Jason Heyward
Encyclopedia
Jason Alias Heyward nicknamed J-Hey and J-Hey-Kid, is a Major League Baseball
right fielder
for the Atlanta Braves
. He throws and bats left-handed.
Heyward was considered the consensus number one Major League Baseball
prospect for the 2010 season. Baseball America
, Keith Law of ESPN.com
and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com
all listed Heyward as baseball's top prospect in 2010 season previews. In 2007, he was regarded as the top prospect in the Braves minor league system, according to Baseball America
, being listed by the publication as the organization's best power hitter and having the best strike zone discipline in the system.
but moved to Georgia
soon after he was born. Heyward went to Henry County High School. He was selected 14th overall by Atlanta in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
, and signed a deal worth $1.7 million – $170,000 more than MLB
's slot recommendation of $1.53 million, and the same as the 2006
14th-slot amount that the Toronto Blue Jays
gave Travis Snider
on August 12, 2007.
of the Appalachian League
, hitting a combined .302 batting average
with one home run
and six RBIs
in 12 games. In 2008 he hit a combined .316 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs in 127 games for Class-A Rome
and Advanced-A Myrtle Beach
, including 91 runs
, 15 stolen base
s, and a .854 OPS
.
Heyward started 2009 at Myrtle Beach, gaining successive promotions to Double-A Mississippi
and Triple-A Gwinnett
. In 99 games, he was a .323 hitter with 17 homers and 10 steals, including high numbers in OBP (.408), SLG (.555), and OPS (.963), while scoring 69 runs and driving in 63 RBIs.
In September 2009, Heyward was named the Minor League Player of the Year both by Baseball America
and USA Today
.
During Spring Training
in March 2010, Heyward hit two notable batting practice home runs. One hit and damaged a Coca-Cola
truck in the parking lot, and another broke the sunroof of Atlanta Braves' assistant GM Bruce Manno's car in the same lot.
. Heyward wears #22 in honor of a deceased high school teammate and friend, Andy Wilmot.
On April 5, during his first Major League plate appearance, Heyward hit a three-run home run, estimated at 471 feet (143.6 m), off of Carlos Zambrano
of the Chicago Cubs
. Heyward became the fifth player in Braves history to hit a home run in his first Major League at bat, on the heels of Jordan Schafer
, who did it the previous year.
He was named Rookie of the Month in April
and May of 2010.
Heyward was selected as a starter for the 2010 All-Star Game
, but did not play due to an injury to his right thumb. On July 28, Heyward stole home on a double steal against the Washington Nationals, the first Brave to steal home since Rafael Furcal
, who did it more than ten years earlier. On August 22, against the Chicago Cubs
, Heyward had his first career multi-home run game and set a career high in hits and runs scored with four. He made his post-season debut with the Braves on October 7, 2010 against the San Francisco Giants.
Heyward finished his rookie season with a .277 batting average, a .393 on-base percentage, and 18 home runs. He was named an outfielder on Baseball Americas 2010 All-Rookie Team. He was also named an outfielder on the 2010 Topps
Major League Rookie All-Star Team
. Heyward finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Buster Posey.
pitcher Livan Hernandez
to become the second player to homer in his first major league at-bat on opening day, and do the same the following year, after Kazuo Matsui
did so 2004-2005. During a game against the Chicago Cubs on August 23rd, 2011, Heyward hit his first career grand slam.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He throws and bats left-handed.
Heyward was considered the consensus number one Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
prospect for the 2010 season. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, Keith Law of ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com
MLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. . MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports columns...
all listed Heyward as baseball's top prospect in 2010 season previews. In 2007, he was regarded as the top prospect in the Braves minor league system, according to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, being listed by the publication as the organization's best power hitter and having the best strike zone discipline in the system.
