Overseas Veteran Catcher With Italian Passport Seeking Club for 2024 Summer
Name: Jake MacDonald
Height: 185cm
Weight: 92kg
DOB: April 1, 1997
Date Available: March 18, 2024
Bats: R
Throws: R
Positions: C
Positions (alt): Youth Coach, OF
College: Texas A&M University - Texarkana
Personal
Jake is the definition of an overseas veteran. With 7 seasons under his belt across 6 countries & 3 continents, he has proved that he can succeed anywhere. As a ballplayer, he is a very hard-working player who has a knack for getting on base. He is versatile defensively, as he can catch or play either of the corner outfield positions. In addition to his skills as a player, Jake is a highly qualified and experienced coach with a passion for working with young players.
He describes himself as “a natural leader and passionate teammate. I will do everything in power to make myself and those around me better.”
Jake is also the social media manager for Baseball Jobs Overseas and has photography and videography experience. He says that “Part of my commitment to [a] club will not only be as a player and coach, but [to] assist [the] club in building [its] social media, providing content such as drone aerial footage, interviews, professional quality photos and vlogs, among other things.”
Wayne Ough, Solingen Alligators’ Head Coach, says, “We picked up Jake midway during the season, and it seemed like we had had [him] for years. [He is] one of the most motivated players I’ve had as a manager [and has] a professional work ethic. He hit .310 and was unlucky not to hit .340-.350.”
Cavanagh Whitely, former head coach at Douglas College, says, “Jake played for me for two years and came in as an average player with average tools. Due to his dedication to the weight room and training schedule, he became an NWAC 2nd-team all-star and our team captain in his sophomore year. He is a true leader and a player I would recommend to any organization.”
Career Highlights
- All-Conference Outfielder at Douglas College (Canada)
- Batted .317 with a .403 OBP and .425 SLG
- Voted Second-Team All-Star in Conference
- Played at Texas A&M University – Texarkana, an NAIA school in the U.S.
- In 2019, posted a .412 OBP & .412 SLG
- In 2020, played with Solingen in the German first Bundesliga
- In 10 games with Solingen, batted .300 with a 1.028 OPS
- In 2021, played for Solingen in the German first Bundesliga
- In 12 games with Solingen, hit .333 with a 1.036 OPS
- In 2022, played for Eagles Praha in the Czech Extraliga
- Czech Extraliga All-Star Starter (RF)
- In 40 games with Eagles, hit .309 with a .855 OPS & 32 RBI
- Finished in Top 10 League Leaders: RBIs (4th) & 2Bs (7th)
- In 2022-23, played for the Macarthur Orioles in the NSW 1st Grade State League, Australia
- In 36 games, hit .311 with a .417 OBP & 14 Stolen Bases
- Top 10 League Leaders: Hits (2nd), RBIs (3rd) & SBs (T-2nd)
- 259.1 Innings Caught Regular & Postseason
Coaching
Jake has strong coaching résumé with experience in a variety of roles, including as: hitting & catching instructor with Baseball BC (CAN) & RBI Australia, graduate assistant at Douglas College (NCJAA) & 15U head coach. He has a passion for the game and prides himself on helping the next generation of ball players around the world.
Cavanagh Whitely says, “[Jake’s] intention is to become a coach after playing, and he is working through his developmental levels to become the best he can be. Jake is one of those players who would well represent himself, his former coaches, and your organization.”
Overseas Goals
Jake has a passion for baseball and traveling, and he would be able to combine the two through an overseas opportunity. He says he is “passionate about playing, and I enjoy leading kids and spreading my knowledge throughout the community I play in.”
