Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Jake Fraley

Jake Fraley (born May 25, 1995, in ) is an American professional baseball for the of (MLB). Standing at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and weighing 206 pounds (93 kg), he bats and throws left-handed. Fraley attended , where he played college baseball for the LSU Tigers. He was selected by the in the competitive balance round B of the 2016 MLB draft (77th overall pick) out of LSU and signed with the team on June 26, 2016. Fraley made his MLB debut on August 21, 2019, with the Mariners, to whom he had been traded on November 8, 2018, along with outfielder Mallex Smith in exchange for catcher Mike Zunino, outfielder Guillermo Heredia, and pitcher Michael Plassmeyer. Over his MLB career, he has played for the Mariners (2019–2021), (2022–2025), (2025), and Rays (2025–present), appearing in 472 games with a .248 , 47 home runs, 179 runs batted in, and 61 stolen bases. In 2025, Fraley split time between the Reds and Braves, batting .241 with 6 home runs and 23 RBIs in 76 games before being claimed off waivers by the Rays on November 6, 2025, following his designation for assignment by the Braves. Primarily a , he has also logged significant in left field and center field throughout his career.

Amateur career

High school

Jake Arnold Fraley was born on May 25, 1995, in , before his family relocated to during his early years. Fraley began his high school career at Red Lion Christian Academy in , where he played for three seasons before transferring to Caravel Academy in , for his senior year. As a junior at Red Lion Christian Academy, he hit .536 and earned first-team All-State honors, showcasing his potential as one of the state's top prospects. At Caravel Academy, Fraley continued his strong performance, batting .492 as a senior and earning All-State recognition for the second consecutive season. Additionally, he was named to the 2013 1st Team Louisville Slugger All-American, 2013 Preseason Player of the Year, and 1st Team All-Region. He was a three-time member of the Academic Honor Roll, balancing athletic success with academic excellence. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighing 185 pounds (84 kg) with a left-handed swing, Fraley's athletic build and skills drew attention from college scouts, leading to his commitment to .

College

Jake Fraley attended (LSU) from 2014 to 2016, where he played as a left-handed for the team. Building on his high school All-State recognition, Fraley quickly adapted to collegiate competition in the (SEC). As a in 2014, Fraley appeared in 49 games, batting .372 with 45 hits, including 3 home runs and 29 RBIs, while stealing 8 bases. His strong debut earned him Second-Team Freshman All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and Freshman of the Week recognition on April 29 after a week in which he hit .533 with 6 RBIs. He also received Second-Team All-Louisiana honors that season. In his sophomore year of 2015, Fraley started 58 games, hitting .307 with 69 hits, 2 home runs, 35 RBIs, and a career-high 23 stolen bases for the Tigers, who advanced to the . His contributions helped LSU secure the championship that season. Fraley's junior campaign in 2016 marked his most productive, as he started all 66 games in center field, batting .326 with 87 hits, 5 home runs, 36 RBIs, 10 doubles, 6 triples, and 28 stolen bases. He was named to the 2016 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team and received the Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of LSU , along with Second-Team All-Louisiana honors. Over his at LSU, Fraley compiled a .328 with 201 hits, 10 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases in 173 games. After his junior year, Fraley declared for the 2016 MLB Draft, highlighted by scouts for his blend of speed—evidenced by his 28 stolen bases—and emerging power in SEC play.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Rays

Fraley was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in competitive balance round B of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, 77th overall, out of Louisiana State University. He signed with the organization for a $797,500 bonus, slightly below the slot value of $826,200. Fraley began his professional career in 2016 with the Short-Season A , where he batted .238 with one and a league-leading 33 stolen bases in 55 games, showcasing his speed and gap power with nine doubles and seven triples. In 2017, injuries limited him to 26 games at , where he batted .170 with one and one . The following year, Fraley played 66 games at , batting .347 with four home runs and 11 stolen bases, limited by further injuries. Throughout his tenure in the Rays' system, Fraley refined his plate discipline, drawing walks at a solid rate and consistently reaching 20 or more stolen bases each season, though injuries limited his playing time in 2017 and 2018. He did not make a Major League appearance with the Rays. On November 8, 2018, Fraley was traded to the Mariners along with outfielder in exchange for catcher , outfielder Guillermo Heredia, and pitcher .

