Dual Citizen Canadian-Italian Catcher/OF & BBJO Media Director Seeking Club for 2023 Summer
Name: Jake MacDonald
Height: 185cm
Weight: 92kg
DOB: April 1, 1997
Date Available: March 25, 2023
Bats: R
Throws: R
Positions: OF, C
Positions (alt): Youth Coach, 1B
College: Texas A&M University - Texarkana
Personal
EU Passport Situation: Granted Italian citizenship on February 2, 2023 & applied for Italian Passport. Documents and identity have been verified, currently waiting to receive passport in the mail. Passport arrival date expected by May 15, 2023 per Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, Canada.
Jake is the definition of an overseas veteran. With 5 seasons under his belt across 4 countries & 3 continents, Jake 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 2022-23, he also solidified himself as a legitimate base stealer finishing with 14 SBs in 36 games.
He describes himself as “a natural leader and passionate teammate. I will do everything in power to make myself and those around me better.”
In addition, Jake is 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)
- Team Captain
- In Sophomore Season, batted .317 with a .403 OBP and .425 SLG
- Had 38 Hits and 15 BBs in 34 games
- 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
- Hit 3 HRs & 15 RBIs
- In 2021, played for Solingen in the German first Bundesliga
- In 12 games with Solingen, hit .333 with a 1.036 OPS
- Hit 3 HRs, 5 2Bs & 9 RBIs
- 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
- Regular Season League Leader in Quality At-Bats (77)
- Top 10 League Leaders: Hits (2nd), RBIs (3rd) & SBs (T-2nd)
- Best Record in Regular Season, Second Place League Finals
- 259.1 Innings Caught Regular & Postseason
Coaching
Jake has been a fitness instructor for youth teams, a graduate assistant at the junior-college level, a program leader in a school district, an instructor at indoor baseball camps, and head coach of a 15-and-under team. He is currently an instructor at RBI Australia, an indoor facility located just outside of Sydney & with the Macarthur Orioles U18s.
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 |
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 |