Jakson Reetz
Reetz with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2023
San Francisco Giants
Catcher
Born: (1996-01-03) January 3, 1996 (age 28)
Hickman, Nebraska, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 10, 2021, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Batting average.500
Home runs0
Runs batted in0
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
18U Baseball World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2013 Taichung Team

Jakson Dale Reetz (born January 3, 1996) is an American professional baseball catcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals.

Career

Washington Nationals

In high school, Reetz played for the United States national under-18 baseball team.[1] Reetz was selected in the third round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft out of Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska. He chose to turn pro and signed with the Nationals, who drafted him with the 93rd overall pick.[2] He made his professional debut with the rookie-level GCL Nationals, hitting .274 in 43 games. In 2015, Reetz played for the Low-A Auburn Doubledays, batting .212/.326/.248 in 36 games. The following year, Reetz played in Single-A with the Hagerstown Suns, posting a .230/.346/.357 slash line with 4 home runs and 38 RBI. For the 2017 season, Reetz split the year between Hagerstown and the High-A Potomac Nationals, accumulating a .237/.337/.355 batting line with 4 home runs and 22 RBI. He returned to Potomac in 2018, slashing .224/.342/.323 with 5 home runs and 27 RBI in 69 games. Reetz played for Potomac for a third straight season in 2019, and batted .252/.370/.441 with career-highs in home runs (13) and RBI (55).[3]

Reetz with the Hagerstown Suns in 2016

After parts of six seasons in the Nationals organization, Reetz was invited to spring training in 2020 with the major league team. Reetz was also part of the team's 60-man player pool during the shortened season that year, but did not play in a game due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] He was subsequently invited to major league spring training in 2021, although he did not make the team.[5]

Reetz was promoted to Triple-A minor league baseball for the first time in July 2021, advancing from the Double-A Harrisburg Senators to the Rochester Red Wings.[6] Days later, on July 10, the Nationals selected his contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time, following an injury to primary catcher Yan Gomes.[7] He made his major league debut the same day, doubling off San Francisco Giants reliever John Brebbia in his first career at-bat and scoring a run.[8] Reetz was designated for assignment by the Nationals on September 22.[9]

Milwaukee Brewers

On December 9, 2021, Reetz signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[10] Reetz was added to the 40-man roster on August 4, 2022, and subsequently designated for assignment on August 18. He cleared waivers and declined an outright assignment, becoming a free agent.

Kansas City Royals

On August 25, 2022, Reetz signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[11] After the season, he was chosen for the Southern League Most Valuable Player Award for his time playing for the Brewers' Double–A affiliate.[12] He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[13]

On December 13, 2022, Reetz re-signed with the Royals on a new minor league deal.[14] In 2023, Reetz played in 27 games for the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers, hitting .274/.349/.526 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI. He opted out of his contract and was released by the Royals on June 16, 2023.[15]

San Francisco Giants

On June 27, 2023, Reetz signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.[16] In 55 games for the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, he batted .227/.338/.487 with 13 home runs and 42 RBI. Reetz elected free agency following the season on November 6.[17]

On December 7, 2023, Reetz re–signed with the Giants on a new minor league deal.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Jakson Reetz". Baseball America. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Jakson Reetz Makes Strides At The Plate". Baseball America. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Jakson Reetz Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History".
  4. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
  5. ^ Dougherty, Jesse (March 14, 2021). "Nationals make their first round of spring training cuts". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Dougherty, Jesse (July 10, 2021). "Injuries continue to plague the Nationals in series-opening loss to the Giants". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "Washington Nationals select Jakson Reetz". Curly W Live. July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Grell, Clark (July 10, 2021). "Norris graduate Jakson Reetz gets his first call to majors, and then his first big-league hit". Lincoln Journal-Star. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  9. ^ "Washington Nationals news & notes: Davey Martinez on Luis García batting 5th last night; Jhon Romero getting the call + more". 24 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Brewers Sign Three To Minor League Deals". MLB Trade Rumors. December 9, 2021.
  11. ^ McDonald, Darrah (August 31, 2022). "Royals Sign Jakson Reetz To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  12. ^ Terranova, Rob (November 8, 2022). "Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  13. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  14. ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/royals-to-sign-jakson-reetz-to-minor-league-deal.html
  15. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-06-16
  16. ^ https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2023/06/27
  17. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/16/23". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.

External links

Southern League Most Valuable Player
Categories