Indians Top 50: #23 Jason Donald

Jason Donald - Infielder
Born: 09/04/1984 - Height: 6'1" - Weight: 195 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	Avg	OBP	SLG	OPS
2006	21	Batavia	A-	63	213	33	56	14	2	1	24	23	42	12	.263	.347	.362	.709
2007	22	Lakewood	A	51	197	41	61	9	3	4	30	29	39	2	.310	.409	.447	.856
2007	22	Clearwater	A+	83	293	48	88	22	5	8	41	35	70	3	.300	.386	.491	.877
2008	23	Reading	AA	92	362	57	111	19	4	14	54	47	86	11	.307	.391	.497	.888
2009	24	GCL Phillies	R	9	26	4	6	1	1	0	1	2	5	1	.231	.286	.346	.632
2009	24	Lehigh Valley	AAA	51	208	26	49	15	1	1	16	14	53	6	.236	.297	.332	.629
2009	24	Columbus	AAA	10	35	10	9	2	0	1	1	3	11	1	.257	.350	.400	.750
		Totals		359	1334	219	380	82	16	29	167	153	306	36	.285	.369	.436	.804

History: Donald was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 3rd round of the 2006 Draft out of the University of Arizona.  The Indians acquired him as part of a four player package from the Phillies in exchange for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco in a trade completed on July 29th, 2009.  While 2009 was a lost year for him 2008 was very busy as he was the starting shortstop for Team USA in the All Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium and also played for Team USA in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.  He played in the Arizona Fall League as well in 2008, and was named to the All Prospect Team after hitting .407 (37-for-91) with 12 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, and 17 RBI in 25 games.

Strengths & Opportunities:  Donald is a very athletic player who has a great feel for hitting, good approach at the plate, and is fundamentally sound with his swing.  He has very good power to all fields for an infielder and just pounds the ball into the gaps.  He doesn't do one thing great offensively, but his offensive skill set is a lot like current Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.  He is only an average runner or maybe a tick above, but has excellent instincts and intelligence running the bases.  He is a maximum effort player who goes all out, and is often considered an overachiever.

Donald was hampered by a torn meniscus in his left knee for a good portion of the season last year which eventually sidelined him for two months before he was traded to the Indians.  His issues with his knee could help explain some of his poor numbers last year, especially in the power department.  Shortly after joining the Indians, he was sidelined with a back strain after ten games for Triple-A Columbus.  He came out of the Columbus lineup on August 13th and did not return the rest of the season.  The injury was unfortunate as the Indians wanted to call him up to Cleveland in September to help him get acclimated to the big leagues in the hopes that he could show he would be ready for a big league bench job to start the 2010 season.  The injury nixed those plans, and as a result no matter what happens this spring the Indians now are pretty much dead set on him opening the 2010 season in Triple-A Columbus to prove he is healthy and also get his swing right.  They still expect him to get a significant number of at bats in Cleveland this season where if healthy he should be up with the big league team sometime before or after the All Star break.

Opinions differ on Donald on what kind of player he will be.  He certainly has the offensive capabilities to be a plus offensive player anywhere in the middle of the diamond, but it is split on whether he is a second level everyday middle infielder or a utility player who has the ability to start on occasion.  The problem stems from him not fitting at any one position.  While he can play third base, shortstop, and second base, he is only average at best defensively at each position.  He lacks the range to play everyday at shortstop and he does not have the big bat or arm to be an everyday third baseman.  His best chance at an everyday gig is probably second base.

Outlook:  Donald profiles as a very good utility player, and may be the eventual replacement in that role later this season.  His ability to play anywhere in the infield has a lot of value, which will allow him to have a pretty long big  league career even if he does not settle into one everyday position.  While he will likely begin his big league player as a bench player or as part of a second base platoon, the Indians are not going to give up on him as an everyday option as they still think he can be an average defensive shortstop with good offensive potential or be an above average all around second baseman.  He will be in the mix for a big league bench job in spring training, but he is set to open the 2010 season at Triple-A Columbus.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr

Jason Donald MinorLeagueBaseball.com page

Jason Donald Baseball-Reference page

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