Jason Delay

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Jason Delay

|image =

|team = Atlanta Braves

|number =

|position = Catcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|3|7}}

|birth_place = Plano, Texas, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 14

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .231

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 2

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 35

|teams =

Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2024}})

}}

Jason Thomas Delay (born March 7, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career

Delay attended Northview High School in Johns Creek, Georgia, and Vanderbilt University, where he played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.{{Cite web|url=https://www.appenmedia.com/sports/northview-s-delay-to-play-ball-for-vanderbilt/article_00cc7230-2d9a-5e53-86a5-b714ce1fcfe8.html|title=Northview's Delay to play ball for Vanderbilt|website=Appen Media|date=February 6, 2013 }} He was a member of the 2014 College World Series champions, and played in the 2015 College World Series, which Vanderbilt lost.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2021/06/18/college-world-series-indianapolis-minor-league-teammates-cws-memories-set-arizona-vanderbilt-matchup/7726567002/|title=Indianapolis minor league teammates cherish College World Series memories, set for duel|first=Stefan|last=Krajisnik|website=The Indianapolis Star}} In 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and returned to the league in 2016 with the Cotuit Kettleers.{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=733418&seasonid=29031 |title=#27 Jason Delay (2015) |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=June 14, 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=1006951&seasonid=29795 |title=#27 Jason Delay (2016) |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=June 14, 2022}}

Professional career

= Pittsburgh Pirates =

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Delay in the fourth round, with the 118th overall selection, of the 2017 MLB draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2017/06/13/vanderbilts-toffey-drafted-as-fourth-round/392673001/|title=Vanderbilt's Will Toffey, Jason Delay drafted in fourth round|first=Adam|last=Sparks|website=The Tennessean}} He signed with the Pirates for a $100,000 signing bonus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2017/06/27/vanderbilt-players-signing-bonuses-and-minor-league-debuts/432230001/|title=Vanderbilt players' signing bonuses and minor league debuts|first=Adam|last=Sparks|website=The Tennessean}} Delay spent his first professional season with the rookie–level Bristol Pirates and Low–A West Virginia Black Bears, hitting .228 in 34 combined appearances.{{Cite web|title=Jason Delay Stats & Scouting Report|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/10844-jason-delay/|access-date=April 27, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

Delay spent the 2018 season with the High–A Bradenton Marauders, hitting .247/.325/.302 with two home runs and 21 RBI across 67 games.{{Cite web|title=Jason Delay - Stats - Batting|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jason-delay/19806/stats?position=C|access-date=April 27, 2024|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} In 2019, he played in 67 games for the Double–A Altoona Curve, slashing .234/.286/.398 with career–highs in home runs (8) and RBI (37). Delay did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=April 27, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

He returned to action in 2021 with Altoona and the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians. In 30 games between the two affiliates, Delay batted .170/.204/.277 with two home runs and seven RBI.{{Cite web|title=Jason Delay - Baseball Stats|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/185055/|access-date=April 27, 2024|website=thebaseballcube.com|language=en}} He began the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Indians. In June 2022, Delay had decided he would retire from professional baseball during Indianapolis's upcoming trip to play the Gwinnett Stripers, near his hometown in Johns Creek, Georgia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jason-delay-pirates-catcher-career-journey|title=Jason Delay almost left baseball behind. It's a good thing he didn't|website=MLB.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jason-delay-thriving-with-pirates-after-nearly-retiring|title=1 year after nearly retiring, Delay thriving|website=MLB.com}}

On June 13, 2022, Delay was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/06/pirates-select-jason-delay-recall-canaan-smith-njigba.html|title=Pirates Select Jason Delay, Recall Canaan Smith-Njigba|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=June 13, 2022 }} He made his major league debut on June 14 in the first game of a double header against the St. Louis Cardinals.{{cite web | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2022/06/14/pittsburgh-pirates-catcher-jason-delay-mlb-debut/stories/202206140028 | title=Jason Delay, Canaan Smith-Njigba make MLB debuts on same day in St. Louis }} After going 0-for-2 with a walk in his debut, the Pirates optioned him back to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.{{Cite web |title=Pirates' Jason Delay: Quick return to minors |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-jason-delay-quick-return-to-minors/amp/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=www.cbssports.com}} On July 7, Delay recorded his first career hit, an RBI double off of Cincinnati Reds starter Mike Minor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/video/mike-minor-in-play-run-s-to-jason-delay|title=Jason Delay's 1st career hit, RBI | 07/07/2022|website=MLB.com}} On July 22, Delay hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of Miami Marlins starter Braxton Garrett.{{Cite web|title=Jason Delay's First Career Homer Capitalizes Strong Start To Pirates Career|url=https://pittsburghbaseballnow.com/pittsburgh-pirates-jason-delay-first-career-homerun/|access-date=May 24, 2023|website=pittsburghbaseballnow.com|date=July 23, 2022 |language=en}} Delay made 57 appearances for the Pirates in his rookie campaign, hitting .213/.265/.271 with one home run and 11 RBI. He was outrighted off the roster on November 10.

