Jakson Reetz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #25 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Reetz signed out of high school for $800,000 in 2014 instead of playing baseball at Nebraska, where his father was a linebacker on the football team. After scuffling at the plate throughout his pro career and spending a third straight season at high Class A, Reetz's bat finally broke out when he hit .282/.378/.563 with 12 home runs in 174 at-bats in the second half of 2019. The Nationals brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Reetz has continued to make progress at the plate, namely by improving his bat path by allowing his hands to do more of the work. He has average to above-average power and has made progress in his strike-zone recognition skills and hitting to the right-center field gap. He still has a long way to go, but Reetz is at least moving in the right direction offensively. Defensively, Reetz has soft hands in receiving and is a good blocker behind the plate. He has a quick exchange and average arm strength. Reetz is a hard worker and good teammate, endearing him to scouts and coaches alike.
  
  THE FUTURE: Reetz's offensive developments give him a shot to be a backup catcher. He'll make the move to Double-A in 2021.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #28 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Reetz signed out of high school for $800,000 instead of playing baseball at Nebraska, where his father played linebacker in the football program. He's a hard worker who won the organization's Bob Boone Award in 2019 for playing the “Nationals Way.”
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The question with Reetz has been his bat, and something clicked for him in the second half of the season at high Class A Potomac. He hit .282/.378/.563 in 174 at-bats after the Carolina League all-star break. He went 1-for-2 in the all-star game, but up to that point he was known more for his makeup and leadership skills than for his offense. Reetz has learned to relax more and let his ability take over. He threw out 41 percent of opposing base stealers last season and has soft hands and good blocking skills. He's also a decent runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Reetz even hit well in his 27 at-bats for Surprise in the Arizona Fall League, putting up .333/.455/.519 numbers. After 2 1/2 seasons of high-A ball, there's a good chance he'll start 2020 at Double-A Harrisburg.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #29 prospect in 2018
  After missing the first month of 2017 with an injury, Reetz logged 37 games at low Class A Hagerstown before earning his first promotion to high Class A Potomac, where he threw out 39 percent of basestealers. While Reetz has just average to solid-average arm strength, he has managed to consistently keep opponents' running games in check during the first few years of his pro career. Offensively, he hasn't managed to hit above .237 since his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League back in 2014 and is more of a gap-to-gap hitter, though he made adjustments with his lower half and has been driving the ball up the middle with more authority. Against Carolina League arms, Reetz struck out a career-high 31 percent of the time but managed a respectable walk rate (9 percent), as he has throughout his career. Nationals evaluators rave about Reetz's makeup and work ethic, and while he doesn't have a single standout tool, he has an interesting package that could lead to a backup catcher role in the big leagues with continued offensive and game-calling development.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #18 prospect in 2017
  After an impressive showing in the summer of 2013, including leading USA Baseball's 18U national team in hitting at the World Cup in Taiwan, Reetz became the first high school player from Nebraska to be drafted in the top five rounds since 1996 when the Nats took him 93rd overall is 2014. He was slowed by injuries during his first full professional season, but advanced to full-season ball in 2016. He got off to a slow start with low Class A Hagerstown, but improved as the season went on. Reetz is still raw, but has a dynamic set of tools. He worked to adjust his setup offensively to allow him to more consistently barrel balls. He is best when he hits line drives from gap to gap, and has the potential to develop average power in time. Defensively, Reetz has the athleticism and hands to become a solid receiver. He has above-average arm strength and threw out 33 percent of base-stealers in 2016. Having acclimated to full-season ball, Reetz will look to improve on his performance as he advances to high Class A Potomac in 2017.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #14 prospect in 2016
  Reetz made a name for himself in the summer of 2013, earning MVP honors at the Perfect Game All-America Classic and helping USA Baseball's 18U national team win the World Cup in Taiwan, where he led the team with a .435 average. Those performances resonated with the Nationals in the 2014 draft, when they made Reetz the first high school player from Nebraska to be drafted in the top five rounds since 1996. Hampered by nagging injuries during his first full pro season, the catcher ended 2015 on the disabled list with a wrist injury. When Reetz is right, he has a well-rounded tool set. He's still raw, but he has a strong arm and the athleticism and hands to become an above-average receiver. Offensively, Reetz has a quick swing and hits line drives to all fields. He is a patient, disciplined hitter and should eventually tap into his raw power. If Reetz can stay healthy in 2016, he could be positioned to take a step forward as he advances to low Class A Hagerstown.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #14 prospect in 2015
  A three-sport star during his prep days in Nebraska, Reetz batted .345/.459/.586 for USA Baseball's 18-and-under national team and was MVP of the Perfect Game All-American Classic in 2013. The Nationals signed him for $800,000 to lure him away from a commitment to Nebraska (where his father was a football linebacker). Reetz held his own in his pro debut, and he impressed the Nationals with his aptitude and feel for the game. He has a physical, athletic frame and soft hands behind the plate, where he quickly made adjustments with his setup, receiving and blocking. His transfer and release are sound, and his arm rates as solid-average. He needs polish, but he has the tools to become an above-average defender. Offensively, Reetz has a short righthanded stroke and a gap-to-gap approach, and he is selective for his age. He has the bat-to-ball instincts to become an average hitter, and the strength and leverage to grow into average power. He has played both outfield corners in the past, but he is a below-average runner. Reetz figures to start 2015 in extended spring training before heading to short-season Auburn.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #62 prospect in 2014 draft
  Reetz has a chance to be the highest-drafted Nebraska high school position player, a distinction held by third-rounder Scott Bream in 1989. He is an athletic three-sport star who was a vital offensive cog for Team USA (.429/.500/.714)and won MVP honors at the Perfect Game All-American Classic. The righthanded-hitter has a strong track record of bat-to-ball skills on the showcase circuit with a quick bat and direct path to the ball. Reetz has tremendous strength through his hands and forearms, allowing him to drive the ball to all fields. The 6-foot, 206-pounder has a strong, athletic build that should produce at least average power. Reetz has an above-average, accurate arm behind the plate and possesses soft hands, blocking ability and athleticism. He is a high-intensity gamer who hustles and is an asset behind the plate. Reetz, who is athletic for the position but is a below-average runner, provides positional versatility with the ability to play the outfield corners and run his fastball into the low 90s on the mound. Reetz, who has led his team to consecutive state championships, is committed to Nebraska, where his father played linebacker for Tom Osborne.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #14 prospect in 2014
  Reetz was an athletic, solid all-around catcher whom the Nationals signed for $800,000. He showed a mature hitting approach in the GCL, with a knack for working the count and not expanding the strike zone. He's a coordinated hitter with a quick, direct swing that helps him make consistent contact. He's strong, especially through his forearms, with loft in his swing that could lead to average power, though right now he's more of a gap-to-gap hitter. Like most catchers, Reetz is a below-average runner, but his athleticism is evident in the way he moves behind the plate. His hands work well, he's adept at blocking pitches and has a plus arm with good accuracy. He threw out 23 percent of basestealers in his debut (the league average was 30.5 percent). He's a gamer who plays with the intensity that should endear him to his managers.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Reetz signed out of high school for $800,000 in 2014 instead of playing baseball at Nebraska, where his father was a linebacker on the football team. After scuffling at the plate throughout his pro career and spending a third straight season at high Class A, Reetz's bat finally broke out when he hit .282/.378/.563 with 12 home runs in 174 at-bats in the second half of 2019. The Nationals brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Reetz has continued to make progress at the plate, namely by improving his bat path by allowing his hands to do more of the work. He has average to above-average power and has made progress in his strike-zone recognition skills and hitting to the right-center field gap. He still has a long way to go, but Reetz is at least moving in the right direction offensively. Defensively, Reetz has soft hands in receiving and is a good blocker behind the plate. He has a quick exchange and average arm strength. Reetz is a hard worker and good teammate, endearing him to scouts and coaches alike.
  
