Former Tennessee Vols standout Blake Burke just recreated one of his most iconic moments against the same pitcher for a professional first
Former Tennessee Vols first baseman had a career to remember in Knoxville. One of the school's greatest power hitters ever, he finished in second place in school history in home runs with 50 career blasts. After getting drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 34th overall pick in last year's draft, Burke was assigned to […]
Former Tennessee Vols first baseman had a career to remember in Knoxville. One of the school's greatest power hitters ever, he finished in second place in school history in home runs with 50 career blasts.
After getting drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 34th overall pick in last year's draft, Burke was assigned to High-A Wisconsin to start his 2025 season. And he had a big career first on Sunday afternoon, smashing his first career home run with a moonshot to right center field.
For those who might be thinking that feels all too familiar, well, your instincts would be correct. As it would be, the pitcher who gave up that home run is former Southern Miss pitcher Tanner Hall.
The Cedar Rapids hurler and Burke had a very similar moment that Tennessee fans remember very well. Back on June 11, 2023 during the Super Regionals in Hattiesburg, Burke stepped in against Hall with the Golden Eagles up 4-1 in Game Two of the series. Burke hit one of the longest home runs in recent memory off Hall, crushing the ball to right center field for a tape-measure 479-foot blast.
Tennessee rallied to within 4-3 on the home run and would eventually win 6-4 to force a third game, which Tennessee won to take the series and make their second trip to Omaha in three seasons.
Burke's path to the majors, like the vast majority of prospects, will be gradual and filled with highs and lows. However, Burke showed quickly what he has that teams crave: power. Something Hall knows far too well.
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