Jason Hart (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Jason Wyatt Hart is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
and first baseman
who played for the Texas Rangers
in .
and then Southwest Missouri State University before playing professional baseball
.
Hart was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves
in the 20th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft
; however, he did not sign. After being drafted by the Oakland Athletics
in the fifth round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
, he did sign. He was a 2nd-team college All-American and a Missouri Valley Conference
All-Star in .
, hitting
.258 with 20 home run
s and 69 RBI
with them. He led or tied for the Northwest League
lead in games played, home runs and RBI. He earned a trip to the All-Star game and the Northwest League MVP Award that season.
Playing for the Modesto A's in , Hart hit .305 with 19 home runs, 48 doubles
and 123 RBI in 550 at-bats. Once again, he topped his league (the California League
) in multiple categories, those being: at-bats, doubles and RBI.
In , Hart had another outstanding season. He spent most of the season with the Double-A Midland Rockhounds
, hitting .326 with 44 doubles, 30 home runs and 121 RBI for them. He led the Texas League
in at-bats, hits
, and RBI. Although he spent most of the year with the Rockhounds, he also played five games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats
, hitting .278 with one home run, one double and four RBI in 18 at-bats. Overall, he hit .324 with 45 doubles, 31 home runs and 125 RBI. He was a Baseball America All-Star, a Double-A All-Star and a Texas League All-Star. Indeed, he was developing into a minor league star.
According to Baseball America
, Hart was ranked the 59th best prospect in baseball and the second best prospect in the Athletics organization in . Despite that, he slumped that year while playing for the River Cats. In 494 at-bats, he hit .247 with 19 home runs and 75 RBI.
On January 14, , Hart was traded with Gerald Laird
, Ryan Ludwick
, and Mario Ramos
to the Rangers for Carlos Pena
and Mike Venafro
. Although he slumped mightily in 2001, Baseball America still named him the 10th best prospect in the Rangers organization in 2002.
Indeed, he did show some improvement in 2002, hitting .263 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI for the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
. He earned a call-up to the big leagues that season, and on August 18 he made his debut, at the age of 24. Facing the Toronto Blue Jays
, he appeared as a pinch hitter
for Mike Lamb
in his first plate appearance and drew a walk
. Overall, Hart would appear in 10 games, hitting .267 with three of his four hits being doubles. He appeared in his final big league game on September 29 of that season.
Although he did not play in the big leagues after 2002, he stuck around in the minors until . In , he again played for Oklahoma, hitting .252 with 21 home runs and 82 RBI.
In , Hart was injured the entire season and did not play. He did, however, play for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders
in . With them, he hit .246 with 21 home runs and 77 RBI. On October 15, he was granted free agency
. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins
on December 14.
Hart began the 2006 season with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings
. In 30 games with them, he hit .225 with four home runs and eight RBI. On June 1, he was sent back to the Rangers as part of a conditional deal. He finished the season with Oklahoma, hitting .254 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI. Combined, Hart hit .248 with 18 home runs and 53 RBI in his final professional season.
In total, Hart hit .271 with 174 home runs, 243 doubles, and 687 RBI in eight minor league seasons.
in the Rangers organization. On December 30, 2008, he was named the hitting coach for Low-A Spokane
. On December 3, 2009, Hart was named the hitting coach for the Hickory Crawdads
. Hart was featured as the first base coach giving signals to a baserunner in ESPN commercial in July, 2010.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
who played for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in .
High school and college
Standing at 6'4" and weighing 240 pounds, Hart attended Fair Grove High SchoolFair Grove High School
Fair Grove High School is a public high school serving 367 students from grades 9-12 located in Fair Grove, Missouri. The current principal is Mike Bell and the Assistant Principal is Chris Stallings...
and then Southwest Missouri State University before playing professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
.
Hart was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 20th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft
1995 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign-Background:Outfielder Darin Erstad of the University of Nebraska was the first pick in the 1995 Rule 4 Draft. Erstad compiled a career .356 average in three seasons with the...
; however, he did not sign. After being drafted 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....
in the fifth round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
, he did sign. He was a 2nd-team college All-American and a Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
All-Star in .
