Griffin Jax

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105+1⁄3 innings. [4] He was named the Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year alongside Jimmy Lambert. [5]

Professional career

After his junior year, Jax was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. [6] He signed for $645,000 and made his professional debut with the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-level Appalachian League, pitching 8+2⁄3 innings. [7] [8] In 2017, he pitched in only five games before he was required to report Cape Canaveral, Florida for active duty. [9] [10] [11] In those five starts, he went 2–2 with a 2.61 ERA between Elizabethton and the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League. [12] In 2018, he was granted membership into the United States military's World Class Athlete Program, allowing him to make Olympic training his full-time responsibility (which counts towards his five years of required active duty) which in turn allowed him to play in the minor leagues full-time. [13] [14] During the season, he pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, going 3–4 with a 3.70 ERA in 15 games (14 starts). [15] [14] [16] After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League. [17]

Jax began 2019 with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Class AA Southern League with whom he was named an All-Star. [18] [19] While with Pensacola, he missed nearly three weeks due to fatigue. [20] In August, Jax was promoted to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League, with whom he finished the season. [21] Over 23 starts between the two clubs, Jax pitched to a 5–7 record with a 2.90 ERA, striking out 94 over 127+1⁄3 innings. [22] Jax did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. [23] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the St. Paul Saints of the Triple-A East. [24]

On June 5, 2021, Jax was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. [25] Jax made his MLB debut three days later on June 8 in relief at home against the New York Yankees, becoming the first Air Force Academy graduate in MLB history (he is still a captain in the Air Force Reserve). [26] He pitched one inning, giving up three earned runs on two home runs while also registering his first strikeout versus Tyler Wade. [27]

Personal life

Jax's father, Garth Jax played for 10 seasons in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals in the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. [28]

Jax is currently pursuing a graduate degree in business administration from Colorado State University. [29]

Jax and his wife, Savannah, married in January 2021 in Gilbert, Arizona. [30] Savannah holds the rank of captain in the Air Force. [31] In March 2023, the couple had their first child, a daughter. [32]

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References

  1. ↑ Ryan Casey (May 28, 2013). "Griffin Jax of Cherry Creek earns Colorado's Gatorade honor for baseball". Blogs.denverpost.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Baseball: Cherry Creek's Griffin Jax named Colorado Gatorade Baseball POY | USA TODAY High School Sports". Usatodayhss.com. May 28, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  3. ↑ Yunt, Jon E. "Philadelphia Phillies draft Rye H.S. star Denton Keys in 11th round – The Denver Post". Denverpost.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  4. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett (June 10, 2016). "Twins' Griffin Jax hoping to make MLB history". MLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Mountain West Names 2016 All-Conference Baseball Team – Mountain West Conference". Themw.com. May 25, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  6. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett (June 10, 2016). "Twins draft Griffin Jax, Thomas Hackimer". MLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  7. ↑ Wiley, Matt (June 14, 2016). "Air Force junior pitcher Griffin Jax signs with Twins, military future remains unclear | Sports Coverage". gazette.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Minnesota prospect Griffin Jax wears two uniforms – Twins and Air Force". GlobalSport Matters. November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  9. ↑ Wiley, Matt (July 11, 2017). "Air Force grad Griffin Jax pitching in Single-A with firm deadline to report for active duty | Sports Coverage". gazette.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  10. ↑ Wiley, Matt (March 14, 2018). "Former Air Force pitcher Griffin Jax balancing professional baseball with responsibilities on active duty | Sports Coverage". gazette.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Griffin Jax heads to Air Force after fine pitching performance in C.R. Kernels' 12–4 win over Lansing". The Gazette. July 22, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  12. ↑ David Dorsey (July 3, 2018). "Oh say can he pitch: Griffin Jax of Air Force Academy rises as Minnesota Twins prospect". Wlna-webservice.gannettdigital.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ Wiley, Matt (May 2, 2018). "Air Force graduate Griffin Jax can resume pro baseball career after acceptance into World Class Athlete Program | Sports Coverage". gazette.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  14. 1 2 "Minnesota Twins' Griffin Jax uses World Class Athlete Program to compete". Cronkitenews.azpbs.org. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Under-the-radar prospects for 2019". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  16. ↑ "4th of July: Jax juggles Air Force duties with playing pro baseball". News-press.com. July 3, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Griffin Jax brings patriotism with his pitching in Arizona Fall League". Azcentral.com. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  18. ↑ Wiley, Matt (April 8, 2019). "Air Force graduate Griffin Jax tosses 4 2/3 shutout innings in Double-A debut | Sports Coverage". gazette.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  19. ↑ Davis Allen. "Six Blue Wahoos Named To Southern League South Division All-Star Team – ESPN Pensacola". Espnpensacola.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Jax looking good for Blue Wahoos | Wind Surge". Milb.com. June 25, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  21. ↑ Wiley, Matt (August 7, 2019). "Air Force graduate Griffin Jax promoted to Triple-A in Minnesota Twins organization, placing him one call from major leagues | Sports Coverage". gazette.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Griffin Jax close to Majors after Air Force journey". Mlb.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  23. ↑ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled".
  24. ↑ "Twins solidify St. Paul Saints' first Triple-A roster – Twin Cities".
  25. ↑ "Twins Designate Juan Minaya, Select Griffin Jax - MLB Trade Rumors".
  26. ↑ "Griffin Jax becomes first Air Force player in MLB - KRDO".
  27. ↑ "Same old story as Twins fold with Yankees in town - Bring Me The News".
  28. ↑ "Second Lieutenant Griffin Jax Takes Mound For Wahoos | Blue Wahoos". Milb.com. April 13, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Air Force grad Griffin Jax riding out coronavirus in Colorado, staying in shape for Minnesota Twins | Sports | gazette.com".
  30. ↑ "Savannah Banyai and Griffin Jax's Wedding Website".
  31. ↑ "Griffin Jax called up by Twins".
  32. ↑ "Jax Family Baby Registry". Babylist. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
Griffin Jax
Griffin Jax.jpg
Jax in 2018 with the Fort Myers Miracle
Minnesota Twins – No. 22
Pitcher
Born: (1994-11-22) November 22, 1994 (age 29)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 8, 2021, for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins current roster
Active roster
Inactive roster
Injured list
Bereavement list
Coaching staff
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