On March 28, 2023, the Pirates announced that Delay had made the Opening Day roster as the backup catcher behind Austin Hedges.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Jason Delay: To open as backup catcher|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-jason-delay-to-open-as-backup-catcher/amp/|access-date=March 28, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He had his contract selected on March 30.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/03/pirates-designate-ryan-vilade-for-assignment.html|title=Pirates Designate Ryan Vilade For Assignment|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=March 30, 2023 }} In 70 games for Pittsburgh, Delay batted .251/.319/.347 with one home run and 18 RBI.

Delay began the 2024 season with Pittsburgh, but played in only one game before suffering a knee injury. On April 19, 2024, it was announced that he would undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Marco Gonzales to go without throwing for 'a couple of weeks'; Jason Delay has knee surgery|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2024/04/19/injury-updates-marco-gonzales-yasmani-grandal-jason-delay/stories/202404190081|access-date=April 22, 2024|website=post-gazette.com|language=en}} He was activated from the injured list and optioned to Triple–A Indianapolis on June 3.{{Cite web|title=Pirates Designate Grant Koch For Assignment, Select Ben Heller|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/pirates-designate-grant-koch-for-assignment-select-ben-heller.html|access-date=June 4, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 4, 2024 |language=en}} On June 14, Pirates catcher Henry Davis was removed from the game after the 6th inning. Davis was placed on the 7-day injured list with a concussion. Delay was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on June 15.{{Cite web|title=Pirates place Henry Davis on 7-day injured list with concussion|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2024/06/15/jason-delay-ben-cherington-derek-shelton-mlb-trade-deadline/stories/202406150055|access-date=June 23, 2024|website=post-gazette.com|date=June 15, 2024 |language=en}} He played his first game back the next day on June 16, and went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI.{{Cite web|title=Pirates returners Josh Fleming, Jason Delay stand out in series-clinching win against Rockies|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2024/06/16/pirates-josh-fleming-jason-delay-indianapolis-kyle-nicolas-rockies-series-win-ml/stories/202406110102|access-date=June 23, 2024|website=post-gazette.com|date=June 16, 2024|language=en}} In 7 games for Pittsburgh, Delay went 3-for-15 (.200) with 6 RBI and 3 walks.

Delay was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Pirates Send Catcher to Triple-A|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/pirates/news/pittsburgh-pirates-send-catcher-jason-delay-triple-a|access-date=March 28, 2025|website=si.com|language=en}} On April 1, 2025, Delay was designated for assignment following the promotion of Thomas Harrington.{{cite news |title=Pirates' Thomas Harrington gets call, will debut vs. Rays |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44494150/pirates-thomas-harrington-gets-call-debut-vs-rays |access-date=April 1, 2025 |publisher=ESPN.com |date=April 1, 2025}}

= Atlanta Braves =

On April 3, 2025, Delay was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite news |title=Roster moves |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-roster-moves-x1998 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=April 3, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Kevin |title=Pirates add OF Alexander Canario, option IF/OF Ji Hwan Bae, trade C Jason Delay to Braves |url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-add-of-alexander-canario-option-if-of-ji-hwan-bae-trade-c-jason-delay-to-braves/ |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune Review |date=April 3, 2025}} He was optioned to the Columbus Clingstones.{{cite news |title=Braves acquire C Jason Delay from Pirates |url=https://www.news-shield.com/sports/outdoors/article_7a2884e0-5ed2-5b4c-995d-8a2901760623.html |access-date=April 4, 2025 |publisher=Barron News-Shield |date=April 3, 2025}} Alt URLs [https://www.maryvilleforum.com/sports/other/braves-acquire-c-jason-delay-from-pirates/article_52969f5b-bd95-5076-a010-a62ce73c688d.html 1], [https://www.citizentribune.com/sports/baseball/braves-acquire-c-jason-delay-from-pirates/article_e0d520e7-3b01-54dd-b3ea-53392d1eb7ef.html 2], [https://www.news-journal.com/braves-acquire-c-jason-delay-from-pirates/article_34408af0-72b0-5af5-966c-985b2be33326.html 3]

Personal life

Delay is the son of Tim and Vicky. He has two older sisters, Julia and Kelly.{{cite news |last1=Destin |first1=Andrew |title=Pirates’ Jason Delay keeps mom close after her breast cancer battle |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/05/14/pittsburgh-pirates-mothers-day-jason-delay-vicky-breast-cancer-survivor/stories/202305140027 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette |date=May 14, 2023}}