Jason Stokes

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Jason Stokes (born January 23, 1982 in Irving, Texas) is a first baseman in the Oakland Athletics organization.

As a senior for Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas, he hit 25 home runs, which still stands as the state single-season home run record.[1] He was first discovered by Bob Laurie, a scout for the Florida Marlins.[2]

Stokes was drafted in the second round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins.[1] His best season in the minor leagues was in 2002 with the Kane County Cougars, where he hit .341 with 27 home runs and 75 RBI, earning Stokes the Sporting News minor league player of the year award.[3] Stokes participated in the 2002 Futures Game during All-Star Weekend, playing for the United States team.[4] He was ranked as the Marlins number four prospect and "Best Power Prospect" entering the 2005 season according to Baseball America.[5]

Injuries have plagued Stokes' career. His seasons with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2005 and 2006 were both very short due to hand and groin injuries.[6][7] He began spring training in 2007 with the Marlins. In a game against the Boston Red Sox on March 6, 2007, Stokes claimed that he was struck out by Daisuke Matsuzaka with the controversial gyroball pitch. Matsuzaka vehemently denies that he throws the gyroball.[8] Just before the start of the 2007 season, the Marlins traded Stokes to the Oakland Athletics organization, where began the season with the AAA Sacramento River Cats.[9] Unfortunately, his injury woes continued. After hitting 5 home runs in April, he was placed on the disabled list on May 7, 2007, with a sore back. [10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Marlins sign 2nd-round pick", Associated Press, August 27, 2000. 
  2. ^ Berardino, Mike (January 11, 2005). Strong farm helped in getting title. Retrieved on 2007-04-22.
  3. ^ Schwarz, Orrin. "Cougars excited about 2003 season", Chicago Daily Herald, February 8, 2003, p. 2. 
  4. ^ Bush, Joe. "Stokes' slugging merits accolades", Chicago Daily Herald, July 9, 2002, p. 6. 
  5. ^ Harrison, Randy. "Baseball buzz", Albuquerque Journal, April 7, 2005, p. B1. 
  6. ^ Harrison, Randy. "Isotopes' Burly Slugger Back in Swing of Things; No longer pained by an injured hand, Stokes building his confidence", Albuquerque Journal, April 2, 2006, p. D1. 
  7. ^ Barron, James. "Seabol, 'Topes rally", The Santa Fe New Mexican, May 5, 2006. 
  8. ^ Silverman, Michael (March 7, 2007). Matsuzaka magnificent in start against Marlins. The Daily News Tribune. Retrieved on 2007-04-22.
  9. ^ Casey, Tim. "A's trade Baker to the Marlins", Sacramento Bee, March 31, 2007, p. C9. 
  10. ^ Rivercats.
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