Jakson Reetz

Jakson Reetz
Reetz with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2023
New York Mets
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 2024 season)
Batting average.188
Home runs1
Runs batted in1
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
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 New York Mets organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants.

Career

Amateur career

Reetz attended Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska. In high school, Reetz played for the United States national under-18 baseball team.[1]

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals selected Reetz in the third round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. 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] He returned to Sacramento, playing in 15 games and hitting .217 with two home runs and nine RBI. On May 5, 2024, the Giants selected Reetz' contract, adding him to the major league roster.[19] He played in 5 games for San Francisco, going 1–for–12 (.083) with one home run and one RBI. On May 24, Reetz was designated for assignment following the signing of Drew Pomeranz.[20] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Sacramento on May 31.[21] On August 6, the Giants selected Reetz's contract, adding him back to their active roster.[22] He was designated for assignment on August 23, following the signing of Andrew Knapp.[23] Reetz cleared waivers for a second time on August 27, and was again sent outright to Sacramento.[24] He elected free agency on October 1.[25]

New York Mets

On November 22, 2024, Reetz signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.[26]

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". September 24, 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. ^ "Royals To Sign Jakson Reetz To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. December 13, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "Transactions". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  16. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/16/23". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "Giants Select Jakson Reetz, Designate Mitch White For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  20. ^ "Giants Sign Drew Pomeranz To Major League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  21. ^ "Giants' Jakson Reetz: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. May 31, 2024.
  22. ^ Adams, Steve; McDonald, Darragh (August 6, 2024). "Giants Select Jakson Reetz". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "Giants Sign Andrew Knapp To Major League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "Giants place starting pitchers Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks on IL". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  25. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-10-01
  26. ^ "Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers, Romano among 62 new MLB free agents". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 22, 2024.