J. T. Wise
Encyclopedia
Jeremy Tyler "J. T." Wise (born June 2, 1986 in Orlando, Florida
) is a professional baseball
player in the Los Angeles Dodgers
organization. He bats and throws right-handed and primarily plays the catcher
position. Wise attended Louisiana State University
and later the University of Oklahoma
. At both, Wise played baseball and won multiple accolades over his four year combined stint. In 2009, Wise won the Johnny Bench Award
, an award given out to the nation's best college catcher
. He was drafted by the Dodgers in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
and started his professional career in their organization with the rookie-league Ogden Raptors
. Wise currently plays for the Class-A Great Lakes Loons
.
in Apopka, Florida
. He played catcher
, pitcher
, and infielder
. In all of his four years at Apopka, Wise lettered in baseball. Wise also played linebacker
on the school's football
team. In all of his four seasons at Apopka, the baseball team won the district championship. Wise was named the Most Valuable Player
of the Florida State All-Star Game. Along with his father Sonny Wise, J. T. Wise was inducted into the Metro Conference Hall of Fame. Wise was also an honor roll
student in the classroom.
season at Louisiana State University
, Wise started 58 of his 59 games played
. He batted
.299 with 66 hits
, 13 doubles
, 11 home runs, and 40 runs batted in (RBIs). Wise was awarded the Freshman of the Week Award on March 13, 2006. After the season, he was named to the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference
team and the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American team. In his sophomore season, Wise batted .234 with 32 hits, nine doubles, three triples
, two home runs, and 19 RBIs in 43 games played. During the summer of 2007, he played for the Harwich Mariners
of the Cape Cod League. With the Mariners, he batted .261 with 16 RBIs in 29 games played. In the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
, Wise was selected in the 45 round by the Oakland Athletics
, however, he did not sign.
. He later stated that he transferred to Oklahoma so that he would get a chance to play catcher more often then he was at Louisiana. In his junior
season, Wise played catcher and third base
. On the season, Wise batted .278 with 66 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 49 RBIs in 60 games. In 2009, his senior
and final season in college baseball, Wise played 61 games with the Oklahoma Sooners
. He batted .359 with 75 hits, 13 doubles, 17 home runs, and 62 RBIs. On May 19, 2009, it was announced that Wise was named the Big 12 Player of the Year. Wise was also named to the first-team All-Big 10, second team All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
, first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
, and was a semi-finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
. He also won the Johnny Bench Award
, an award given to the best catcher in college baseball.
in the fifth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
. Logan White, the assistant general manager
for the Dodgers, stated that Wise was drafted so early because "...how he swings his bat and goes about the game, and he's hard-nosed, and I'd love to get him in the system." In his first season in professional baseball, 2009, Wise played for the rookie-level Ogden Raptors
. He batted
.338 in 26 runs
, 49 hits
, nine doubles
, eight home runs, and 23 runs batted in (RBIs) in 39 games played
. On the defensive side, Wise played 24 games at the catcher
position and committed four errors
in 222 total chances
. Wise played the 2010 season with the Class-A Great Lakes Loons
of the Midwest League
and was promoted to the Advanced Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
in 2011. With the Quakes he hit .286 in 97 games with 17 home runs and 73 RBI.
to Sonny and Mary Wise. J. T. Wise has one older brother, Nicky; and one older sister, Stacy. Wise's father, Sonny, was his baseball coach at Apopka High School
. Wise is the great-nephew of former New York Yankees
second baseman
and 1960 World Series
MVP Bobby Richardson
.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
) is a professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player in the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
organization. He bats and throws right-handed and primarily plays the catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
position. Wise attended Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
and later the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
. At both, Wise played baseball and won multiple accolades over his four year combined stint. In 2009, Wise won the Johnny Bench Award
Johnny Bench Award
The Johnny Bench Award was created in 2000 by to honor college baseball's top catcher. The award is the brain child of Wichitan Mike Gehrer who has coached and administrated in the Wichita area at the high school level for many years. He was a college catcher himself and is one of the most forward...
, an award given out to the nation's best college catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. He was drafted by the Dodgers in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
and started his professional career in their organization with the rookie-league Ogden Raptors
Ogden Raptors
The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
. Wise currently plays for the Class-A Great Lakes Loons
Great Lakes Loons
The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
.
High school
Wise attended Apopka High SchoolApopka High School
Apopka High School is a high school located in Apopka in northwest Orange County, Florida, United States. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.The school serves grades 9 through 12...
in Apopka, Florida
Apopka, Florida
Apopka is a city located in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,969 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2006, the city grew to 53,563. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Apopka is an Indian word for “Potato...