Seattle Mariners

Fraley was acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the on November 8, 2018, as part of a trade that sent Mike , Guillermo Heredia, and pitcher Michael to in exchange for Mallex and Fraley; the deal aimed to add speed and depth to Seattle's outfield. Following the trade, Fraley spent the 2019 season in the Mariners' system, starting at Double-A before a promotion to Triple-A , where he hit .276 with eight home runs and 33 in 38 games. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the , limiting Fraley to play with the Mariners that year. Fraley made his MLB debut on August 21, 2019, starting in center field against the and going 0-for-3 while scoring a run. His first came two days later on August 23, 2019, a single to right field off Blue Jays pitcher Thomas Pannone in the second inning. In 46 games across 2019 and 2020 with , Fraley batted .152 with no home runs and one . Fraley's most significant contributions with the Mariners came in , when he appeared in 78 games, primarily as a left fielder, posting a .210 with nine home runs, 36 , and 10 stolen bases while drawing 46 walks. He provided versatile outfield defense and occasional speed off the bench, helping to rotate with Seattle's group of corner outfielders amid injuries and roster adjustments. On March 14, 2022, prior to the start of the regular season, Fraley was traded to the along with pitchers and Brandon Williamson, plus a (infielder ), in exchange for Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suárez.

Cincinnati Reds

Fraley joined the via trade from the Seattle Mariners on March 14, 2022, in a deal that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to Seattle in exchange for Fraley, pitchers and Brandon Williamson, and a (). He made his Reds debut early in the 2022 season, appearing in 68 games primarily as an and platoon bat against right-handed pitching. In his first year with the club, Fraley posted a .259 with 12 home runs and 28 RBIs, while stealing 4 bases, providing solid power from the left side in limited action. Fraley's performance improved in the following seasons, establishing him as a reliable contributor in Cincinnati's outfield. In 2023, he played 111 games, slashing .256/.339/.443 with 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a team-high 21 stolen bases among regulars, showcasing his speed and gap power. The 2024 campaign saw further consistency, as he appeared in 116 games with a .277 average, 5 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases, despite a brief absence on July 5 when placed on the family medical emergency list. Throughout his Reds tenure, Fraley primarily patrolled left field while occasionally shifting to right, earning praise for his defensive range in the spacious Great American Ball Park, where he made several highlight-reel catches on fly balls to the warning track. The 2025 season proved challenging for Fraley amid injuries and roster congestion. Limited to 67 games with the , he batted .232 with 6 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases before being sidelined. He suffered a right shoulder sprain in late June, landing on the 10-day retroactive to June 24, and later dealt with a partially torn that required a shot to play through, as well as a hyperextended right knee on August 16. These setbacks, combined with an logjam featuring healthier options, led the to designate Fraley for assignment on August 17, 2025. His time in was marked by steady production as a lefty specialist.

Atlanta Braves

On August 19, 2025, the claimed Jake Fraley off waivers from the , following a hyperextended right on August 16. Fraley made his Braves debut on August 27, 2025, against the , going 3-for-5 with a double while batting eighth in the lineup and playing right field. In 9 games with , Fraley batted .304 (7-for-23) with one double, providing outfield depth during a period of injuries to key players like and others in the Braves' outfield corps. He primarily hit in the eighth spot, contributing defensively with solid play in left and right field, though he recorded no home runs or RBIs in his limited action. His brief stint helped stabilize the lineup during a late-summer stretch, but Fraley's season ended prematurely when he was placed on the 10-day on September 11, 2025 (retroactive to that date), due to a strained right muscle. On November 4, 2025, the Braves designated Fraley for assignment. Across the 2025 season with the Reds and Braves, Fraley posted a .241 batting average with 6 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 76 games.

Tampa Bay Rays (2025–present)

On November 6, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed Fraley off waivers from the Atlanta Braves, reuniting him with his drafting organization.

