Blake Burke: A Slugger Whose Batting Average Dropped in His Sophomore Year

Introduction

Blake Burke, a first baseman and designated hitter for the Tennessee Volunteers, had a remarkable freshman season in 2022. However, his sophomore season has been less impressive, with his slugging and batting average dropping significantly.

Freshman Season

As a freshman, Burke appeared in 45 games and had a batting average of .529 and an on-base percentage of .652 in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. His slugging percentage was also impressive at .838, and he finished the season with 16 extra-base hits.

Sophomore Season

In his sophomore season, Burke's batting average has dropped to .341, which ranks 12th in the SEC. His slugging percentage has also decreased to .400, which ranks fourth in the league. He still leads the team with 40 extra-base hits, but his overall production has declined.

Conclusion

It remains to be seen whether Burke can regain his freshman form, but his sophomore season has been a disappointment so far. The Volunteers will need him to step up if they want to make a run in the SEC and beyond.