. He played catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
, pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, and infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. In all of his four years at Apopka, Wise lettered in baseball. Wise also played linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
on the school's football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team. In all of his four seasons at Apopka, the baseball team won the district championship. Wise was named the Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
of the Florida State All-Star Game. Along with his father Sonny Wise, J. T. Wise was inducted into the Metro Conference Hall of Fame. Wise was also an honor roll
Honor Roll
Honor Roll may refer to: HIGH GRADE STUDENT* Grade Point Average over 3.5* A list of honors students.* A similar academic honor, such as a Dean's List.* Honor Rolls of Baseball* Honour Roll Clasp of the Army – A decoration of Nazi Germany...
student in the classroom.
Louisiana State University
During his freshmanFreshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
season at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, Wise started 58 of his 59 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. He batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.299 with 66 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 13 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 11 home runs, and 40 runs batted in (RBIs). Wise was awarded the Freshman of the Week Award on March 13, 2006. After the season, he was named to the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
team and the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American team. In his sophomore season, Wise batted .234 with 32 hits, nine doubles, three triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, two home runs, and 19 RBIs in 43 games played. During the summer of 2007, he played for the Harwich Mariners
Harwich Mariners
The Harwich Mariners are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Harwich, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Eastern Division. Harwich currently plays its home games at Whitehouse Field in the historic village of Harwich Center...
of the Cape Cod League. With the Mariners, he batted .261 with 16 RBIs in 29 games played. In the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
, Wise was selected in the 45 round by the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, however, he did not sign.
University of Oklahoma
Wise transferred from Louisiana State University to the University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
. He later stated that he transferred to Oklahoma so that he would get a chance to play catcher more often then he was at Louisiana. In his junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
season, Wise played catcher and third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
. On the season, Wise batted .278 with 66 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 49 RBIs in 60 games. In 2009, his senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
and final season in college baseball, Wise played 61 games with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners
The University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,...
. He batted .359 with 75 hits, 13 doubles, 17 home runs, and 62 RBIs. On May 19, 2009, it was announced that Wise was named the Big 12 Player of the Year. Wise was also named to the first-team All-Big 10, second team All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper is a publication based in Arizona that considers itself the "voice of amateur baseball" It is most noted for handing out the following awards: Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year, Collegiate Baseball Coach of the Year, and Collegiate Baseball...
, first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association is an association of baseball writers, broadcasters, and publicists in the United States...
, and was a semi-finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
. He also won the Johnny Bench Award
Johnny Bench Award
The Johnny Bench Award was created in 2000 by to honor college baseball's top catcher. The award is the brain child of Wichitan Mike Gehrer who has coached and administrated in the Wichita area at the high school level for many years. He was a college catcher himself and is one of the most forward...
, an award given to the best catcher in college baseball.
Professional career
Wise was selected by the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in the fifth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
. Logan White, the assistant general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
for the Dodgers, stated that Wise was drafted so early because "...how he swings his bat and goes about the game, and he's hard-nosed, and I'd love to get him in the system." In his first season in professional baseball, 2009, Wise played for the rookie-level Ogden Raptors
Ogden Raptors
The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
. He batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.338 in 26 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 49 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, nine doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, eight home runs, and 23 runs batted in (RBIs) in 39 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. On the defensive side, Wise played 24 games at the catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
position and committed four errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 222 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
. Wise played the 2010 season with the Class-A Great Lakes Loons
Great Lakes Loons
The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
and was promoted to the Advanced Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
in 2011. With the Quakes he hit .286 in 97 games with 17 home runs and 73 RBI.
Personal
Wise was born on June 2, 1986 in Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
to Sonny and Mary Wise. J. T. Wise has one older brother, Nicky; and one older sister, Stacy. Wise's father, Sonny, was his baseball coach at Apopka High School
Apopka High School
Apopka High School is a high school located in Apopka in northwest Orange County, Florida, United States. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.The school serves grades 9 through 12...
. Wise is the great-nephew of former New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and 1960 World Series
1960 World Series
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League from October 5 to October 13, 1960...
MVP Bobby Richardson
Bobby Richardson
Robert Clinton "Bobby" Richardson is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from through . Batting and throwing right-handed, he was a superb defensive infielder, as well as something of a clutch hitter, who played no small role in the Yankee baseball...
.
External links
- Minor league stats & bio from Minor League Baseball