Jake Burger Is Hitting the Ball Hard and Walking More — The Window to Add Is Now

Jake Burger is posting a .398 wOBA over the last seven days with a 53.3% hard-hit rate and 94.9 mph exit velocity. Those aren't fluky numbers from a small handful of at-bats — that's 24 plate appearances of sustained, high-quality contact paired with improving plate discipline. At 25% rostered, he's still available in three out of four leagues. That needs to change.

The Rolling Window Tells the Story

Zoom out and the trend only strengthens the case. Over the last 14 days (52 PA), Burger is slashing .326 with 3 home runs and a .422 wOBA. That 14-day wOBA is actually higher than the 7-day mark, meaning this isn't a single-game spike — it's a sustained two-week surge built on real production. His 30-day numbers (.275 AVG, 4 HR, .355 wOBA over 104 PA) provide the floor, and even that floor is more than playable for a waiver wire pickup.

What's most encouraging is the plate discipline trajectory. Burger's strikeout rate has dropped from 26.9% over 30 days to 25.0% over the last week, while his walk rate has climbed from 10.6% to 12.5% in the same window. That's not a hitter selling out for power — that's a hitter who's seeing the ball better and making pitchers pay for mistakes. His most recent game, a 0-for-2 with two walks, reinforces that he's being selective at the plate rather than chasing.

The Statcast Data Is Real

A 53.3% hard-hit rate and 94.9 mph exit velocity over the last seven days validate that the results aren't built on luck. His 14-day hard-hit rate sits at 51.7% with a 92.6 mph average exit velocity, and even his 30-day marks (50.0% hard-hit, 92.4 mph EV) sit comfortably in productive territory. The contact quality has been consistent across all three rolling windows, which means this isn't a mirage. The data is clear: Burger is barreling the ball with authority.

WaiverScout Called This Early

We first flagged Burger as an Add Now back on March 27 when he was rostered in just 15.2% of leagues. We've reiterated that call on May 24, June 4, and June 12. The signal has briefly dipped — we downgraded him on June 8 when the numbers cooled — but every time the skills data has reasserted itself. His ownership has crept from 15% to 25%, but the market still hasn't caught up to what the underlying metrics are screaming.

FantasyPros recently highlighted Burger as a must-add waiver wire target, and their player page notes his recent home run against the Padres. The broader fantasy community is starting to notice, which means the acquisition window is narrowing.

Positional Context

At first base, the waiver wire is rarely this generous. Compare what's available: if you're eyeing players like Nick Kurtz or Paul Goldschmidt, Burger's combination of power, improving discipline, and consistent playing time makes him a legitimate priority. He's logged 24 PA in the last seven days and 52 over the last 14 — there's no platoon concern here. He's in the lineup every day.

Verdict: Add Now

Jake Burger is an Add Now. A .398 wOBA with elite-level exit velocity, a climbing walk rate, and everyday playing time in the Texas lineup — all at 25% ownership with zero roster velocity. The numbers back it up across every rolling window. If he's on your waiver wire, he shouldn't be by tomorrow morning. This is a pickup that WaiverScout has been pounding the table on since March, and the signal has only gotten louder.