Amateur career
Heyward was born in Ridgewood, New JerseyRidgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village population was 24,958. Ridgewood is an affluent suburban bedroom community of New York City, located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan.The Village of Ridgewood was...
but moved to Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
soon after he was born. Heyward went to Henry County High School. He was selected 14th overall by Atlanta in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
, and signed a deal worth $1.7 million – $170,000 more than MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's slot recommendation of $1.53 million, and the same as the 2006
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
14th-slot amount that the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
gave Travis Snider
Travis Snider
Travis James Snider is a Major League Baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He hits and throws left-handed. He played baseball at Henry M. Jackson High School, where he also played running back and linebacker in football...
on August 12, 2007.
Professional career
At 17, Heyward started his professional career for the Braves, first with the GCL Braves and then with the Danville BravesDanville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
, hitting a combined .302 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with one home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
and six RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 12 games. In 2008 he hit a combined .316 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs in 127 games for Class-A Rome
Rome Braves
The Rome Braves are a Class-A minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 2003, the team, previously known as the Macon Braves, moved from Macon, Georgia, to Rome, Georgia, 60 miles northwest of Atlanta....
and Advanced-A Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
, including 91 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 15 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, and a .854 OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
.
Heyward started 2009 at Myrtle Beach, gaining successive promotions to Double-A Mississippi
Mississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
and Triple-A Gwinnett
Gwinnett Braves
The Gwinnett Braves are a minor league baseball team in the International League, the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Atlanta Braves. The team was previously the Richmond Braves for 43 seasons . On January 14, 2008, it was announced that the Richmond Braves would move from Richmond,...
. In 99 games, he was a .323 hitter with 17 homers and 10 steals, including high numbers in OBP (.408), SLG (.555), and OPS (.963), while scoring 69 runs and driving in 63 RBIs.
In September 2009, Heyward was named the Minor League Player of the Year both by Baseball America
Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award
Listed below in chronological order are the Minor League Baseball players chosen by Baseball America as recipients of the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award...
and USA Today
USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award
Listed below in chronological order are the Minor League Baseball players chosen by USA Today as recipients of the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award...
.
During Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in March 2010, Heyward hit two notable batting practice home runs. One hit and damaged a Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
truck in the parking lot, and another broke the sunroof of Atlanta Braves' assistant GM Bruce Manno's car in the same lot.
2010
On March 25, 2010, he was named the Braves' starting right fielderRight fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
. Heyward wears #22 in honor of a deceased high school teammate and friend, Andy Wilmot.
On April 5, during his first Major League plate appearance, Heyward hit a three-run home run, estimated at 471 feet (143.6 m), off of Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Heyward became the fifth player in Braves history to hit a home run in his first Major League at bat, on the heels of Jordan Schafer
Jordan Schafer
Jordan James Schafer is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Houston Astros.-Baseball career:...
, who did it the previous year.
He was named Rookie of the Month in April
and May of 2010.
Heyward was selected as a starter for the 2010 All-Star Game
2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 81st midseason exhibition between the All-Stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
, but did not play due to an injury to his right thumb. On July 28, Heyward stole home on a double steal against the Washington Nationals, the first Brave to steal home since Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
, who did it more than ten years earlier. On August 22, against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, Heyward had his first career multi-home run game and set a career high in hits and runs scored with four. He made his post-season debut with the Braves on October 7, 2010 against the San Francisco Giants.
Heyward finished his rookie season with a .277 batting average, a .393 on-base percentage, and 18 home runs. He was named an outfielder on Baseball Americas 2010 All-Rookie Team. He was also named an outfielder on the 2010 Topps
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
Major League Rookie All-Star Team
Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
. Heyward finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Buster Posey.
2011
Heyward again hit a home run in his first at-bat of the season on March 31, 2011 off Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
pitcher Livan Hernandez
Liván Hernández
Eisler Liván Hernández Carrera is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher. He is the half-brother of pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernández.-Playing career:...
to become the second player to homer in his first major league at-bat on opening day, and do the same the following year, after Kazuo Matsui
Kazuo Matsui
is a Japanese second baseman for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. Matsui is a switch-hitter...
did so 2004-2005. During a game against the Chicago Cubs on August 23rd, 2011, Heyward hit his first career grand slam.