  THE FUTURE: Reetz's offensive developments give him a shot to be a backup catcher. He'll make the move to Double-A in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Reetz signed out of high school for $800,000 in 2014 instead of playing baseball at Nebraska, where his father was a linebacker on the football team. After scuffling at the plate throughout his pro career and spending a third straight season at high Class A, Reetz's bat finally broke out when he hit .282/.378/.563 with 12 home runs in 174 at-bats in the second half of 2019. The Nationals brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Reetz has continued to make progress at the plate, namely by improving his bat path by allowing his hands to do more of the work. He has average to above-average power and has made progress in his strike-zone recognition skills and hitting to the right-center field gap. He still has a long way to go, but Reetz is at least moving in the right direction offensively. Defensively, Reetz has soft hands in receiving and is a good blocker behind the plate. He has a quick exchange and average arm strength. Reetz is a hard worker and good teammate, endearing him to scouts and coaches alike.
  
  THE FUTURE: Reetz's offensive developments give him a shot to be a backup catcher. He'll make the move to Double-A in 2021.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Reetz signed out of high school for $800,000 instead of playing baseball at Nebraska, where his father played linebacker in the football program. He's a hard worker who won the organization's Bob Boone Award in 2019 for playing the “Nationals Way.”
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The question with Reetz has been his bat, and something clicked for him in the second half of the season at high Class A Potomac. He hit .282/.378/.563 in 174 at-bats after the Carolina League all-star break. He went 1-for-2 in the all-star game, but up to that point he was known more for his makeup and leadership skills than for his offense. Reetz has learned to relax more and let his ability take over. He threw out 41 percent of opposing base stealers last season and has soft hands and good blocking skills. He's also a decent runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Reetz even hit well in his 27 at-bats for Surprise in the Arizona Fall League, putting up .333/.455/.519 numbers. After 2 1/2 seasons of high-A ball, there's a good chance he'll start 2020 at Double-A Harrisburg.