Jared Abruzzo

From BR Bullpen

Jared Andrew Abruzzo

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 225 lb.
High School El Capitan High School

Born November 15, 1981 in Mesa, CA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Jared Abruzzo is a catching/first base/designated hitting prospect who last played pro baseball in the Texas Rangers organization in 2005. He was drafted in the second round-50th overall-by the Angels in 2000, and he started his professional career that same year.

He was once considered by Angels farm director Tony Reagins, "the most impressive of the young guys in big league camp."[1], although later in his career as a farm hand in the Angels organization, he was considered a Shawn Wooten like back up, who'd be backing up Jeff Mathis [2].

In 2000 with rookie level Butte, Abruzzo hit .255 with 8 home runs and 45 RBI. That same year, he led his team in home runs, RBIs and walks, all the while being named as one of the top 10 prospects in the Angels organization by Baseball America. Between 2001 and 2004, he never got above high-A ball, with a high of 16 home runs, 73 RBI and a .271 average in that time. It was in 2004 that he stopped catching altogether.

In 2005, the Texas Rangers got him, and he spent time in Class A and AA ball that year. In 30 at-bats at Class-A, he hit .067. In 153 games at AA, hit hit .209 with 4 home runs.

Abruzzo pitched for the first time in his professional career in 2005, with Bakersfield. In 2/3 of an inning, he pitched perfect baseball. His totals in the minors so far are a .245 average, 64 home runs and 299 RBI.

Sergio Contreras, Bobby Jenks and Phil Wilson had all been teammates of Abruzzo for four year, longer than any other teammates.