Articles/Awards:
Playing Experience
Coaching Experience
| YEAR | ROLE | ORGANIZATION | LEAGUE/DIVISION | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Fitness Instructor | Game Ready Fitness | Fitness Instruction | Team-based fitness programs for baseball, football & volleyball teams ages 8-15 |
| 2019 | Grad Assistant | Douglas College | Northwest Athletic Conference (JUCO) | Bench & hitting coach for former college program |
| 2019 | Program Leader | Washington Kids Foundation | Surrey School District | Physical literacy & baseball workshop leader, kids ages 6-12 |
| 2017-2021 | Baseball Winter Program Instructor | White Rock Baseball | Little League Canada | Instructor of indoor baseball camps for ages 6-16 |
| 2022-23 | Lesson Instructor | RBI Academy | Baseball NSW | Hitting & catching private lesson instructor, holiday camp organizer & coach |
| 2020-Current | Private Lesson Instructor | Overseas Jake Baseball | Self-Employed | Hitting & catching lessons for ages 10-18 |
Stats
Pro/Overseas Batting
| Years | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Solingen Alligators | 10 | 30 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 0 | .300 | .361 | .667 |
| 2021 | Solingen Alligators | 12 | 48 | 11 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | .333 | .411 | .625 |
| 2021 | Barrie Baycats | 27 | 81 | 18 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 25 | 6 | 0 | .259 | .330 | .346 |
| 2022 | Eagles Praha | 40 | 139 | 26 | 43 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 32 | 15 | 33 | 7 | 2 | .309 | .380 | .475 |
| 2022-23 | Macarthur Orioles | 36 | 135 | 31 | 42 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 14 | 3 | .311 | .417 | .363 |
| 2023 (In Progress) | Sénart Templiers | 20 | 74 | 14 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 3 | .270 | .378 | .324 |
College/Amateur Batting
| Years | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Douglas College | 24 | 75 | 9 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 1 | .240 | .321 | .240 |
| 2018 | Douglas College | 34 | 120 | 25 | 38 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 3 | 2 | .317 | .403 | .425 |
| 2019 | Texas A&M - Texarkana | 44 | 97 | 17 | 25 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 15 | 22 | 2 | 1 | .258 | .412 | .412 |
| 2019 | Edmonton Prospects | 32 | 97 | 12 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 21 | 2 | 0 | .247 | .321 | .384 |
Testimonials
These Testimonials Have Been Verified
It would be my pleasure to share some more info on Jake Macdonald. I'm the former head coach of Douglas College here in Vancouver, BC, Canada (the past ten years). We play in the highly competitive NWAC (US based JUCO league). Jake played for me for two years here and came in as an average player with average tools. Due only to his dedication to the weight room and training schedule, he became an NWAC 2nd team allstar and the captain of our team in his sophomore year. He transferred to Texas A&M – Texarcana for his junior year but has returned to Canada as school was too expensive and he wanted a better education.
He can catch and play in the OF (best suited in LF). He is a true leader and a player that I would recommend to any organization due to his loyalty and work ethic alone. He hit cleanup for us and led the team in 2Bs and RBIs for the season. Our team came just one game away from going to the NWAC Championships in 2018. He also helped coach all our offseason clinics with the local little league and other organizations around the lower mainland. His intention is to become a coach after playing and is working through his developmental levels to become the best coach he can be.
Jake is one of those players that would represent himself, his former coaches, and your organization well. He is one of the most upstanding players/persons that I’ve come across in my 20+ years coaching at the college level.
Jake is a versatile player who can play OF/C and 1B. Jake brings leadership qualities to a team and mature approach to preparation. Jake was a leader for our baseball club last summer and provided a level of trust for our coaching staff with his even keeled demeanour. Jake is a future coach in the making. Jake understands in-game situations as well as carrying an attitude that lends itself to winning environments. Jake was a pleasure to have on our roster.
We picked up Jake just midway during the season and it seemed like we have had Jake on our team for years. One of the most motivated players I’ve had as a manager with a professional work ethic .
Jake had a plan on what he wanted to work on during the week with our practices. Many times I would arrive early to see Jake already at the field doing conditioning or doing drills off the tee. As we had Jake splitting time catching and playing outfield he would prepare for both roles during the week and always have a willingness to learn each practice and get better .
On the field he hit .310 (a hard .310) was unlucky not to hit .340-.350. With a few games lining out to fielders or guys just making great plays to rob him.
I would say Jake is a gap to gap guy with some pop. As he hit 3hrs during a shortened season of just 10 games with 15 RBI’s.
In the field he had No errors and only 3 SBA against him as a catcher .
I would highly recommend Jake to any team, a true team guy and big game player . Off the field he was staying with a host family that absolutely loved him staying there . They always had great things to say about Jake and I never had a problem off the field with him .
A true class act and if we can’t retain Jake for next year then the next team to pick him up will be very lucky.
Additional Info
- Overseas goals: Develop youth programs, Coach at the National Team level & Experience new cultures
Playing Preferences: Europe (Summer), Canada (Summer)
Living preferences: Living on my own, Living with teammates with my own private bedroom
Return home: I can stay as long as it takes to complete a season
Prior engagements: No
Recent injuries/illnesses: No
Traveling with a companion: No