| IP | 6.2 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 1.35 |
| WHIP | .9 |
| BB/9 | 4.05 |
| SO/9 | 10.8 |
- 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
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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.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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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
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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
