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BRIDGEWATER – The only thing standing in the way of Max Burt unlocking his full potential was himself.
Taken by the Yankees in 2018 with the No. 847 pick in a round (28) of the MLB Draft that no longer exists, the North Andover, Massachusetts native and former Northeastern University standout was somewhat of an overachieving afterthought in the system; never quite with enough pure tools to be considered a “prospect” in the organization, but always valuable enough to where he’d still have a job as he grinded his way to the upper levels.
That last part came into question last year, however, when Burt struggled to a .205 batting average in 85 games with Double-A Somerset in something of a super utility infielder role, playing everywhere but shortstop that was locked up by Anthony Volpe and then Trey Sweeney.
Visibly frustrated at times last year, Burt has found himself again this season, playing with an outward level of confidence that hadn’t previously been seen since he joined the club in 2021. It’s translated early onto the field as well, with the 26-year-old hitting a team-leading .440 with three home runs and 12 RBI in his first eight games, playing his way into consideration for a return to Triple-A.
“For me, last year was too much life and death with every at-bat, where this year, I’m thinking more about the whole process,” Burt said. “This season, every pitch is its own pitch, every pitch is its own entity. The at-bat I have in April is hopefully going to be the at-bat I have in October, so I’m viewing every pitch the exact same this year.”
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Burt says he hasn’t made any changes from a physical or mechanical standpoint, but that something clicked for him in big league camp this year, where he appeared in 13 spring training games and collected three hits, including two doubles, in 15 at-bats.
“It’s being around all those guys in spring,” he said. “… Just seeing how (Aaron) Judge, (Anthony) Rizzo, even (Anthony Volpe), how they kind of carry themselves day in and day out. There’s no panic in them, ever. Just being able to see that and add that to my game is something that’s been big this year.”
As his time in the organization has evolved, so too has Burt’s role, where he’s taken on more of a leadership-oriented approach in the clubhouse over the last year or two. There is perhaps no one more respected among his teammates than the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder, who says it’s a natural fit for him, crediting his parents for teaching him how to be a leader early in life.
“I’ve always been a leader, and I like to be that guy that guys can come to and talk about anything,” Burt said. “But, at the end of the day, I just want to win. That’s all I really care about. Getting guys on board for that is obviously more the (goal), but I definitely take pride in that. It’s an honor.”
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Treated as an elder statesman of sorts despite being only 26, Burt, who has 36 games worth of experience at the Triple-A level in Scranton in 2021, may find himself among more of a veteran group shortly if he continues to stay hot with the bat, paired with above-average defense in multiple infield spots.
In the meantime, however, he’ll enjoy being the team’s youngest and most approachable “grizzled vet.”
“I just like to be here, be present,” Burt said. “If anybody needs anything from me, I’m always here.”
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