DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – A Dothan native and former pitcher for the Auburn Tigers is heading to “The Show,” and could find himself on the mound as soon as Tuesday night.
The Atlanta Braves announced Tuesday that they are calling up Blake Burkhalter to the major league roster, confirming insider reports that circulated the previous day.
A 2019 Northview graduate, Burkhalter shined for Cougars and was recognized as one of the top prospects in Alabama and nationally out of high school.
Burkhalter, a graduate of Northview High School, signed with Auburn, where he would spend three seasons before being drafted to the MLB.(WTVY)
He would spend three seasons on The Plains, becoming one of Auburn’s most successful relief pitchers with 104 strikeouts and a 3.01 ERA through 71.2 innings pitched.
Burkhalter’s 2022 junior season saw him pitch 46.1 innings with 71 strikeouts, a 3.69 ERA and 16 saves, the saves mark in particular tying for second-most in Auburn history, earning him second-team All-American and All-SEC honors while helping the Tigers earn a spot in Omaha.
Auburn pitcher Blake Burkhalter throws against Oregon State during the eighth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game on Monday, June 13, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)(Amanda Loman | AP)
Selected as the 76th overall pick in the second compensatory round by Atlanta in the 2022 MLB Draft, Burkhalter has went on to post quality numbers in the Braves farm system, pitching 215.1 innings through 4 seasons with an ERA of 2.88 and 210 strikeouts. In 2026, spent entirely as a relief pitcher after coming off a back injury in spring training, Burkhalter has recorded a 1.48 ERA and 29 strikeouts through 24.1 innings pitched for the Gwinnett Stripers, the organization’s Triple-A affiliate.
Burkhalter is expected to be available to play as soon as Tuesday night, when the Braves open up a two-game series against NL East rival Washington on the road. That game is set for first pitch at 5:45 p.m. central.
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