:Max Pentecost
{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Max Pentecost
| image = Max Pentecost 2014.jpg
| width = 250
| team =
| number =
| position = Catcher
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|3|10}}
| birth_place = Winder, Georgia, U.S.
| bats = Right
| throws = Right
}}
Maxwell Glen Pentecost (born March 10, 1993) is an American former professional baseball catcher. Prior to playing professionally, Pentecost attended Kennesaw State University, where he played college baseball for the Kennesaw State Owls baseball team. He was selected in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft by the Blue Jays.
High school and college
Pentecost attended Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia. He suffered an arm injury during his senior year, which required surgery.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140418&content_id=72515470¬ebook_id=72518710&vkey=notebook_mlb&c_id=mlb|title=Pentecost best true catcher in 2014 Draft class|last=Callis|first=Jim|work=MLB.com|date=April 18, 2014|access-date=July 9, 2014}} The Texas Rangers selected Pentecost in the seventh round, with the 234th overall selection, of the 2011 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.{{cite web|url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/060811/pre_841155352.shtml|title=Bulldoggs' Pentecost taken in 7th round|last=Cochran|first=Jeff|work=onlineathens.com|date=June 8, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/archives/3797-BASEBALL-Rangers-select-Pentecost-in-seventh-round.html|title=BASEBALL: Rangers select Pentecost in seventh round|last=Bridges|first=Chris|work=mainstreetnewssports.com|date=June 8, 2011|access-date=July 9, 2014}} He opted not to sign with Texas, instead enrolling at Kennesaw State University, where he played college baseball for the Kennesaw State Owls in the Atlantic Sun Conference. After his sophomore year at Kennesaw State, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL), where he was named the league's most valuable player and Perfect Game{{`}}s College Summer Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2013/aug/22/pentecost-earns-summer-league-honor/|title=Pentecost earns summer league honor|work=gwinnettdailypost.com|date=August 22, 2013|access-date=July 9, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2014/07/02/blue_jays_sign_firstround_picks_jeff_hoffman_max_pentecost.html|title=Blue Jays sign first-round picks Jeff Hoffman, Max Pentecost|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=July 2, 2014|access-date=July 9, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=423656&seasonid=21954 |title=#12 Max Pentecost |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}} Pentecost was named to the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.capecodbaseball.org/news/?article_id=3292 |title=2023 CCBL Hall of Fame Class Announced |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |date=June 9, 2023 |accessdate=June 10, 2023}} As a junior, Pentecost won the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year Award and Johnny Bench Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansas.com/2014/06/26/3528616/kennesaw-states-max-pentecost.html |title=Kennesaw State's Max Pentecost wins Johnny Bench Award |last=Lutz |first=Jeffrey |work=Kansas.com |date=June 26, 2014 |access-date=July 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714161505/http://www.kansas.com/2014/06/26/3528616/kennesaw-states-max-pentecost.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} He was also a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.ksuowls.com/news/2014/6/5/BB_0605143803.aspx|title=BSB: Pentecost Named Finalist for Dick Howser Award|last=Scardigli|first=Brandon|work=ksuowls.com|date=June 5, 2014|access-date=July 9, 2014}}
Professional career
Pentecost was seen by Jim Callis of MLB.com as a likely first round pick in the upcoming 2014 Major League Baseball draft, and the best pure catcher in the draft. The Toronto Blue Jays selected Pentecost in the first round, with the 11th overall selection.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-draft-player-player-in-first-round/|title=Jays draft RHP Hoffman, C Pentecost in first round|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=June 5, 2014|access-date=June 5, 2014}} Pentecost signed with the Blue Jays on July 2, for the full bonus slot value of $2.9 million.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140702&content_id=82713014¬ebook_id=82715640&vkey=notebook_tor&c_id=tor|title=Blue Jays sign first rounders Hoffman, Pentecost|last=Ross|first=Jaime|work=MLB.com|date=July 2, 2014|access-date=July 2, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2014/7/2/5864317/blue-jays-sign-their-first-round-draft-picks|title=Blue Jays sign their first round draft picks|last=Dakers|first=Tom|work=bluebirdbanter.com|date=July 2, 2014|access-date=July 2, 2014}} He was assigned to the Gulf Coast Blue Jays of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League because he did not have his passport at the time. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos had intended to assign Pentecost to the Vancouver Canadians of the Low-A Northwest League.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/tor/blue-jays-first-rounder-max-pentecost-makes-pro-debut?ymd=20140707&content_id=83600160&vkey=news_tor|title=Blue Jays first-rounder makes pro debut|last=Cahill|first=Teddy|work=MLB.com|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=July 9, 2014}} In his second professional game on July 8, he went 5-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and two runs batted in (RBI).{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/tor/blue-jays-no-2-prospect-roberto-osuna-returns-from-tommy-john-surgery?ymd=20140708&content_id=83784454&vkey=news_tor|title=Toronto's No.2 prospect returns from TJ surgery|last=Cahill|first=Teddy|work=MLB.com|date=July 8, 2014|access-date=July 9, 2014}} Pentecost was promoted to Vancouver on July 15.{{cite web|url=http://jaysjournal.com/2014/07/15/max-pentecost-make-vancouver-debut/|title=Max Pentecost to Make Vancouver Début|last=Mueller|first=Ryan|work=jaysjournal.com|date=July 15, 2014|access-date=July 17, 2014}} He played until August 7, when a wrist injury ended his season. In 25 total games, Pentecost batted .324 with 12 RBI.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=pentec000max|title=Max Pentecost Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 19, 2014}} On October 1, Pentecost was named eighth-best prospect in the Northwest League by Baseball America.{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2014/10/1/6881957/five-blue-jays-on-baseball-americas-top-20-northwest-league-prospect|title=Five Blue Jays on Baseball America's Top 20 Northwest League Prospects List|last=Dakers|first=Tom|work=bluebirdbanter.com|date=October 1, 2014|access-date=October 1, 2014}}
