Griffin Jax Named Air Force Male Athlete of the Year
4/2/2019 1:07:00 PM | Baseball
The former Falcon pitcher is currently in the Minnesota Twins minor league system
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas - Former Air Force Academy baseball player 2nd Lt. Griffin Jax has been named the United States Air Force's 2018 Male Athlete of the Year, announced Monday, April 1. Jax, an acquisitions officer who is in the World Class Athlete Program, is currently in the Minnesota Twins minor league system, and was recently assigned to Class Double A to play for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
"Being selected is a huge honor. I was shocked after hearing the incredible stories of the Airmen nominated alongside me," Jax said. "To be even considered was a blessing, but I was greatly honored and humbled to have been selected, and will continue to shine a positive light on the military through sport."
As a WCAP athlete, Jax trains full time for the 2020 Olympics and plays in the Twins system. He is entering his fourth season of professional baseball, and has already collected an impressive amount of accolades.
Jax had a standout year for the Class A Advanced Fort Myers Miracle in 2018. The righty appeared in 15 games, making 14 starts as part of the rotation. In 87.2 innings pitched, Jax tallied a 3.70 ERA with three wins and 66 strikeouts, while only walking 15 batters. His efforts helped the Miracle to a Florida State League South Division title, and a spot in the FSL Championship Series.
With his efforts there, Jax was assigned to the Arizona Fall League this past offseason, which is for MLB prospects that are viewed as the top players in their respective organizations. Jax continued to shine there, as he compiled a 3.86 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 21 innings. He enters the 2019 season as the No. 23 prospect in the Twins' system according to MLB.com.
Over his first three season's of minor league ball, the Englewood, Colo. product has worked to a 3.46 ERA in 127.1 innings, totaling 24 starts. He has 94 strikeouts to 23 walks, while tallying five wins.
When he was selected by the Twins in the third round, 93rd overall, in the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft, Jax was coming off one of the greatest seasons ever by an Air Force pitcher. The Cherry Creek High School graduate picked up several accolades on the season, including Louisville Slugger All-America (Second Team), Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-MW. Jax posted a 9-2 record with a school-record 2.05 earned run average. He led the conference in ERA and with 105.1 innings pitched. His nine wins and 90 strikeouts ranked second. Jax also owns school records with six wins and a 2.21 ERA in MW play.
"Being selected is a huge honor. I was shocked after hearing the incredible stories of the Airmen nominated alongside me," Jax said. "To be even considered was a blessing, but I was greatly honored and humbled to have been selected, and will continue to shine a positive light on the military through sport."
As a WCAP athlete, Jax trains full time for the 2020 Olympics and plays in the Twins system. He is entering his fourth season of professional baseball, and has already collected an impressive amount of accolades.
Jax had a standout year for the Class A Advanced Fort Myers Miracle in 2018. The righty appeared in 15 games, making 14 starts as part of the rotation. In 87.2 innings pitched, Jax tallied a 3.70 ERA with three wins and 66 strikeouts, while only walking 15 batters. His efforts helped the Miracle to a Florida State League South Division title, and a spot in the FSL Championship Series.
With his efforts there, Jax was assigned to the Arizona Fall League this past offseason, which is for MLB prospects that are viewed as the top players in their respective organizations. Jax continued to shine there, as he compiled a 3.86 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 21 innings. He enters the 2019 season as the No. 23 prospect in the Twins' system according to MLB.com.
Over his first three season's of minor league ball, the Englewood, Colo. product has worked to a 3.46 ERA in 127.1 innings, totaling 24 starts. He has 94 strikeouts to 23 walks, while tallying five wins.
When he was selected by the Twins in the third round, 93rd overall, in the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft, Jax was coming off one of the greatest seasons ever by an Air Force pitcher. The Cherry Creek High School graduate picked up several accolades on the season, including Louisville Slugger All-America (Second Team), Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-MW. Jax posted a 9-2 record with a school-record 2.05 earned run average. He led the conference in ERA and with 105.1 innings pitched. His nine wins and 90 strikeouts ranked second. Jax also owns school records with six wins and a 2.21 ERA in MW play.
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