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Jared Walsh

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Jared Walsh
Walsh with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021
Los Angeles Angels – No. 20
First baseman / Outfielder / Pitcher
Born: (1993-07-30) July 30, 1993 (age 31)
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 15, 2019, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
(through May 30, 2021)
Batting average.281
Home runs22
Runs batted in69
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average1.80
Strikeouts5
Teams

Jared James Walsh (born July 30, 1993) is an American professional baseball first baseman, outfielder, and pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Career

Walsh attended Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia and played college baseball at the University of Georgia.[1][2] In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star.[3] He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 39th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.[4]

Walsh spent his first professional season with the Arizona League Angels and Orem Owlz. He played 2016 with the Burlington Bees, 2017 with the Inland Empire 66ers and Mobile BayBears, and 2018 with Inland Empire, Mobile and the Salt Lake Bees.[5] He also appeared in eight games as a relief pitcher in 2018.

The Angels invited Walsh to spring training in 2019, where they continued to use him as a two-way player.[6][7][8] He returned to Salt Lake to begin 2019. On May 15, 2019 his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues.[9] He made his debut that day versus the Minnesota Twins, where he went 3 for 4.[10] On May 26, Walsh recorded his 1st career RBI with a walk-off bloop RBI single against the Texas Rangers. In 2020, Walsh finished second on the team in home runs (9) despite only playing in 32 games, batting .293/.324/.646.

In the spring of 2020, Walsh suffered an arm injury which prevented him from pitching and forced him to focus on hitting and playing first base.[11] Walsh made the 2020 Opening Day roster[12] and performed well enough in the shortened season to finish seventh in voting for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.[13] His season was described as a "breakout" and a "bright spot" in a disappointing year for the Angels.[14][15][16]

Prior to the 2021 season, Angels manager Joe Maddon said that the team did not plan to have Walsh pitch and were choosing to focus on his offense and defense, due in large part to his success in the prior season as a first baseman.[11] In May 2021, the Angels released first baseman and designated hitter Albert Pujols in part to free up playing time for Walsh whose success had carried over from the prior season.[17][18]

References

  1. ^ Pace @CodyPace, Cody. "Team jokester Jared Walsh is Georgia baseball's loudest, most versatile player". The Red and Black.
  2. ^ Han, Jamie. "Adversity no match for UGA baseball captain, Peachtree Ridge grad Jared Walsh". Gwinnett Daily Post.
  3. ^ "#43 Jared Walsh - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "Jared Walsh Selected By The Angels In 39th Round of MLB Draft". University of Georgia Athletics.
  5. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike. "Jared Walsh, Angels Prospect, Thumps, Pitches In Relief". www.baseballamerica.com.
  6. ^ "Angels have a two-way player; his name is not Shohei Ohtani". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 2019.
  7. ^ "Angels grooming Jared Walsh to be their next two-way player". February 14, 2019.
  8. ^ "The next Ohtani? Walsh to get two-way shot". MLB.com.
  9. ^ Calcaterra, Craig (May 15, 2019). "The Angels called up two-way player Jared Walsh". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  10. ^ Torres, Maria (May 15, 2019). "Angels prospect Jared Walsh makes big league debut in loss to Twins". LA Times. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Fletcher, Jeff (February 18, 2021). "Angels' Jared Walsh won't be pitching, but Taylor Ward will continue to catch". Orange County Register. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  12. ^ "Angels announce 2020 Opening Day roster". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. July 23, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "2020 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  14. ^ Posner, Jules (May 7, 2021). "After Surprise Pujols Move, It's Time For Los Angeles Angels' Jared Walsh To Step Into Spotlight". Forbes. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. ^ Bailey, Cole (December 1, 2020). "Jared Walsh's Breakthrough Is For Real". Pitcher List. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  16. ^ Axisa, Mike (September 17, 2020). "Slugger Jared Walsh is emerging as a bright spot in what has been a disappointing 2020 season for the Angels". CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "Pujols moves to Dodgers, disputes Angels' everyday claims". Associated Press. May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  18. ^ "Angels: No room for Albert Pujols as everyday player". FOX 2. Associated Press. May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
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