In January 2015, Pentecost was named by MLB as the 10th best catching prospect in baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2015-prospect-watch-top-10-catchers/c-107044448|title=2015 Prospect Watch: Top 10 catchers|last=Callis|first=Jim|work=MLB.com|date=January 22, 2015|access-date=January 22, 2015}} He underwent shoulder surgery in February 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-1st-rounder-pentecost-undergoes-surgery/|title=Blue Jays 1st rounder Pentecost undergoes surgery|first=Ben|last=Nicholson-Smith|work=Sportsnet.ca|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=February 27, 2015}} and missed the entire 2015 season while rehabbing.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/takeaways-from-blue-jays-2015-minor-league-season/|title=Takeaways from Blue Jays' 2015 minor-league season|last=Moore|first=Jeff|work=Sportsnet|date=September 20, 2015|access-date=September 20, 2015}} Prior to the start of the 2016 minor league season, Pentecost was ranked 9th on MLB's top 10 catching prospects list.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/162444880/prospect-watch-top-10-catchers-for-2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124032129/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/162444880/prospect-watch-top-10-catchers-for-2016|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2016|title=2016 Prospect Watch: Top 10 catchers|last=Rosenbaum|first=-Mike|work=MLB.com|date=January 21, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2016}} He opened the 2016 minor league season on the disabled list with the Lansing Lugnuts of the Single-A Midwest League.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/170923704/where-blue-jays-top-30-prospects-start-season|title=Where the Blue Jays' Top 30 prospects are starting the season|last=Rosenbaum|first=Mike|work=MLB.com|date=April 7, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906090752/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/170923704/where-blue-jays-top-30-prospects-start-season/|url-status=dead}} On May 12, Pentecost appeared in his first game in over 16 months, and hit the first home run of his professional career in a 5–0 win for the Lugnuts.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-177802584|title=Pentecost debuts with a smash as Lugs shut out Cubs|last=Goldberg-Strassler|first=Jesse|work=Minor League Baseball|date=May 12, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2016}} As he was not cleared to catch, Pentecost continued to play as a designated hitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-prospect-pentecost-now-making-lost-time/|title=Playing Catch-Up|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|access-date=September 6, 2016}} After hitting .314 with seven home runs and 34 RBI the Lugnuts in 62 games, Pentecost was promoted to the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays. He played 12 games with Dunedin in 2016, and hit .245 with three home runs and seven RBI. Aside from one rehab game in the Gulf Coast League, Pentecost spent the entire 2017 season with Dunedin. He was limited to 72 games due to two separate disabled list stints, and hit .274 with nine home runs and 54 RBI. Pentecost played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League (AFL) during the offseason,{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/talent/gurriel-jr-headlines-jays-fall-league-assignments-1.842528|title=Gurriel Jr. headlines Jays' Fall League assignments|last=Mitchell|first=Scott|work=TSN.ca|date=August 29, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2017}} but he was deactivated in the last week of the AFL's season due to shoulder pain. The Blue Jays opted not to place him on their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/lingering-shoulder-issues-kept-pentecost-off-blue-jays-40-man-roster/|title=Blue Jays Notebook: Shoulder issues kept Pentecost off 40-man roster|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=November 24, 2017|access-date=November 27, 2017}}
On January 24, 2018, the Blue Jays invited Pentecost to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-announce-non-roster-invitees-major-league-camp/|title=Blue Jays announce non-roster invitees to major league camp|work=Sportsnet|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=January 24, 2018}} He spent the 2018 season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double-A Eastern League, hitting .253 with 10 home runs and 52 RBI in 89 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.unionleader.com/sports/fisher_cats/healthy-pentecost-contributing/article_ea6084d7-0c49-5282-a9d1-08a340d3b7c6.html|title=Healthy Pentecost contributing|first=Alex|last=Hall|work=New Hampshire Union Leader|date=July 6, 2018}}
On March 22, 2019, it was announced that Pentecost had left Blue Jays' spring training, and was considering retirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-prospect-max-pentecost-leaves-camp-evaluate-future|title=Blue Jays prospect Max Pentecost leaves camp to evaluate future|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=April 3, 2019}} His retirement was confirmed on April 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/max-pentecost-officially-retires/|title=Max Pentecost: Officially retires|work=cbssports.com|date=April 3, 2019|access-date=April 3, 2019}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{baseballstats|mlb=596069|espn=33792|brm=pentec000max}}
{{Atlantic Sun Conference Baseball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{Johnny Bench Award}}
{{2014 College Baseball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2014 MLB Draft}}
{{Toronto Blue Jays first-round draft picks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pentecost, Max}}
Category:All-American college baseball players
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada
Category:Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Bourne Braves players
Category:Dunedin Blue Jays players
Category:Gulf Coast Blue Jays players
Category:Kennesaw State Owls baseball players
Category:Lansing Lugnuts players
Category:People from Winder, Georgia
Category:Sportspeople from Barrow County, Georgia
Category:New Hampshire Fisher Cats players