Education
Berken graduated from West De Pere High School. He played college baseball for the Clemson Tigers. While at Clemson, he played for the New England Collegiate Baseball League"s Keene Swamp Bats.
Berken was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round (175th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft.
On May 26, 2009, after pitching just 252⁄3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk, he was called up to the Orioles" roster to replace injured outfielder Lou Montanez.
He earned his first major league win that day, giving up two runs in five innings in a 7–2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. However, he finished the year with a 6–12 record, along with a 6.54 European Research Area in 1192⁄3 innings pitched.
This led to Berken being named the Alabama Les Sweetland award winner by SI writer Joe Posnanski for finishing the year as the worst starting pitcher in the American League.
On September 7, 2012, Berken was claimed off waivers by the Cubs.
He later signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago White Sox for 2013.
On November 15, 2013, Berken signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. On March 31, 2014 he was assigned to American Automobile Association Fresno Grizzlies.
On February 24, 2015, Berken signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
On March 2, 2015 he was assigned to American Automobile Association Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
He elected free agency on November 6.
On February 17, 2016, Berken signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.