Personal life

Family

Jake Fraley was born on May 25, 1995, in , to parents Marvin and Traci Fraley, in a Christian household that included an older sister, Lauren, and two younger brothers. His early interest in was sparked at age five while watching an game on television, prompting him to tell his father he wanted to play the sport professionally; this passion was nurtured through participation in local youth leagues in the area. Fraley met his future wife, Caceres, during his college years at , where they were introduced through a mutual connection involving his teammate's wife. The couple married on October 21, 2016, in Miami, Florida. has been a steadfast supporter of Fraley's career, frequently sharing updates and encouragement on her account, where she highlights family moments tied to his professional journey. Fraley and Angelica have two children: a son, Jayce, born in 2017, and a daughter, Avery, born in late 2018. The family has relocated multiple times in line with Fraley's MLB career, including moves to following his 2019 trade to the Mariners and to after his 2022 trade to the , with Angelica playing a key role in maintaining stability amid these transitions. Public posts from Angelica often feature the family attending games and enjoying vacations, underscoring their close-knit dynamic and her emphasis on work-life balance during Fraley's demanding schedule. In 2024, the family navigated a that briefly tested their resilience, yet they emerged stronger through mutual support.

Health challenges

In the fall of 2023, during the ' late-season playoff push, Jake Fraley's four-year-old daughter, Avery, was diagnosed with after experiencing severe that prompted multiple visits and room trips. Treatment began immediately at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where Avery underwent as part of a multi-year protocol. The family publicly shared Avery's diagnosis on December 11, 2023, via an post from Fraley's wife, , emphasizing their faith and optimism amid the challenge. Avery's continued through the 2024 season, with Fraley taking family leave on multiple occasions to support her, including placement on the family medical emergency list from July 5 to July 10, 2024, for follow-up care related to her ongoing maintenance phase. On January 29, 2024, announced that Avery had achieved remission, with her latest scan showing no detectable cells, marking a significant milestone after months of intensive . The ordeal profoundly shaped Fraley's outlook, as he described in 2025 interviews how supporting through her illness brought him a sense of and helped him reprioritize over , viewing the experience as a testament to and . Despite the emotional toll, remained in remission as of April 2025, continuing her maintenance therapy while the family focused on her long-term recovery.

