Jamie Westbrook

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Jamie Westbrook

| image = Jamie Westbrook (52200191458) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Westbrook with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2022

| team = Tampa Bay Rays

| number =

| position = Outfielder / Second baseman

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|6|18}}

| birth_place = Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = June 2

| debutyear = 2024

| debutteam = Boston Red Sox

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2024 season

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .150

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 2

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 7

|teams =

Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2024}})

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}}

}}

Jamie Vaughn Westbrook (born June 18, 1995) is an American professional baseball outfielder and second baseman in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB draft. He played for the United States national baseball team in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Early life and amateur career

Westbrook was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and spent the first ten years of his life in Holyoke, Massachusetts, before moving to Chandler, Arizona.{{cite web | url=https://www.masslive.com/worcesterredsox/2024/05/woosox-jamie-westbrook-on-his-western-mass-hometown-im-proud-to-be-from-holyoke.html | title=WooSox' Jamie Westbrook on his Western Mass. Hometown: 'I'm proud to be from Holyoke' | date=May 4, 2024 }} He attended Basha High School.{{cite web|url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/varsityxtra/bashas-5-foot-9-westbrook-not-short-on-power/article_a5f50ff4-88ef-11e1-a45f-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Basha's 5-foot-9 Westbrook not short on power|first=Kyle|last=Odegard|work=East Valley Tribune|date=April 17, 2012|access-date=April 25, 2021}} As a junior, he batted .532 with 35 RBIs and 13 home runs. Westbrook hit .434 with 16 total extra-base hits and six home runs in his senior season. Westbrook had committed to play college baseball at Pepperdine University before signing with the Diamondbacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/westbrooks-power-interests-d-backs-in-fifth-round/c-49763704|title=Westbrook's power interests D-backs in fifth round|first=Tyler|last=Emerick|website=MLB.com|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2021}}

Professional career

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Westbrook in the fifth round, with the 150th overall selection, of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.kold.com/story/22536311/dbacks-take-8-on-day-two/|title=Dbacks take 8 on day two|first=Damien|last=Alameda|website=KOLD.com|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2021}} He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Diamondbacks, and also appeared for the rookie-level Missoula Osprey. In 2014, Westbrook played for the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks, hitting .259/.314/.375 with eight home runs and 49 RBI. The following season, Westbrook played for the High-A Visalia Rawhide, where he batted .319/.357/.510 with career-highs in home runs (17) and RBI (72). For the 2016 season, Westbrook played for the Double-A Mobile BayBears, logging a .262/.312/.349 slash line with five home runs and 36 RBI. In 2017, Westbrook played for the Double-A Jackson Generals, where he slashed .265/.305/.395 with eight home runs and 55 RBI in 104 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=westbr000jam|title = Jamie Westbrook Minor, Fall, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History}}

In 2018, Westbrook was named a Southern League All-Star after batting .287 with 15 home runs and was promoted to the Triple-A Reno Aces, where he hit .391 with four home runs in seven games.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/southern/news/arizona-diamondbacks-jamie-westbrook-showing-the-way-with-jackson-gene-306750512|title=Southern notes: Westbrook shows the way|first=Brian|last=Lester|website=MiLB.com|date=May 2, 2019|access-date=April 25, 2021}} He returned to Jackson to start the 2019 season and repeated as a Southern League All-Star and was again promoted to Reno.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/baez-westbrook-to-hit-in-southern-league-home-run-derby-tonight-308164378|title=Baez, Westbrook to hit in Southern League Home Run Derby tonight|first=Tyler|last=Springs|website=MiLB.com|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=April 25, 2021}} In 128 games between the two affiliates, Westbrook slashed .281/.358/.451 with 16 home runs and 77 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/7/28/21339651/jamie-westbrook-seeks-second-chance-at-mlb-debut|title=Former D-backs prospect Jamie Westbrook seeks second chance at MLB debut|first=Isaiah|last=Burrows|website=AZSnakePit.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=July 28, 2020}}

=San Francisco Giants=

On January 6, 2020, Westbrook signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-jamie-westbrook-invited-to-big-league-camp/|title = Giants' Jamie Westbrook: Invited to big-league camp| date=January 7, 2020 }} Westbrook did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Westbrook was released by the Giants organization on June 26.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/Giants-release-3-players-on-first-day-for-roster-15370057.php|title=Giants release 3 players on first day for roster moves; Puig anyone?|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=April 25, 2021}}

=Sugar Land Lightning Sloths=

In July 2020, Westbrook signed on to play for the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths of the Constellation Energy League, a makeshift four-team independent league created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the 2020 season. Westbrook hit .294/.347/.553 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 27 games, and was named the MVP of his team after the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.sugarlandskeeters.com/news/constellation-energy-league-team-mvps |title=Constellation Energy League Team MVPs |website=Sugar Land Skeeters |date=September 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921092008/https://www.sugarlandskeeters.com/news/constellation-energy-league-team-mvps |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |via=Wayback Machine}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On November 2, 2020, Westrook signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-jamie-westbrook-finds-new-organization/|title=Brewers' Jamie Westbrook: Finds new organization|website=CBS Sports|publisher=RotoWire|date=November 2, 2020|access-date=April 25, 2021}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to start the 2021 season, but was later reassigned to the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers before being promoted back to Triple-A.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/jamie-westbrook-642197|title = Jamie Westbrook Stats, Fantasy & News}}

