Jake Fox

Jake Fox
Free agent
Catcher / Outfielder / First baseman
Born: (1982-07-20) July 20, 1982 Beech Grove, Indiana
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 19, 2007 for the Chicago Cubs
Career statistics (through 2011 Season)
Batting average	.237
Home runs	20
Runs batted in	73
Teams
Chicago Cubs (2007, 2009) Oakland Athletics (2010) Baltimore Orioles (2010–2011)

Jacob Quirin Fox (born July 20, 1982) is an American professional baseball catcher and outfielder who is a free agent.

Early years

Fox is a graduate of Cathedral High School and went on to attend the University of Michigan where he earned first-team all-Big Ten conference honors.^[1]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

Fox was then drafted as a catcher by the Chicago Cubs in the 3rd round (73rd overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft.

From 2003 to 2006, he spent parts of each season in Single A ball for the Lansing Lugnuts and the Daytona Cubs, before moving on to Double A in mid-2006. As a member of the Lugnuts, Fox was given the opportunity to catch for then-Cubs pitcher Mark Prior, who was on a rehab assignment.^[2] Fox was ecstatic to catch for Prior, and even invited his family members to attend the game.^[2] However, upon arriving at the club house, he found out that Paul Bako was actually slated to catch the game.^[2] Fox approached his manager, Julio Garcia, who claimed that Fox was not experienced enough to catch a Major League pitcher like Prior.^[2] Garcia then revealed that the team was playing a practical joke on Fox, and that he would actually be in the team's lineup.^[2]

On July 19, 2007, Fox was called up from Double A Tennessee to the major leagues after shortstop César Izturis was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fox was called up with the intent that he would play first base, outfield, and be the third catcher. Fox made his major league debut on July 19, 2007 against the San Francisco Giants in a pinch hitting role and grounded into a double play. He had his first career hit on August 15 against Phil Dumatrait of the Cincinnati Reds, a double.^[3] Fox hit his first career home run on June 25, 2009 against Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers.^[4] On August 29, 2009, Fox hit his first career grand slam against Bobby Parnell of the New York Mets.^[5]

Fox as an Oriole in 2011.

In AAA with the Iowa Cubs in 2009, Jake Fox had a breakout year. He was batting .423 and had hit 17 home runs and 50 RBIs as of June 1, 2009. He was leading the PCL in both of these categories along with RBI, SLG, and OPS.^[6] He was recalled to the Cubs on May 27, 2009.^[7] He was optioned back to AAA Iowa on June 10, 2009,^[8] and was recalled to the Chicago Cubs again on June 16, 2009 and has achieved success as a part-time utility player since, capable of filling in at corner OF and IF positions, as well as catcher.^[9] On December 3, 2009, Fox was traded along with Aaron Miles to the Oakland Athletics for Jeff Gray, Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla.^[10]

Oakland Athletics

On December 3, 2009, the Oakland Athletics acquired Fox along with Aaron Miles, from the Chicago Cubs for Jeff Gray, Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla.^[10] After an unproductive offensive season Fox was designated for assignment by the A's on January 23 2012

Baltimore Orioles

On June 22, 2010, Fox was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Ross Wolf and cash considerations. In spring training in 2011, he led the major leagues in home runs, with 10, and extra base hits, with 17.^[11][12] He was designated for assignment on June 1.^[13] He elected free agency on November 2.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Fox to a minor league contract in November 2011.^[14] The Pirates released Fox in June 2012.^[15]

Somerset Patriots

Fox signed with the Somerset Patriots in July 2012.^[16]

Philadelphia Phillies

On August 5, 2012, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Fox to a minor league contract.^[17]

Return to Somerset

On March 6, 2013, Fox signed with the Patriots for the 2013 season.^[18] He hit .310/.387/.572 with 25 home runs in 374 at bats.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On August 11, 2013, Fox announced on his Facebook that the Diamondbacks had signed him to a minor league deal to play for the Reno Aces, their AAA affiliate. ^[19]

Awards

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)