Professional career
He began his professional career in 1998 with the Southern Oregon TimberjacksSouthern Oregon Timberjacks
The Southern Oregon Timberjacks were a minor league baseball team based in Medford, Oregon. The team played in the short-season single-A Northwest League from 1979 to 1999 and were an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics...
, hitting
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 :...
.258 with 20 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 69 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
with them. He led or tied for the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
lead in games played, home runs and RBI. He earned a trip to the All-Star game and the Northwest League MVP Award that season.
Playing for the Modesto A's in , Hart hit .305 with 19 home runs, 48 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....
and 123 RBI in 550 at-bats. Once again, he topped his league (the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
) in multiple categories, those being: at-bats, doubles and RBI.
In , Hart had another outstanding season. He spent most of the season with the Double-A Midland Rockhounds
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
, hitting .326 with 44 doubles, 30 home runs and 121 RBI for them. He led the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in at-bats, 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....
, and RBI. Although he spent most of the year with the Rockhounds, he also played five games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
, hitting .278 with one home run, one double and four RBI in 18 at-bats. Overall, he hit .324 with 45 doubles, 31 home runs and 125 RBI. He was a Baseball America All-Star, a Double-A All-Star and a Texas League All-Star. Indeed, he was developing into a minor league star.
According to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, Hart was ranked the 59th best prospect in baseball and the second best prospect in the Athletics organization in . Despite that, he slumped that year while playing for the River Cats. In 494 at-bats, he hit .247 with 19 home runs and 75 RBI.
On January 14, , Hart was traded with Gerald Laird
Gerald Laird
Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
, Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
, and Mario Ramos
Mario Ramos
Mario Martin Ramos is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Ramos was born in Aurora, Illinois. He went to Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, Texas, where he also resides today. He was a 5'11", 180-pound pitcher. Before being drafted, Ramos attended Rice University.In 1996, the Kansas City...
to the Rangers for Carlos Pena
Carlos Peña
Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican professional baseball left-handed first baseman. He played previously with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Although he was born in Santo Domingo and his family is from San Francisco de Macorís,...
and Mike Venafro
Mike Venafro
Michael Robert Venafro is a retired Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.Venafro is an alumnus of James Madison University...
. Although he slumped mightily in 2001, Baseball America still named him the 10th best prospect in the Rangers organization in 2002.
Indeed, he did show some improvement in 2002, hitting .263 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI for the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
. He earned a call-up to the big leagues that season, and on August 18 he made his debut, at the age of 24. Facing the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, he appeared as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for Mike Lamb
Mike Lamb
Michael Robert Lamb is an American professional baseball Utility Player for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He can play the infield but shortstop, corner outfield and catcher...
in his first plate appearance and drew a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
. Overall, Hart would appear in 10 games, hitting .267 with three of his four hits being doubles. He appeared in his final big league game on September 29 of that season.
Although he did not play in the big leagues after 2002, he stuck around in the minors until . In , he again played for Oklahoma, hitting .252 with 21 home runs and 82 RBI.
In , Hart was injured the entire season and did not play. He did, however, play for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders
Frisco RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are currently the Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball club. The team plays in the Texas League, assigned to the South Division. Prior to 2003, the franchise was based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and were known as the Shreveport Captains...
in . With them, he hit .246 with 21 home runs and 77 RBI. On October 15, he was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on December 14.
Hart began the 2006 season with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. In 30 games with them, he hit .225 with four home runs and eight RBI. On June 1, he was sent back to the Rangers as part of a conditional deal. He finished the season with Oklahoma, hitting .254 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI. Combined, Hart hit .248 with 18 home runs and 53 RBI in his final professional season.
In total, Hart hit .271 with 174 home runs, 243 doubles, and 687 RBI in eight minor league seasons.
Coaching career
In , Hart assisted the Single-A Clinton LumberKingsClinton LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings are a Midwest League Class A minor league baseball team based in Clinton, Iowa, USA, affiliated with the Seattle Mariners.-History:Clinton joined the Midwest League in 1954 and is the oldest franchise in the league...
in the Rangers organization. On December 30, 2008, he was named the hitting coach for Low-A Spokane
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
. On December 3, 2009, Hart was named the hitting coach for the Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
. Hart was featured as the first base coach giving signals to a baserunner in ESPN commercial in July, 2010.