Name: Griffin Burkholder
Position: OF
Born: August 30, 2005
Country: US
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’2″ 195lbs
How Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2024 Draft by the Phillies
Signed: July 24, 2024
Bonus: $2,497,500
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2028
MiLB Free Agency: 2030
Stats
Prospect Rankings
Role: Above Average Regular
Risk: Extreme – Burkholder hit a triple in his first pro plate appearance and then injured himself in his second. He has plenty of tools, but there are some flaws that haven’t had time to face resistance.
Summary: The Phillies gave equal bonuses to their top two picks, and Burkholder, picked second of the two, might be the better prospect. He has good size and already flashes plus raw power thanks to good bat speed and a swing that gets pull side loft. His swing has some length, and he chased some breaking balls away in some of the unofficial games. However, in the small sample size he wasn’t a hacker and showed a patient approach. Defensively, pre-draft reports had him as a plus plus runner who could stick in center field. If he manages to do that, he could be an elite prospect, but his overall frame looks like he will lose at least a grade of speed. It is easy to see him shifting from ok center fielder to a plus corner defender. Burkholder has the raw tools to be an impact player, but he has very little pro sample size and is mostly just projection at this point.
2025 Outlook: Burkholder should be one of the starting outfielders for the Threshers, whether he gets time in center while sharing an outfield with Dante Nori remains to be seen. The Phillies have not been afraid to push high profile high school picks to Jersey Shore if they have success either.
Role: Above Average Regular
Risk: Extreme – Burkholder hit a triple in his first pro plate appearance and then injured himself in his second. He has plenty of tools, but there are some flaws that haven’t had time to face resistance.
Summary: The Phillies gave equal bonuses to their top two picks, and Burkholder, picked second of the two, might be the better prospect. He has good size and already flashes plus raw power thanks to good bat speed and a swing that gets pull side loft. His swing has some length, and he chased some breaking balls away in some of the unofficial games. However, in the small sample size he wasn’t a hacker and showed a patient approach. Defensively, pre-draft reports had him as a plus plus runner who could stick in center field. If he manages to do that, he could be an elite prospect, but his overall frame looks like he will lose at least a grade of speed. It is easy to see him shifting from ok center fielder to a plus corner defender. Burkholder has the raw tools to be an impact player, but he has very little pro sample size and is mostly just projection at this point.
2025 Outlook: Burkholder should be one of the starting outfielders for the Threshers, whether he gets time in center while sharing an outfield with Dante Nori remains to be seen. The Phillies have not been afraid to push high profile high school picks to Jersey Shore if they have success either.
Season Reports/Highlights
Phillies 2024 Midseason Prospect Ranking and Trade Deadline Preview
Burkholder was the Phillies 2nd round pick in this past draft. He has plus plus speed, athleticism, and potential plus raw power due to a projectable frame. For now he profiles as a center fielder, but if he fills out and the speed slips a bit he should slide into being a plus corner defender. He is far from a sure thing, but he is an interesting player to see how he grows.
Phillies 2024 Midseason Prospect Ranking and Trade Deadline Preview
Burkholder was the Phillies 2nd round pick in this past draft. He has plus plus speed, athleticism, and potential plus raw power due to a projectable frame. For now he profiles as a center fielder, but if he fills out and the speed slips a bit he should slide into being a plus corner defender. He is far from a sure thing, but he is an interesting player to see how he grows.