season began, Burger announced that he would change his uniform number to 21, as his daughter had been diagnosed withtrisomy 21.[34]
Burger's parents are Mike and Shannon. As children, Burger and his sister frequently attendedSt. Louis Cardinals games with their father and grandfather.[35] Burger is married to Ashlyn.[36] The couple have a son and daughter.[34]
