Jake Hager is a shortstop in the Tampa Bay Rays Organization. Hager was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft. Hager spent his 2012 season with LoA Bowling Green where he posted really good numbers. Hager had an .281 batting average, 124 hits, 10 HomeRun's, 72 RBI's with a .345 OBP. Baseball America has Hager ranked as the Rays #18 prospect.
The 19 year old shortstop should start the 2013 season off in HiA Charlotte and with the numbers he has put up in his short pro career and in High School. Don't be surprised if Hager ends the season in AA Montgomery or higher.
Baseball America's Grade: 50
Recently Jake took some time to answer some questions for us here at the blog.
Q1) At what age did you start playing baseball?
A: My dad put me on the tee ball team and loved the game ever since.
Q2) Besides baseball, what other sport do keep up with regularly?
A: I am a huge basketball fan and played the game my whole life as well. I am also really into golf. I love getting out on the course and getting in a nice round of golf
Q3) Was baseball always your favorite sport or was there another sport you preferred?
A: Baseball has always been my favorite sport. It is my passion. It has always been my dream.
Q4) You were drafted by the Rays in 2011, what was the process like and where were you when you found out?
A: The process was awesome... being able to have all the scouts from each team come through the house and talk to you was a lot of fun, and then on draft day it was the most exciting day of my life. I was at my house with all my buddies watching the draft and the Rays called saying they were going to take me at 31, but then they called me at the 30th pick saying they were going to take me at 32 since they took Mikie Mahtook at 31... so once Bud Selig called my name it was the greatest feeling of my life.
Q5) You were drafted out of High School, what colleges recruited you and if you had not signed Tampa what college would you have attended?
A: I had my 3 colleges narrowed down to ASU, Oregon, and Cal State Fullerton. I ended up signing with ASU. So if I would have went to college i would have been a Sun Devil.
Q6) You put up pretty impressive numbers in 2012. What was one thing you really worked hard on this spring?
A: The most important thing I have done this off season was gain weight. I wanted to get at the right size for this season and to get stronger. I have been working out a lot and eating a lot to get where I want to be, and I've also just been swinging a lot and doing a lot of sprints.
Q7) Who was your favorite player growing up?
A: Cal Ripken Jr. was my favorite player growing up. I loved watching him play.
Q8) Do you have any personal goals for this season?
A: My main goal is just to stay focused and don't change who I am and keep playing the way I know how to play.
Q9) When your not playing ball, what could a fan find you doing?
A: Probably just hanging out with my friends, going to movies, and probably some rebel basketball games.
Q10) Any suggestions for the youth of today that have the dream of playing proffesional baseball?
A: To always work hard and don't ever let someone say you cant do it. Believe in yourself.
We would like thank Jake for his time to answer our questions and we wish him the best of luck in his young profesional career! Also, be sure to go follow him on Twitter @JakeHager1
The 19 year old shortstop should start the 2013 season off in HiA Charlotte and with the numbers he has put up in his short pro career and in High School. Don't be surprised if Hager ends the season in AA Montgomery or higher.
Baseball America's Grade: 50
Recently Jake took some time to answer some questions for us here at the blog.
Q1) At what age did you start playing baseball?
A: My dad put me on the tee ball team and loved the game ever since.
Q2) Besides baseball, what other sport do keep up with regularly?
A: I am a huge basketball fan and played the game my whole life as well. I am also really into golf. I love getting out on the course and getting in a nice round of golf
Q3) Was baseball always your favorite sport or was there another sport you preferred?
A: Baseball has always been my favorite sport. It is my passion. It has always been my dream.
Q4) You were drafted by the Rays in 2011, what was the process like and where were you when you found out?
A: The process was awesome... being able to have all the scouts from each team come through the house and talk to you was a lot of fun, and then on draft day it was the most exciting day of my life. I was at my house with all my buddies watching the draft and the Rays called saying they were going to take me at 31, but then they called me at the 30th pick saying they were going to take me at 32 since they took Mikie Mahtook at 31... so once Bud Selig called my name it was the greatest feeling of my life.
Q5) You were drafted out of High School, what colleges recruited you and if you had not signed Tampa what college would you have attended?
A: I had my 3 colleges narrowed down to ASU, Oregon, and Cal State Fullerton. I ended up signing with ASU. So if I would have went to college i would have been a Sun Devil.
Q6) You put up pretty impressive numbers in 2012. What was one thing you really worked hard on this spring?
A: The most important thing I have done this off season was gain weight. I wanted to get at the right size for this season and to get stronger. I have been working out a lot and eating a lot to get where I want to be, and I've also just been swinging a lot and doing a lot of sprints.
Q7) Who was your favorite player growing up?
A: Cal Ripken Jr. was my favorite player growing up. I loved watching him play.
Q8) Do you have any personal goals for this season?
A: My main goal is just to stay focused and don't change who I am and keep playing the way I know how to play.
Q9) When your not playing ball, what could a fan find you doing?
A: Probably just hanging out with my friends, going to movies, and probably some rebel basketball games.
Q10) Any suggestions for the youth of today that have the dream of playing proffesional baseball?
A: To always work hard and don't ever let someone say you cant do it. Believe in yourself.
We would like thank Jake for his time to answer our questions and we wish him the best of luck in his young profesional career! Also, be sure to go follow him on Twitter @JakeHager1