References

  1. [1]
    Jake Fraley Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
    Jake Fraley Bio · Fullname: Jake Arnold Fraley · Born: 5/25/1995 in Frederick, MD · Draft: 2016, Tampa Bay Rays, Round: CB-B, Overall Pick: 77 · College: Louisiana ...
  2. [2]
    Jake Fraley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More
    Jake Fraley ; Position: Outfielder ; Bats: Left ; Throws: Left ; Team: Tampa Bay Rays (majors).
  3. [3]
    https://www.mlb.com/press-release/rays-complete-5-player-trade-with-mariners-300432636
  4. [4]
    Caravel grad Fraley called up by Seattle Mariners, gets first MLB hit
    Aug 24, 2019 · A Middletown resident, Fraley attended Red Lion Christian Academy until transferring to Caravel for his senior year. He was first-team All ...
  5. [5]
    All-State Baseball: Delaware - ESPN
    Hit .340 with five home runs as a junior. Jake Fraley, Red Lion Christian Academy, OF/1B, Junior One of state's top prospects has already committed to LSU.
  6. [6]
    Jake Fraley - LSU Athletics
    #8 Jake Fraley Season 2026 ; Position. Outfield ; Height. 6'0 ; Weight. 188 ; Class. Junior ; Hometown. Middletown, Del.
  7. [7]
    Jake Fraley Class of 2013 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA
    Jake Fraley is a 2013 OF with a 6-1 185 lb. frame from Middletown, DE who attends Red Lion Christian Academy. Nice athletic build, live bodied actions, projects ...Missing: Delaware | Show results with:Delaware
  8. [8]
    Jake Fraley Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics
    High School: Caravel Academy (Bear, DE). School: Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA) · Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2021 season. 2025 ...Missing: Delaware | Show results with:Delaware
  9. [9]
    LSU's rising star in the OF, Jake Fraley, is tabbed SEC Freshman of ...
    Apr 29, 2014 · LSU's Jake Fraley was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Tuesday. (LSU Sports Information | LSUsports.net). It's been a busy and productive ...
  10. [10]
    Fraley Promoted to Big Leagues by Mariners - LSU Athletics
    Aug 20, 2019 · Fraley batted . 326 (87-for-267) in 2016 with 10 doubles, six triples, five homers, 61 runs, 36 RBI and 28 steals in 38 attempts.
  11. [11]
    Jared Poche, Jake Fraley earn LSU baseball team awards | Sports
    May 31, 2016 · Scholar Athlete Award and junior outfielder Jake Fraley took home the Skip Bertman Award, which goes to the player who best exemplifies the ...Missing: 2014-2016 | Show results with:2014-2016
  12. [12]
    Rays agree with No. 77 overall pick Fraley - MLB.com
    Jun 20, 2016 · CLEVELAND -- The Rays and their third 2016 Draft pick (77th overall), Jake Fraley, have agreed on an $800000 deal.
  13. [13]
    2016 Draft: Signing and Bonus Tracker - MLB.com
    Jul 15, 2016 · $1,500,000 (Pick value: $838,900) Starting assignment: Rookie-level Danville 77. TB - Jake Fraley, OF, LSU $797,500 (Pick value: $826,200)
  14. [14]
    Jake Fraley Career Stats - Baseball America
    Year, Age, Club, Lg, Class, G, PA, AB, AVG, OBP, SLG, R, H, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, SB, CS, BB, SO, TB, HBP. 2016, 21. Hudson Valley. NYP, A(Short), 55, 239, 206 ...<|separator|>
  15. [15]
    Jake Fraley #8 - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
    Status: Active ; Born: 5/25/1995 in Frederick, MD ; Draft: 2016, Tampa Bay Rays, Round: CB-B, Overall Pick: 77 ; College: Louisiana State ; MLB Debut: 8/21/2019.
  16. [16]
    Jake Fraley Stats & Scouting Report - Baseball America
    Tasked with replacing Nationals prospect Andrew Stevenson as Louisiana State's center fielder in 2016, Fraley immediately stepped up and excelled for the Tigers ...<|separator|>
  17. [17]
    Rays complete 5-player trade with Mariners - MLB.com
    Nov 8, 2018 · Schedule · 2025 Postseason · 2025 Regular Season ... Mariners in exchange for outfielder Mallex Smith and minor league outfielder Jake Fraley.
  18. [18]
    Mariners acquire outfielder Mallex Smith & MiLB OF Jake Fraley ...
    Nov 8, 2018 · He was traded from Atlanta to Seattle on Jan. 11, 2017 but was a Mariner very briefly before being traded to Tampa Bay later in the day as ...
  19. [19]
    Jake Fraley makes MLB debut for Mariners
    Aug 21, 2019 · Acquired by Seattle from the Rays as the key return in the Mike Zunino trade on Nov. 8 along with Mallex Smith, Fraley is eager to show the ...
  20. [20]
    TOR@SEA: Fraley singles for his 1st career hit | 08/23/2019 | MLB.com
    Aug 23, 2019 · Jake Fraley rips a single to right field in the bottom of the 2nd inning for his first career hit.Missing: date | Show results with:date
