5/31/26 : Spotlight Update - Outfielder Griffin Burkholder

On March 11th of 2025 I wrote an initial spotlight article on Griffin Burkholder - at the time he was in Winter High Performance Camp working with the rehab team addressing hamstring discomfort. It became a lingering injury and bothered him throughout the 2025 season limiting him to just 34 games as he spent a significant amount of time working with the rehab team at the Player Development Center in Clearwater to both alleviate the recurring issue while also strengthen his legs so as to allow him to eventually play regularly.

This season he’s indeed been able to work into regular playing time and has done very well thus far posting a .281/.390/.456 slash line and .846 OPS in 137 plate appearances over 29 games for the Clearwater Threshers with 52 total bases including 9 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs and 17 RBIs with 9 stolen bases and 13 walks. The month of May has been an especially productive one for Griffin - a 352/.440/.606 slash line with a 1.046 OPS in 18 games (84 PA’s) with 25 hits (9 doubles, 3 HR’s) and 14 RBIs, 8 walks, 5 stolen bases, 15 runs scored with 43 total bases.

The now twenty year old was selected by the Phillies in the second round of the 2024 draft from Freedom High School in South Riding, Virginia. With a senior class size of close to 500 students the graduation ceremonies were held at Eagle Bank Arena on the campus of George Mason University.  Griffin is not only blessed with great baseball skills but also with academic prowess as he ranked in the top 25% of his graduation class taking a course load of advanced placement and college prep courses. He had committed early to attend West Virginia University (in fact doing so in November of 2020) pursuant to a lifelong dream of his to play for the Mountaineers, a great many of his family members are from the state of West Virginia. The decision to turn pro and sign with the Phillies was not an automatic one as he and his family deliberated the positives and negatives of each path availed. Ultimately he chose to sign and accomplish another lifelong goal of becoming a professional baseball player in pursuit of making it to the major leagues.

I first met him in the fall of 2024 after watching what may have been the most impressive initial BP I’ve seen from a new player. On that day he peppered the baseball all over the field with consistent high impact and drove a few over the fences as well. His batting approach, hands, quickness and barrel to ball skills were truly impressive. It was very evident that he was well taught but equally evident that he has a tremendous skill set. A very highly regarded scout I spoke with about Griffin said that he has all the tools to be a standout player, it was very high praise from a long-time scout who doesn’t offer such without conviction.

Most scouting reports extol his overall skill set - a five tool type player. MLB rankings initially notated this on him  “Big, physical and athletic, the Phillies have taken to calling Burkholder “Captain America” because he can do everything well. There’s a ton of raw power for him to tap into, but in high school he didn’t always find the barrel consistently. He’s shown off early aptitude by already making the most swing adjustments of anyone in the system, eliminating some length in his swing and fixing some angles, allowing him to barrel up the baseball much more frequently. Assuming the hamstring is fine, Burkholder has close to top of the scale speed that works on both sides of the ball. He has the skills to play center field long-term, and could trade off with Dante Nori for the time being, with the Phillies very excited if they can form a dynamic duo in the big leagues with Nori in center and Burkholder in right.”

This past week I corresponded with Griffin to follow up on our initial chat and get an update on how things are going - here’s our interaction.

When the Phillies drafted you in 2024 you had planned on attending West Virginia - how difficult was the decision to turn pro instead? How did you feel when your name was called in the draft?

“The decision to turn pro was one I thought about for a while. My relationship with WVU was amazing and it was a dream to play there someday but when the Phillies came calling during the draft I knew I loved the people I had talked to from the organization and the deal was one I couldn’t turn down. Playing pro baseball was always one of my biggest dreams so seeing my name on draft night was an unbelievable feeling.”

I remember watching you in a BP session in your first year and being very impressed by your approach and swing. Your swing path and mechanics were textbook and still are - is that something that came naturally or is there a coach that taught you ?

“Building my swing has been a process since I can remember. In high school I tried to emulate Trea Turner in my swing a lot since he was a guy I watched a lot growing up. I built that swing along with many coaches back home including my high school coach, Mark Wrighte. Then once I got to the Phillies I’ve worked a lot with Luke Murton and the entire coaching staff here to continue evolving my swing to perform at the professional level.”

The first couple of seasons in your career must have been frustrating with the hamstring issues and spending the majority of your time on the IL and working with the rehab group at the complex. How did you persevere and maintain your focus? Describe the routine in general that you went thru to get back in action.

“I learned so much in my time in rehab. The main thing that allowed me to persevere was my faith in Jesus Christ. I grew in my faith so much over the last two years and knowing that he was going to guide me and build me up through the hard times allowed me to free my mind and just focus on working hard everyday to come back. My routine involved a bunch of recovery modalities and some tweaks to my pre activity routines so that I’m prepared to go 100% everyday.”

This April was a bit of a struggle but May has been an outstanding month for you - what adjustments have you made if any? You are driving the ball with authority - how does it feel to be back playing and having success again?

“I think the main adjustment was just being able to play more often. I feel like I hadn’t been able to really get my feet under me going through rehabs up and down the last year so being on the field consistently has allowed me to build my timing and just be on time for the pitches I’m looking for. It feels amazing to be back playing though and having success. Most importantly I feel healthy and strong everyday which has me excited for the rest of this season.”

You have multiple baseball tools - is there one aspect of the game that you like more or is it an equal enjoyment to all aspects?

“I’d say it’s an equal enjoyment for the most part. I love being able to use my speed again, stealing bags and taking extra bases has always been one of my favorite things. Being able to put pressure on the defense everytime I’m up there is something I enjoy. Other than that I obviously love using my power and defense to put balls in gaps and take hits away.”

Do you feel that the hamstring issues are behind you now, are you on a program designed to keep them from recurring. How happy are you to be back on the field?

“I do feel like the hamstring issues are behind me. I feel strong and loose everyday. I’m on a program in the training room and weight room to prep my body before my work everyday and to recover after every game to keep them feeling fresh. Being out on the field with no worries about my hamstrings has been super freeing. I feel like I can play my game, use my speed and strength and not worry about my past injuries anymore.”

I thank Griffin for taking the time to interact and wish him continuing success in his pro career. Good health is vital to a pro ball player’s success, watching Griffin struggle with leg issues the past two seasons was tough but now seeing him back on the field and in games performing has been great. His hard work and faith have guided him to his return. This young man is yet another who has the attitude, skill set, support and acumen to advance up the ladder. That’s good stuff!

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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