WEST ORANGE- Jordan Burwell has developed a daily passion to study hitting, focusing on extending the barrel of the bat in the zone while at the same time always emphasizing being selective about which pitches to swing at.
It’s been a continual process and a labor of love for one of the state’s top hitters as Seton Hall Prep’s West Virginia-bound senior slugger looks to continue to excel in his final high school season with the ultimate goal helping lead the Pirates to a Non-Public A state championship.
The first month of the season has been simply superb for the powerful 6-foot-2, 220-pound Burwell, who in the first 12 games had produced 13 extra base hits, including 5 home runs, while driving in 21 runs with a slugging rate of 1,103 in his first 39 official at bats.
For his efforts, which includes hammering two home runs with 5 RBI in a recent 9-7 win over Morris Knolls, and delivering a pair of doubles and 3 RBI as SHP defeated Millburn 14-2 to also give veteran coach Mike Sheppard, Jr. his 900th career win, Burwell is the latest Parisi Fairfield/Sideline Chatter Athlete of the Week.
The Pirates’ 4-year starting first baseman, who was SC’s 2025 Essex County Player of the Year when he batted .478 with 30 RBI, just keeps getting better each season, and the best is still be ahead for the lefty-swinging power hitter who should be a terrific addition for West Virginia, which has been one of the top teams in the highly-competitive Big 12 Conference while also producing numerous major league draft picks.
He made a verbal commitment to West Virginia way back in his freshman year and has stayed with that decision even when longtime Mountaineers head coach Randy Mazey retired after the 2024 season and assistant Steve Sabins took over as the head man.
Mazey had been the 2019 Big 12 Coach of the Year when the team hosted its first NCAA regional since 1955.
“West Virginia gets better every year,” said Burwell. “They had seen me in the summer, invited me to a winter camp, and I immediately fell in love with everything about the baseball team and the school.
“The coaches are so great, and were very cool and personable right from the start. I enjoyed being at the big and beautiful campus and the school has terrific academics to go along with a great baseball program.
“When Coach Mazey retired Coach Sabins stepped up and the team has continued to be first-rate!”
West Virginia finished 44-16 in 2025 while winning the Big 12 Conference regular season title. The current Mountaineers entered recent action with a 26-9 record, including 11-6 in the conference.
While studying finance with an eye on a possible future career on Wall Street could be in the offing for Burwell, his ultimate goal on the diamond is to one day follow in the footsteps of former Seattle Mariners great Ken Griffey, Jr. - the player he idolizes – and one day play major league baseball.
“I definitely want to aim to play at the highest level in the sport, and I know there is a great deal of work ahead of me with that goal in mind,” said Burwell. “I had the pleasure of meeting Ken Griffey, Jr. in Florida when I was at the Hank Aaron Invitational, he was very nice, and I just felt his aura.
“He has the smoothest swing of all time and I continue to watch highlights on my I-Pad of him hitting.
“Among current players I also like to watch (the Philadelphia Phillies’) Bryce Harper who hits with such great lefty power and carries whatever team he’s on.
“I work on my hitting all year round, and I’ve been blessed with great coaches who have helped me in elevating my game, plus I play for the best coach in the state, and the entire staff at Seton Hall Prep is first rate!”