=Detroit Tigers=

On April 13, 2022, the Brewers traded Westbrook to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web | url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/04/13/detroit-tigers-jamie-westbrook-trade-milwaukee-brewers-toledo-mud-hens/7303398001/ | title=Detroit Tigers acquire utility player Jamie Westbrook in minor-league trade with Brewers }} He played in 120 games for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, slashing .248/.349/.377 with 11 home runs and 48 RBI. Westbrook elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=December 30, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=New York Yankees=

On December 15, 2022, Westbrook signed a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2022/12/4-ex-tigers-agree-to-minor-league-deals-with-new-teams.html |title=4 ex-Tigers agree to minor-league deals with new teams |website=mlive.com |first=Evan |last=Woodbery |date=December 19, 2022}} In 117 games for the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he hit .294/.400/.496 with 21 home runs and 65 RBI. Westbrook elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On December 11, 2023, Westbrook signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2023/12 |title=Transactions – Red Sox Roster & Staff |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=December 2023 |accessdate=December 11, 2023}} He was named a non-roster invitee to the team's spring training camp.{{cite news |url=https://nesn.com/2023/12/red-sox-unveil-list-of-non-roster-invitees-for-spring-training/ |title=Red Sox Unveil List Of Non-Roster Invitees For Spring Training |first=Greg |last=Dudek |website=NESN |date=December 11, 2023 |accessdate=December 11, 2023}} He began the 2024 season with the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox, posting a .267/.364/.436 slash line with five home runs and 29 RBI across 49 appearances.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox Select Jamie Westbrook|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/red-sox-select-jamie-westbrook.html|access-date=June 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 2, 2024 |language=en}} On June 2, Westbrook was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web |last=Woodbery |first=Evan |date=June 2, 2024 |title=Former Tigers farmhand called up by Red Sox |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2024/06/former-tigers-farmhand-called-up-by-red-sox.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=mlive |language=}} He made his MLB debut that day, and walked in his first plate appearance.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/marlins/news/jamie-westbrook-debuts-for-red-sox |title=Westbrook feeling 'a lot of gratitude' after Major League debut |first=Ian |last=Browne |website=MLB.com |date=June 2, 2024 |accessdate=June 2, 2024}} On June 5, Westbrook pinch-hit for Enmanuel Valdez in the eighth inning of the Red Sox' 9–0 win against the Atlanta Braves, and recorded his first major league hit, a single, off Braves pitcher Jimmy Herget. He hit his first major league home run the next day in the 7th inning of the Red Sox's 14–2 win against the Chicago White Sox, off White Sox pitcher Jared Shuster, who is also a Massachusetts native.{{Cite web |last=Stebbins |first=Tim |title=Boston records season-high 24 hits in rout of White Sox |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-break-out-for-14-runs-season-high-24-hits-vs-white-sox |access-date=June 7, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} On June 17, the Red Sox sent Westbrook to Triple-A Worcester to make room for infielder Romy González who was activated from the injured list.{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2024 |title=Red Sox activate Romy Gonzalez from IL, option Jamie Westbrook |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/06/17/red-sox-activate-romy-gonzalez-from-il-option-jamie-westbrook/ |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}} In 21 games for Boston, he slashed .150/.234/.350 with two home runs and seven RBI. On August 12, Westbrook was designated for assignment following the promotions of Chase Shugart and Mickey Gasper.{{cite news |title=Red Sox place LHP James Paxton on IL amid handful of moves |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40839601/boston-red-sox-pitcher-james-paxton-injured-list-strained-right-calf |access-date=August 12, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=August 12, 2024}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Worcester on August 15.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox Outright Jamie Westbrook|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/red-sox-outright-jamie-westbrook.html|access-date=August 15, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 15, 2024 |language=en}} Westbrook elected free agency on November 2.{{Cite web|title=12 Players Elect Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/12-players-elect-free-agency.html|access-date=November 3, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On February 24, 2025, Westbrook signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.{{Cite web|title=Rays Sign Jamie Westbrook To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/rays-sign-jamie-westbrook-second-base-outfield.html|access-date=February 24, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

International career

On July 2, 2021, Westbrook was named to the roster for the United States national baseball team for the 2020 Summer Olympics, contested in 2021 in Tokyo.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/us-baseball-roster-announced-for-2021-olympics |title=USA Baseball announces Olympics roster |website=MLB.com |date=July 2, 2021 |accessdate=July 2, 2021}} The team went on to win silver, falling to Japan in the gold-medal game.{{cite web |url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/baseball-softball/results-baseball-fnl-000100-.htm |title=Baseball/Softball - United States vs Japan - Gold Medal Game Results |website=olympics.com |date=August 7, 2021 |accessdate=August 8, 2021 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816171932/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/baseball-softball/results-baseball-fnl-000100-.htm |url-status=dead }}

References

External links

{{Baseballstats|mlb=642197|br=w/westbja02|fangraphs=sa737824|brm=westbr000jam|espn=35143|retro=W/Pwestj003}}
[https://www.usabaseball.com/player/jamie-westbrook Jamie Westbrook] at USA Baseball
{{Team USA|new_id=jamie-westbrook-1229006|old_id=Jamie-Westbrook|sport=usa-baseball|archive=20230604010938}}
{{Olympedia}}
{{Olympics.com|jamie-westbrook}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:African-American baseball players

Category:American expatriate baseball players in Australia

Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico

Category:Arizona League Diamondbacks players

Category:Baseball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Baseball players from Maricopa County, Arizona

Category:Baseball players from Springfield, Massachusetts

Category:Biloxi Shuckers players

Category:Boston Red Sox players

Category:Durham Bulls players