Skip to main content

Veteran Fox leaves affiliated ball to fulfill dream in Korea

J Fox-TUG
Fox with Reading in 2014, image- Tug Haines
Local minor league fans may have been surprised not to see former Phillies farm hand Jake Fox visiting with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Reading this week. The faithful Jake Fox Nation barely had enough time to catch on to which organization the veteran had jumped to this season, before Fox switched teams again, ditching the States for Korea.

The 32-year-old is the type of player that makes and keeps fans where ever he goes. A one-time 3rd round draft pick of the Cubs, Fox made it to the majors in Chicago and with Baltimore. He has also played in the Dominican Winter League as well as in Mexico, where he was nicknamed "El Sangre" (The Blood), and in the independent Atlantic League. All the while, he's made fans that root for him no matter what uniform he dons, as they travel to see him in different cities when they can.

During his second stint with the Phillies' organization last year, the Indiana native posted a .308/.373/.591 slash line in 78 games with Double-A Reading.

With numbers worthy of a promotion and failure by the Phils to deliver one, Fox saw a higher ceiling elsewhere and decided to sign with Toronto over the off-season despite the Phillies wanting him back.

Fox was always focused on climbing back to the majors, however, playing in Asia was something Fox wanted to do before his days on the diamond were over. He kept the lines of communication open, hoping to play in Korea or Japan for the past couple years. Lucky for Fox, a team in Korea, the Hanwha Eagles, was interested so much that they bought out his contract with the Blue Jays.

"We came to terms toward the end of last week," Fox explained over e-mail this week. "I was on a plane Saturday morning and arrived in Daejeon Sunday evening. I am very happy to be here and look forward to learning a new culture and style of baseball."

Fox, a cerebral slugger, is known to play games in the locker room like chess and spades, which force players to have a plan and think ahead.  He picks apart opposing pitchers' mental approach, steadily analyzing.  He has traveled internationally to experience different styles of the game.  The six-foot tall 220-pounder thrives on challenges and a challenge that has escaped him until recently was competing in Asia.

A challenge that has escaped him until recently was competing in Asia.

"The reason I have been trying to play here is...this is the only place I have not played in my career and I want to be able to say I have played everywhere this game has to offer when my career is done. I can truly say that I have played baseball at any and every level this game can offer," Fox said.

Often praised for being a teacher of the game, Fox, who regularly gets credit from his teammates as being like an extra coach, feels the experience playing overseas will assist with his anticipated career after his playing days are through.

"I hope to stay in the game in some capacity when I am done (playing) and I hope this experience will allow me to be well rounded in dealing with players. Not only will it give me a different perspective on how the game is played, it will allow me to identify and understand any player I may deal with in the future."

Fox, who debuted with the Eagles on Thursday after a short stint with their minor league team, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a remarkable diving catch in his initial game for the Eagles, is already loving the new league.

"The baseball here is very good and the fans are extremely energetic," Fox explained. "I have never played in an atmosphere as electric as this. The games are a lot of fun and every day feels like game seven. I am having a great time so far and I look forward to seeing where this path may take me."
For this latest journey, Fox is regularly updating his Facebook page in order for the his legions of fans across the globe can keep tabs on him. Link here.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve