Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Boone Signs With Washington Nationals
July 31, 2020 | Baseball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Jake Boone became the second Princeton Tiger to earn a professional contract this season as he signed a deal with the Washington Nationals.
Boone adds on to the list of Princeton Tigers who have either been drafted or signed by a Major League team over the past several years. Last month, James Proctor was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds. Ryan Smith was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last year while Ben Gross was picked by the Houston Astros the year prior.
Boone appeared in 72 games with Princeton, recording a .250 average. He finished two seasons and seven contests in 2020 with 71 hits, 31 runs and 24 RBI. Boone also posted a .927 fielding percentage.
The junior is a fourth-generation professional player as his father, Brett (1992-05), grandfather, Bob (1972-90) and great grandfather, Ray (1948-60), all played professional baseball as did his uncles Aaron (1997-09) and Matt (1997-03). His family has combined for two World Series titles, 11 Gold Glove awards and 10 All-Star appearances. His uncle, Aaron, is also the manager of the New York Yankees.
Princeton has two players in MLB currently in Mike Ford and David Hale, both with the New York Yankees. Matt Bowman is on the taxi roster for the Cincinnati Reds.
Last year, those three contributed at the top level for MLB. Ford hit .259 with 12 home runs, 25 RBI and an OPS of .909 while Hale appeared in 20 games, contributing a 3.11 ERA in 37 2/3 innings for the Bronx Bombers. Bowman added a 3.66 ERA with the Reds in 27 outings.
Alec Keller and Danny Barnes reached the AAA level in 2019 as Keller played for Fresno Grizzlies while Barnes played with the Buffalo Bisons. Keller finished with a .302 average and .346 on-base percentage in 119 games, knocking in 45 runs and stealing 10 bases. Barnes struck out 10 in 8 2/3 innings in an injury-shortened season.
Boone adds on to the list of Princeton Tigers who have either been drafted or signed by a Major League team over the past several years. Last month, James Proctor was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds. Ryan Smith was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last year while Ben Gross was picked by the Houston Astros the year prior.
Boone appeared in 72 games with Princeton, recording a .250 average. He finished two seasons and seven contests in 2020 with 71 hits, 31 runs and 24 RBI. Boone also posted a .927 fielding percentage.
The junior is a fourth-generation professional player as his father, Brett (1992-05), grandfather, Bob (1972-90) and great grandfather, Ray (1948-60), all played professional baseball as did his uncles Aaron (1997-09) and Matt (1997-03). His family has combined for two World Series titles, 11 Gold Glove awards and 10 All-Star appearances. His uncle, Aaron, is also the manager of the New York Yankees.
Princeton has two players in MLB currently in Mike Ford and David Hale, both with the New York Yankees. Matt Bowman is on the taxi roster for the Cincinnati Reds.
Last year, those three contributed at the top level for MLB. Ford hit .259 with 12 home runs, 25 RBI and an OPS of .909 while Hale appeared in 20 games, contributing a 3.11 ERA in 37 2/3 innings for the Bronx Bombers. Bowman added a 3.66 ERA with the Reds in 27 outings.
Alec Keller and Danny Barnes reached the AAA level in 2019 as Keller played for Fresno Grizzlies while Barnes played with the Buffalo Bisons. Keller finished with a .302 average and .346 on-base percentage in 119 games, knocking in 45 runs and stealing 10 bases. Barnes struck out 10 in 8 2/3 innings in an injury-shortened season.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
P
/ Baseball
P
/ BaseballPrinceton Athletics 2023-24 Highlights
Tuesday, June 04
Sights and Sounds: 2024 Ivy League Baseball Tournament - Game 3
Monday, May 20
Sights and Sounds: Princeton Baseball Ivy League Tournament win vs. Harvard
Friday, June 02
Highlights from 2022 Gary Walters ’67 PVC Awards Banquet
Wednesday, June 22