Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The Phillies were looking to fill a future outfield at the start of the 2024 Draft, taking those who patrol the grass with four of their first five picks. The first two were high schoolers, with Dante Nori in the first and Burkholder in the second, and both signed for the same $2.5 million bonus as the Phillies went well over slot to lure Burkholder away from the University of West Virginia. He hasn’t been able to get as many on-field reps as hoped, with a hamstring issue ending his summer debut after signing following just two plate appearances. He was limited to just 34 total games during his first full season.

It’s hard to not like Burkholder’s physicality and athleticism, and even with the lost year, he’ll play nearly all of 2026 at age 20. He is capable of making very hard contact, registering high-end exit velocities when he’s been on the field, with at least plus raw power. He has made some swing adjustments and found better angles, but he struggled with his overall approach with too much swing-and-miss, particularly against breaking and offspeed stuff. Missed development time because of the injuries has not helped in this regard.

Healthy again, Burkholder will hopefully be able to get back to using his speed well. He’ll turn in some 70-grade run times, but it doesn’t translate the same on the basepaths in terms of stolen bases. It’s also looking like he’s better suited for a corner outfield spot rather than center, and he’s gotten most of his time in right field to date. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

When the Phillies were able to sign 2024 first-round pick Dante Nori under slot, they were able to use their savings to also bring Burkholder, their second-rounder, into the fold. The Virginia high school standout turned a strong summer showcase circuit and excellent senior season to rise up Draft boards, enabling him to land a $2.5 million bonus from the Phillies. He tripled in his first professional at-bat last summer with full-season Clearwater but got shut down after just one more plate appearance because of a hamstring issue.

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 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.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Over the past few years, the mid-Atlantic states have produced some high-quality high school bats that have gone in the first couple of rounds. In 2021, Jackson Merrill was a first-rounder from Maryland, while James Triantos went in the second from Virginia. Last year, Bryce Eldridge went in the first round, while Jonny Farmelo went No. 29 overall. This year, the top prep hitter from the region was Burkholder, a speedy outfielder who had an up arrow next to his name as the spring progressed. He landed in the second round of the Draft, signing for a well-over-slot bonus of $2.5 million.

Burkholder already looks like he belongs with a strong and athletic frame that is “what they look like.” And he has some tools to match. The right-handed hitter was one of the best performers at last summer’s East Coast Pro Showcase and has the chance to have real impact at the plate. He has plus raw power and can get to it in games at times, though he doesn’t always square the ball up, relying on strength at times more than finding the barrel. When he is on time, he can drive the ball.

The one-time West Virginia recruit’s standout tool is his well-above-average speed. His 70-grade wheels help him on the basepaths and in center field, where he has every chance to stick, with an average arm. He missed a little time with a hamstring injury this spring, but when he’s healthy, he looks like he could be a plus defender up the middle.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Over the past few years, the mid-Atlantic states have produced some high quality high school bats that have gone in the first couple of rounds. In 2021, Jackson Merrill was a first-rounder from Maryland while James Triantos went in the second from Virginia. Last year, Bryce Eldridge went in the first round while Jonny Farmelo went No. 29 overall. This year, the top prep hitter from the region is Burkholder, a speedy outfielder who seemed to have an up arrow next to his name as the spring progressed.

Burkholder already looks like he belongs with a strong and athletic frame that is “what they look like.” And he has some tools to match. The right-handed hitter was one of the best performers at last summer’s East Coast Pro Showcase and has the chance to have real impact at the plate. He has plus raw power and can get to it in games at times, though he doesn’t always square the ball up, relying on strength at times more than finding the barrel. When he is on time, he can drive the ball.

The West Virginia recruit’s standout tool is his well-above-average speed. His 70-grade wheels help him on the basepaths and in center field, where he has every chance to stick, with an average arm. He missed a little time with a hamstring injury this spring, but when he’s healthy, he looks like he could be a plus defender up the middle. The speed is key -- if he slows down, that could make him more of a fourth outfielder type.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to Philadelphia Phillies Prospects.
	11/06/2025	Clearwater Threshers activated OF Griffin Burkholder from the 60-day injured list.
	08/03/2025	Clearwater Threshers placed OF Griffin Burkholder on the 60-day injured list.
	07/25/2025	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to Clearwater Threshers from FCL Phillies.
	07/10/2025	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to FCL Phillies from Clearwater Threshers.
	06/19/2025	Clearwater Threshers sent OF Griffin Burkholder on a rehab assignment to FCL Phillies.
	06/06/2025	Clearwater Threshers placed OF Griffin Burkholder on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 5, 2025.
	04/26/2025	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to Clearwater Threshers from FCL Phillies.
	04/01/2025	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to FCL Phillies from Clearwater Threshers.
	03/06/2025	Philadelphia Phillies Prospects activated OF Griffin Burkholder.
	03/06/2025	activated OF Griffin Burkholder.
	09/16/2024	Clearwater Threshers activated OF Griffin Burkholder from the 7-day injured list.
	08/15/2024	Clearwater Threshers placed OF Griffin Burkholder on the 7-day injured list.
	08/15/2024	Clearwater Threshers placed OF Griffin Burkholder on the 7-day injured list.
	08/13/2024	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to Clearwater Threshers from FCL Phillies.
	08/05/2024	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to FCL Phillies.
	07/24/2024	Philadelphia Phillies signed OF Griffin Burkholder.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated OF Griffin Burkholder.
	06/06/2024	OF Griffin Burkholder assigned to College Workout.
	09/23/2023	OF Griffen Burkholder assigned to High School Workout.