DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Former Northview High School pitcher Blake Burkhalter is headed to the major leagues.
The Atlanta Braves are calling up the Dothan native as a September roster addition, giving Burkhalter his first opportunity at the Major League Baseball level.
Burkhalter, a 2019 graduate of Northview High School, played three seasons at Auburn before beginning his professional career in the Braves organization.
The 25-year-old has put together a strong 2026 season in the minor leagues, posting a 1.26 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. Burkhalter has most recently pitched for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, recording a 1.48 ERA over 24.1 innings.
Burkhalter’s college career culminated in a breakout junior season at Auburn in 2022. He went 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA and recorded 16 saves, ranking second nationally and tying for the second-most saves in a single season in Auburn history. He struck out 71 batters and issued only seven walks over 46.1 innings.
The former Northview standout also played a key role in Auburn’s run to the 2022 College World Series. Burkhalter pitched 2.2 perfect innings with five strikeouts in the Tigers’ Super Regional-clinching victory over Oregon State. He later earned a save with five strikeouts over 2.1 scoreless innings against Stanford at the College World Series.
His performance that season earned him Second Team All-America honors from multiple organizations along with Second Team All-SEC recognition.
The Braves selected Burkhalter in the second compensatory round of the 2022 MLB Draft with the 76th overall pick.
Four years after being drafted out of Auburn, the former Northview Cougar has worked his way through Atlanta’s minor league system and now gets his first call to the majors.
