The Rays announced Thursday morning that they have designated catcher Alex Jackson for assignment and selected left-hander Mason Montgomery from Triple-A Durham. Additionally, lefty Tyler Alexander was optioned to Durham, and infielder Austin Shenton was recalled.
Jackson, 28, has been the backup catcher for the Rays all season, making 158 plate appearances despite a lackluster .122/.201/.237 batting line and a high 34.2% strikeout rate. While his defense has been solid, his struggles at the plate have prompted the team to likely replace him with the recently promoted Logan Driscoll. Driscoll has had a strong season in Durham and will now partner with defensive standout Ben Rortvedt as the Rays’ catching duo.
Originally drafted by the Mariners as the No. 6 overall pick in 2014, Jackson was once highly regarded for his raw power and standout high school performance. He was even considered for the No. 1 overall pick that year and was seen as a future middle-of-the-order hitter. The Mariners shifted him to right field early in his pro career to expedite his path to the majors, but his hit tool never fully developed. Since then, Jackson has bounced between teams in minor trades and contracts but has not found consistent success in the majors. Over five MLB seasons, he has batted .132/.224/.232 with a 41.8% strikeout rate in 340 plate appearances.
Though he has improved his defense as a catcher in the minors, his strikeout issues have persisted even at the Triple-A level, where his strikeout rate sits at 29.3%. Jackson will now go through waivers and could become a free agent if unclaimed.
Montgomery, 24, was a sixth-round pick by the Rays in 2021 and has been one of their top pitching prospects. Despite his current 6.26 ERA in Triple-A, he has a solid 26.1% strikeout rate and an 8.9% walk rate. His primary issue has been home runs, allowing 1.95 per nine innings. However, Montgomery transitioned to the bullpen in early August and has since been dominant, throwing 9 2/3 scoreless innings with 20 strikeouts. He provides the Rays with a fresh arm and could develop into a valuable relief option for manager Kevin Cash.
