Griffin Jax Stats & Scouting Report

IP	356.7
ERA	4.04
WHIP	1.154
BB/9	2.6
SO/9	10.2

Full name James Griffin Jax
Born 11/22/1994 in Phoenix, AZ
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Air Force
Debut 06/08/2021
Drafted in the 3rd round (93rd overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 (signed for $645,600).

View Draft Report

The son of a former NFL offensive lineman, Jax was picked by the Phillies in the 12th round after concluding his high school career in 2013, instead choosing to enroll in the Air Force Academy. Jax would be a sure bet to go in the top two or three rounds this year pending a decision by the Air Force regarding a possible deferral of his military commitment. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound righthander has been the Falcons' top starter this year, with a sterling 8-2, 1.91 mark with 76 strikeouts through 81 innings. While still a bit inconsistent, Jax has the best arm strength of any starter in the West, with a quick arm delivering a fastball that sits around 92 and gets up to 94-95 mph. His three secondary pitches are all average offerings at their best, with a focus on his mid-80s slider and low-80s changeup. The question as to what it will cost to get Jax away from his service commitment, assuming he is ready to choose professional baseball as his avocation.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: The son of former NFL linebacker Garth Jax, the younger Jax stood out on the pitcher’s mound instead at Air Force. The Twins took him in the third round in 2016, signing him for $645,600, but soon saw the Department of Defense bring back the traditional restrictions on pro sports participation for graduates of service academies. That change held through Jax’s first two pro summers as he was limited to just 40 total innings. The rules changed again, this team to his benefit, with the return of baseball as an Olympic medal sport for 2020. Jax took full advantage of the increased development time, piling up 109 combined innings via the Florida State and Arizona Fall leagues.

Scouting Report: Exhibiting excellent command with a loose, quick arm and a low-stress delivery, Jax spots his 90-93 mph fastball to all four quadrants. He must be pinpoint as his stuff lacks late action, but his touch and feel are advanced considering his limited mound time. Jax has a big-breaking slider that projects as a plus offering and a good feel for his change, which some evaluators feel will be his best pitch. With plus makeup, athleticism and an aggressive approach, he could still add some muscle to a lean build.

The Future: Entering his age-24 season already, Jax figures to start at Double-A Pensacola. He could move quickly now that he’s able to defer his military commitment.
The son of NFL linebacker Garth Jax--who played for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals--Griffin has been drafted twice. Taken in the 12th round out of high school by the Phillies in 2013, Jax instead enrolled at Air Force, where he evolved into one of the top arms in the west. The righthander went 9-2, 2.05 his junior season, striking out 90 against 20 walks in 105.1 innings to earn co-Mountain West pitcher of the year honors. Jax likely would have been drafted higher than 93rd overall if not for the uncertainty of his military commitment. Signed for $645,600, he pitched in just four games at Rookie-level Elizabethton before having to return to school in August. He will likely get his required five years of active military duty deferred, but he won't be available to the Twins until he graduates from the Academy in May. A good athlete, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Jax touches 95 mph and routinely sits in the low 90s, working in a changeup with plus potential and an average slider that lacks consistency. The Twins love his makeup and work ethic and envision him as a starter, but his biggest question mark is his sheer lack of innings. He should resume his pro career early in the summer of 2017.

Draft Prospects

The son of a former NFL offensive lineman, Jax was picked by the Phillies in the 12th round after concluding his high school career in 2013, instead choosing to enroll in the Air Force Academy. Jax would be a sure bet to go in the top two or three rounds this year pending a decision by the Air Force regarding a possible deferral of his military commitment. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound righthander has been the Falcons' top starter this year, with a sterling 8-2, 1.91 mark with 76 strikeouts through 81 innings. While still a bit inconsistent, Jax has the best arm strength of any starter in the West, with a quick arm delivering a fastball that sits around 92 and gets up to 94-95 mph. His three secondary pitches are all average offerings at their best, with a focus on his mid-80s slider and low-80s changeup. The question as to what it will cost to get Jax away from his service commitment, assuming he is ready to choose professional baseball as his avocation.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Control in the Minnesota Twins in 2020
Rated Best Control in the Minnesota Twins in 2019

Career Transactions

Tampa Bay Rays activated RHP Griffin Jax.
Minnesota Twins traded RHP Griffin Jax to Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Taj Bradley.
RHP Griffin Jax changed number to 22.
RHP Griffin Jax changed number to 42.
Minnesota Twins activated RHP Griffin Jax.
Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Griffin Jax to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins activated RHP Griffin Jax.
Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Griffin Jax from St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Griffin Jax to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Griffin Jax from St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Griffin Jax to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Griffin Jax from St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Griffin Jax to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins selected the contract of RHP Griffin Jax from St. Paul Saints.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to St. Paul Saints from Twins Alternate Training Site.
Minnesota Twins invited non-roster RHP Griffin Jax to spring training.
Minnesota Twins invited non-roster RHP Griffin Jax to spring training.
P Griffin Jax assigned to Minnesota Twins .
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to St. Paul Saints.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins invited non-roster RHP Griffin Jax to spring training.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Rochester Red Wings.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Rochester Red Wings from Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Pensacola Blue Wahoos from Rochester Red Wings.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Rochester Red Wings from Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to SOU South Division All-Stars.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos activated RHP Griffin Jax from the 7-day injured list.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos placed RHP Griffin Jax on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Pensacola Blue Wahoos from Fort Myers Miracle.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Fort Myers Miracle from Cedar Rapids Kernels.
Cedar Rapids Kernels placed RHP Griffin Jax on the military leave list.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Elizabethton Twins.
Elizabethton Twins activated RHP Griffin Jax from the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Griffin Jax assigned to Elizabethton Twins.
Minnesota Twins signed RHP Griffin Jax.
Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Griffin Jax, and from St. Paul Saints.

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