Jared Mitchell (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jared Mitchell |
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Mitchell with the LSU Tigers
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| Born: October 13, 1988 New Iberia, Louisiana, U.S. |
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Jared Christopher Mitchell (born October 13, 1988) is an American former professional baseball player. He used to play as an outfielder. He was picked by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 2009 baseball draft. Jared also played college baseball for LSU. He was even named the best player in the 2009 College World Series! Today, he works as a sports analyst.
Contents
Early Life and College Sports
Jared Mitchell went to Westgate High School. Baseball America magazine thought he was one of the best high school athletes in the country in 2006.
After high school, the Minnesota Twins baseball team wanted to sign Jared. They offered him $700,000 to play for them. But Jared decided to go to Louisiana State University (LSU) instead. He wanted to play college baseball and get an education.
Jared was a talented athlete. He played two sports at LSU: baseball and football. He helped the LSU baseball team win the 2009 College World Series. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of that series. He also played on the LSU football team that won a national championship in 2007. It's rare for someone to win national championships in two different college sports! In 2008, he played summer baseball for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox.
Professional Baseball Career
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox picked Jared Mitchell in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the 23rd player chosen overall. He started his professional career with the Kannapolis Intimidators. This team is a "Single-A" minor league team for the White Sox.
In his first season, Jared had a .296 batting average. This means he got a hit almost 30% of the time he tried. He also had 10 runs batted in (RBI) and 5 stolen bases.
In 2010, Jared had surgery on his left ankle and missed the whole season. He came back in 2011 to play for the Winston-Salem Dash. This was a "High-A" team. He hit 9 home runs and had 58 RBI that year.
In 2012, Jared moved up to the Birmingham Barons, a "Double-A" team. Later that year, he was promoted again to the Charlotte Knights, a "Triple-A" team. Triple-A is just one step below the major leagues! He finished 2012 with 11 home runs and 67 RBI. The White Sox added him to their 40-man roster. This protects a player from being picked by other teams.
Jared started 2013 at Triple-A, but he struggled with his hitting. He was sent back to Double-A. He played between Triple-A and Double-A for the next few years. The White Sox released him in May 2015.
Los Angeles Angels
After leaving the White Sox, Jared signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in May 2015. He played for their Double-A and Triple-A teams. He became a free agent in November 2015.
New York Yankees
In 2016, Jared signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. He played for their Double-A team, the Trenton Thunder. He was released by the Yankees in May 2016.
York Revolution
Jared then signed with the York Revolution in July 2016. This team plays in an "independent league." These leagues are not connected to Major League Baseball teams. In 2017, Jared helped the York Revolution win a championship! He had a great season, hitting .295 with 14 home runs and 24 stolen bases. He also improved his strikeouts.
Cincinnati Reds
In December 2017, Jared signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He was playing well in spring training, hitting .360. But he was surprisingly released in March 2018.
Later Career
Jared returned to the York Revolution in April 2018. He played well, hitting .275 with 6 home runs and 33 stolen bases.
He then played for the Sugar Land Skeeters and High Point Rockers in 2019. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, he played in a special league called the Constellation Energy League.
Jared signed with the High Point Rockers again in May 2021. He played 114 games, hitting 14 home runs and stealing 27 bases. He re-signed with them in 2022 but only played one game before being released.
Jared Mitchell later retired from playing professional baseball. In April 2024, he joined ESPN as a sports analyst for the SEC Network.
Awards and Honors
- 2008 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
- 2008 Second-Team All-Louisiana
- SEC Freshman of the Week (February 26, 2007)
- 2009 College World Series Most Outstanding Player
