Yankees claim Jeter Downs on waivers from Nationals. Here are 3 things to know
There’s another Jeter in the Yankees organization.
Named for Hall of Fame pinstriped icon Derek Jeter, infielder Jeter Downs was claimed Tuesday by the Yankees off waivers from the Washington Nationals.
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound former first-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds (2017, 32nd overall) joins his fifth organization, having played in just 20 career MLB games.
In the current picture, Downs, 25, boosts the Yankees’ infield depth, having played second base, third base and shortstop at the big-league level.
A few things to know about the new Jeter in town:
Derek Jeter connection
Downs was indeed named for the Yankees captain, who retired after the 2014 season.
“I have always loved it,’’ Downs told MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo in 2018. “Jeter was one of my favorite players growing up, just the way he carried himself on and off the field.
“He was a good role model to look up to as a kid.’’
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Downs’ father, Jerry Sr., played baseball professionally in Colombia, where Jeter was born on July 27, 1998 – during the Yankees’ 125-win world championship year in Derek Jeter’s third full MLB season.
Yankee Stadium moment
Downs’ first career hit was against the Yankees, at Fenway Park.
And his one and only career home run came at Yankee Stadium, July 17, 2022, in the uniform of the rival Boston Red Sox.
And he connected against Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole.
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As a Red Sox minor leaguer, Downs also connected with Jeter via Zoom in a two-minute conversation set up by a friend in the Miami Marlins organization.
At the time, Jeter was the Marlins’ chief executive officer.
In the Mookie Betts deal
During spring training of 2020, Downs – then with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization - was part of a seismic trade that rocked Red Sox Nation.
Along with outfielder Alex Verdugo, the right-handed hitting Downs was in the deal that brought Mookie Betts to Dodger Stadium.
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Earlier this month, the Yankees acquired Verdugo in a rare trade with their ancient rivals.
Picked up by the Nationals via waivers last year, Downs appeared in just six games for Washington. Downs played most of 2023 at three minor league levels, batting .222 (40-for-180) in 60 games.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees claim Jeter Downs on waivers from Nationals
