Tennessee's Blake Burke taken No. 34 overall by Milwaukee Brewers in 2024 MLB Draft

Blake Burke joined the list of first-round picks in Tennessee baseball's incredible run in the MLB Draft in the past three seasons.

Burke was picked No. 34 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the competitive balance portion of the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday. He joined second baseman Christian Moore as first-round picks in the draft after Moore was picked No. 8 overall.

It is the second time UT has had two first-rounders in the past three drafts. It has has had five first-round picks in those three years and six overall under coach Tony Vitello.

Moore became the highest-drafted Vol in the Vitello era when he was picked No. 8 overall by the Los Angeles Angels. The second baseman was the fifth first-round pick since 2020 and the second top-10 pick.

Blake Burke drafted No. 34 by Milwaukee Brewers in 2024 MLB Draft

Burke landed multiple first-team All-American honors as a junior after hitting a team-best .379 with 20 homers and 61 RBIs. He tied the UT program record with 30 doubles in 2024 after hitting nine in his first two seasons combined. The Californian hit 50 homers in his Tennessee career, which ranks second behind only Moore's 61.

Burke hit at least 10 homers in each of his three seasons at Tennessee. He had 16 as a sophomore after having 14 as a freshman. He is one of 11 players in Vols history to hit at least 20 homers in a season, joining four of his teammates in 2024.

Blake Burke is Tennessee's sixth first-round pick under Tony Vitello

Burke hit .280 with 43 RBIs as a sophomore before making major strides in all areas a junior. He proved himself to be a complete hitter, smashing balls to the opposite field and increasing his walk total in 2024 while striking out less.

The 6-foot-3, 236-pound Burke developed into an elite defensive first baseman as a junior, netting SEC All-Defensive team honors. He was a second-team All-SEC pick.

DEFENSE: How Blake Burke went from a 'baby giraffe' to an elite defender for Tennessee baseball

Burke hit .326 with 14 homers in 95 at-bats as a freshman on UT's 2022 team. His .821 slugging percentage in 2022 ranks as the third-highest single-season mark by a Vol. He finished with a .652 slugging percentage in his career, which ranks No. 8 in Vols history.

His 108 hits in 2024 is the fifth-most in a season in UT history, while his 74 runs ranks sixth and his 51 extra-base hits is tied for the third-most.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Blake Burke: Tennessee first baseman picked No. 34 by Milwaukee Brewers in 2024 MLB Draft