The Rays introduced Thursday morning that they’ve designated catcher Alex Jackson for project and chosen the contract of left-hander Mason Montgomery from Triple-A Durham. Tampa Bay additionally optioned lefty Tyler Alexander to Durham and recalled infielder Austin Shenton.
Tampa Bay has caught with the 28-year-old Jackson all season, giving him 158 turns on the plate because the group’s backup catcher regardless of a .122/.201/.237 batting line and sky-high 34.2% strikeout fee. Jackson has performed sturdy protection, however that lack of productiveness within the batter’s field has now reached its tipping level, as Tampa Bay appears poised to show his position over to just lately promoted Logan Driscoll, who’s loved a powerful 12 months in Durham and can now pair with defensive standout Ben Rortvedt to comprise the Rays’ catching corps.
Jackson was taken by the Mariners with the No. 6 total decide within the 2014 draft and for years ranked as a high prospect thanks to very large uncooked energy and probably the most spectacular highschool performances in current reminiscence. He was in play as a potential No. 1 total decide throughout his draft season and considered as a possible middle-of-the-order hitter. The M’s have been bullish sufficient on his bat and athleticism to maneuver him to proper subject instantly in professional ball, in hopes of fast-tracking his path to the large leagues.
As a substitute, Jackson’s hit instrument by no means got here round to match his energy. He’s bounced across the league in a sequence of small-scale trades and minor league contracts however by no means cemented himself as a constant huge leaguer. In components of 5 MLB seasons, Jackson has taken 340 plate appearances and batted .132/.224/.232 with a staggering 41.8% strikeout fee.
As he’s moved again behind the plate and continued to hone his defensive expertise within the minors, Jackson has change into a top quality defender at catcher. Nevertheless, his persistent strikeout troubles prolong even to the Triple-A stage (29.3%). He’ll now head to waivers and be made out there to the opposite 29 golf equipment. If he clears, he’ll have the chance to elect free company, as is the case with all gamers who’ve been beforehand outrighted of their profession.
Montgomery, 24, was the Rays’ sixth-round decide in 2021 and ranked as one of many system’s high arms for the previous few seasons. He’s had a dismal 12 months within the Triple-A rotation and is presently sitting on a 6.26 ERA despite a pointy 26.1% strikeout fee and an solely barely higher-than-average 8.9% stroll fee. House runs have been Montgomery’s downfall, as he’s yielded a mean of 1.95 lengthy balls per 9 innings pitched.
That stated, there’s motive to maybe have a look at Montgomery in a extra favorable gentle. Past the intriguing Okay-BB profile, Montgomery moved to the bullpen on a full-time foundation in early August and has been borderline untouchable since. He’s fired 9 2/3 shutout innings since transferring to brief reduction, yielding simply 5 hits and 5 walks whereas punching out a mammoth 20 of the 38 hitters he’s confronted in his new position.
Extra to return.
