John Jaso

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #13 prospect in 2009
  After earning a spot on Baseball America's year-end Double-A all-star team in 2007, Jaso returned to Montgomery last spring and remained there until mid-July. After finishing second in the Southern League with a .316 average the previous year, he uncharacteristically struggled with the bat at times in the first two months before hitting .298 the rest of the way, including six weeks in Triple-A and his first big league callup. Hitting has been Jaso's calling card despite his rather unconventional swing. He has excellent plate discipline and enough pop to hit 15 homers on an annual basis in the majors. The knock on Jaso early in his career was his inability to stay healthy, but he has overcome a history of shoulder injuries to set career highs in games in each of the last two seasons. His arm strength continues to rank a tick below average and he threw out just 25 percent of basestealers in 2008, though he continues to show better footwork and shorter arm action. His ability to block balls in the dirt also has improved, making him more than serviceable behind the dish. He's no speedster, but he's more athletic and faster than most catchers. A lefthanded-hitting, offensive-minded backstop, Jaso is a leading candidate to serve as Dioner Navarro's backup in Tampa Bay this year.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #13 prospect in 2008
  The Rays have known for a while that Jaso could be a special player if he can stay healthy. He achieved that feat in 2007 and earned a spot on Baseball America's year-end Double-A all-star team. He showed his hitting ability by ranking fourth in Double-A and second in the Southern League with a .316 average. A much-desired lefthanded-hitting catcher, Jaso also has some pop. His swing is far from textbook and could even be described as ugly, but he makes it work with his outstanding plate discipline and willingness to battle every time he steps in the box. Jaso's long-term potential centers on whether he can hold up behind the plate. While shoulder ailments have limited his development, he's more than adequate defensively. His arm strength is a tick below-average, especially when he gets long in his release, but he did throw out 35 percent of basestealers last season. He moves well behind the plate and does a solid job of blocking balls and calling a game. He's a good athlete for a catcher and runs better than most, though his speed is below-average. Expected to move up to Triple-A in 2008 after being added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, Jaso could push Dioner Navarro in Tampa Bay if he can stay in the lineup on a regular basis.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #18 prospect in 2007
  Jaso has the bat and overall ability to becoming a starting big league catcher, but he'll have to prove he can stay healthy first. Rotator-cuff problems and subsequent arthroscopic surgery limited him to 92 games in 2005, with most of those coming as a DH. He didn't go behind the plate in 2006 until mid-June, and even then he didn't catch in consecutive games. The Devil Rays are being cautious with Jaso because of his upside. He makes solid contact, drives the ball to all fields and could hit 20-plus homers annually. When healthy, he has above-average arm strength with good accuracy, but he threw out just 21 percent of basestealers while at less than 100 percent last year. He has excellent mobility and agility and is adept at blocking balls in the dirt, though his game-calling remains undeveloped due in part to playing time lost to injuries. Tampa Bay hopes he can put in a healthy season in Double-A this year.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #15 prospect in 2006
  Some members of the Tampa Bay scouting department predicted a breakout year for Jaso in 2005, and he did just that despite battling a rotator-cuff problems. He made just one catching appearance during the last two months of the season and didn't play after Aug. 7 because he was limited by his shoulder. After arthroscopic surgery, he's expected to be at full strength for spring training. An excellent contact hitter with a good approach from the left side, Jaso could produce 25-plus homers annually at higher levels. His body is maturing and adding strength, turning some of his doubles into homers last year. He also drove the ball with more backspin and showed the ability to take pitches to the opposite field. Jaso is a good low-ball hitter. His primary weakness is a tendency to roll his wrists on breaking balls. Midwest League observers didn't get to see enough of Jaso behind the plate to know if he could stay behind the plate, but the Devil Rays say he has the catch-and-throw skills to make it work. He's more athletic and has more speed and agility than most catchers, and even with a bad shoulder he threw out 36 percent of basestealers. He could have an even bigger year in the hitter-friendly high Class A California League in 2006.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #30 prospect in 2005
  Drafted out of the Pacific Coast Conference, the same juco circuit that produced Fernando Cortez, Jaso could emerge as the top catching prospect in the organization in a hurry. He returned to Hudson Valley for his second pro season and displayed steady improvement in all phases of his game. Jaso raised his batting average 75 points and also drove balls with more frequency. The Devil Rays believe he'll develop into an above-average hitter and produce more power as his body fills out. He's an excellent low-ball hitter and uses the whole field. Jaso's catch-and-throw skills also got noticeably better, as did his ability to work with pitchers. He's an excellent athlete for a catcher, and he also saw time at first base as well as one game at shortstop. Jaso could have a breakout year in low Class A in 2005.