Baseball is part of Chris Burke’s DNA.
His father Neil is a former national team representative and current scout for the Kansas City Royals, and his brother Justin is a former Australian underage representative.
Now it’s Chris’ turn to make an impact. Next week he’ll take on some of the best young talent in the world, suiting up for the MLB World Select Team at the Arizona Fall Classic.
Burke says his father ignited his passion for the game. "I see dad as my biggest role model in life,” Burke said. "All I wanted to do as a kid was be around baseball as much as possible. Having a father involved in the game at such a level has allowed my summer holidays to be spent at the field and in clubhouses with him."
Burke would love to achieve as much as his father, and this motivation has driven him to new heights. Burke has been a regular in the Victorian state setup over the past few years, and sees the Arizona Fall Classic as an opportunity to play against some of the best young talent in the world. “I'm confident in my preparation and ready for the challenges that lie ahead,” Burke said. “Two of my Aces Academy teammates (Jamie Young and Jackson Boyd) were on the same tour in 2017, and both had a great time. They’re both in college programs in the US right now, and I’m keen to create chances for myself to play in the US.”
In the last few years, high-quality Australian talent including Jordan McArdle (Diamondbacks), Jess Williams (Brewers) and Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis (Grand Canyon University) have all suited up for the MLB World Select Team.
Burke, along with 11 others in the 2018 class, will have the opportunity to take on professional and college teams in front of hundreds of scouts from all across the USA.
You can keep up to date with the MLB Select Team’s journey on the Baseball Australia Facebook page.
Baseball is part of Chris Burke’s DNA.
His father Neil is a former national team representative and current scout for the Kansas City Royals, and his brother Justin is a former Australian underage representative.
Now it’s Chris’ turn to make an impact. Next week he’ll take on some of the best young talent in the world, suiting up for the MLB World Select Team at the Arizona Fall Classic.
Burke says his father ignited his passion for the game. "I see dad as my biggest role model in life,” Burke said. "All I wanted to do as a kid was be around baseball as much as possible. Having a father involved in the game at such a level has allowed my summer holidays to be spent at the field and in clubhouses with him."
Burke would love to achieve as much as his father, and this motivation has driven him to new heights. Burke has been a regular in the Victorian state setup over the past few years, and sees the Arizona Fall Classic as an opportunity to play against some of the best young talent in the world. “I'm confident in my preparation and ready for the challenges that lie ahead,” Burke said. “Two of my Aces Academy teammates (Jamie Young and Jackson Boyd) were on the same tour in 2017, and both had a great time. They’re both in college programs in the US right now, and I’m keen to create chances for myself to play in the US.”
In the last few years, high-quality Australian talent including Jordan McArdle (Diamondbacks), Jess Williams (Brewers) and Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis (Grand Canyon University) have all suited up for the MLB World Select Team.
Burke, along with 11 others in the 2018 class, will have the opportunity to take on professional and college teams in front of hundreds of scouts from all across the USA.
You can keep up to date with the MLB Select Team’s journey on the Baseball Australia Facebook page.