Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MIN | RHP | 36 | 35 |
Grades Update: Apr 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | SL | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 60/50 |
Apr 2021 Report
Evaluator: Trevor Hooth
Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 Round 3
RuleV: Eligible
Physical Description: Lean, high waisted frame with sloping shoulders. No projection left on the frame.
Delivery & Mechanics: Standard 3/4 delivery. Low effort, repeatable mechanics. Starts facing offset from the plate towards the third base side. Hands are chest high and raise up to his head as his leg come up. Knee reaches chest height at the peak of the balance point. Stays tall as he extends out. Arm can be late during this process. Good separation. Finishes closed off towards the first base side.
Fastball: 90-92. There is some sink to the fastball, but not much which makes this an easy pitch for hitters to barrel up. When sequenced well it does generate a healthy amount of weak contact. He commands the pitch well at the knees. Grade: 40
Slider: 82-83. Gyro movement. This is his best pitch and most consistent whiff creator. It plays well moving away from righties. He'll use it in any count, but every so often has a tendency to leave it in a spot where hitters can barrel it up. Between his usage and ability to throw it to the right spot, it's a solid average offering. Grade: 50
Changeup: 83-85. Armside fade at the bottom of the zone. The velo separation and armside fade make this a decent groundball weapon. It does garner the occasional swing and miss, especially down in the zone. But for the most part it's role is in creating weak contact. Likes to work this pitch armside to lefties and have it dive away. Grade: 45
Control and Command: All three pitches are commanded well. He rarely will miss a spot by much, and he can throw any of them in any count. When he does miss, it's generally up in the zone, which can be very dangerous. Without electric stuff, Jax has to live on his command and he has been able to so far, posting excellent walk numbers at the higher levels of the minors. Control: 60 | Command: 50
Overall: Jax doesn't have overpowering stuff, which means he has to live on his command. It's served him well so far. His slider is a good pitch that could be a better weapon if there was something to compliment it. His velo isn't bad, but mixed with movement it makes him a pitch to contact type pitcher. That said, he shows a feel to sequence that creates plenty of weak contact. He is a rotation-type arm that will fill up the zone and can be an innings eater.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Low