  21. [21]
    Jake Fraley traded to Cincinnati Reds in Jesse Winker deal
    Mar 14, 2022 · As part of the trade Monday that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners, the Cincinnati Reds got Justin Dunn, Jake Fraley, ...
  22. [22]
    Jake Fraley, Atlanta Braves, RF - News, Stats, Bio - CBS Sports
    Player Bio. HT/WT: 5-11, 206 lbs. Birthplace: Frederick, MD. Age: ...
  23. [23]
    Jake Fraley makes Braves debut in major lineup shakeup
    Jake Fraley will be making his Braves debut and will play RF, and Vidal Bruján will be getting the start at SS. Interestingly, Ozzie Albies is ...
  24. [24]
    2025 Atlanta Braves Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com
    2025 Atlanta Braves Statistics. 2024 Season. Record: 76-86, 4th place ... Jake Fraley*, 30, OF, 0.0, 9, 24, 23, 2, 7, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 8 .304 .2025 Atlanta Braves Schedule · Matt Olson · Ronald Acuña Jr. · Austin Riley
  25. [25]
    Jake Fraley, Atlanta Braves, RF - 2025 Splits Stats - MLB - CBS Sports
    Get up-to-date stats and splits for Atlanta Braves RF Jake Fraley during the 2025 MLB season on CBS Sports.
  26. [26]
    "Best birthday present I could have ever asked for" - Cincinnati Reds ...
    Jan 31, 2024 · Fraley and Angelica Caceres married on Oct. 21, 2016, in Miami, Florida. The couple is parents to two children, a daughter, Avery and a son, ...
  27. [27]
    Delaware native hit low point, then turned major league career around
    Aug 23, 2022 · For Fraley's family, it was the second leg of three cities to see Jake play. There was Marvin and Traci; Jake's brother, Andrew; Jake's wife, ...Missing: born Frederick Maryland relocation
  28. [28]
    Every day is Father's Day for Mariners prospect Jake Fraley
    Jun 13, 2019 · The Fraleys are together nearly all of the time during dad's minor-league grind, and they wouldn't have it any other way.
  29. [29]
    Jake Fraley's wife Angelica drops 4-word reaction for Hunter ...
    Apr 9, 2025 · Angelica is a big supporter of her husband and the Cincinnati Reds, the team Jake Fraley plays for. She often shows her support for the team and ...
  30. [30]
    Angelica Fraley (@angelicafraley) • Instagram photos and videos
    6.5K+ followers · 1.7K+ following · 717 posts · @angelicafraley: “Believer Wife to @jakefraley_ & mom to two perfect babies ”Missing: social career
  31. [31]
    Jake Fraley's wife Angelica captures son Jayce displaying ...
    Apr 19, 2024 · Jake Fraley and wife Angelica Fraley are a nuclear family of four, consisting of their two kids, a son, Jayce, and a daughter, Avery.Missing: children | Show results with:children
  32. [32]
    Jake Fraley placed on family medical emergency list - MLB.com
    Jul 5, 2024 · Fraley placed on family medical leave but reports are 'Avery's fine'. July 5th, 2024. Mike Petraglia. Share. Fraley placed on family medical ...
  33. [33]
    Wife of Reds outfielder Jake Fraley announces daughter's leukemia ...
    Dec 11, 2023 · Angelica Fraley announced their daughter Avery's diagnosis on Instagram Sunday, saying the family chose to make her fight against cancer public.
  34. [34]
    How Reds' Jake Fraley finds strength to fight daughter's cancer ...
    Apr 4, 2024 · Fraley said his daughter is in full remission, an extremely positive sign. But she still has to go through the chemotherapy protocols for nearly two years.
  35. [35]
    Reds rally around Jake Fraley amid daughter's leukemia diagnosis
    Mar 15, 2024 · The 28-year-old and his wife, Angelica, learned in the fall that their five-year-old daughter, Avery, was diagnosed with leukemia.
  36. [36]
    How Cincinnati Reds' Jake Fraley 'thrived' through toughest winter
    Feb 16, 2024 · Jake Fraley and his wife Angelica learned last fall that their daughter Avery, who had been dealing with debilitating back pain, had acute lymphocytic leukemia.Missing: rang | Show results with:rang
  37. [37]
    Family of Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley reveals daughter's ...
    Dec 11, 2023 · The Reds expect him to make a full recovery before Spring Training. Fraley, 28, joined the Reds in 2022 following a trade with the Seattle ...
  38. [38]
    The Reds place Jake Fraley on the family medical emergency list
    Jul 5, 2024 · Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley will be out for three-to-seven days on the family medical emergency list.
  39. [39]
    Daughter of Reds' Jake Fraley in remission after leukemia diagnosis
    Jan 29, 2024 · Then, on Sunday, the family shared the news that Avery is in remission after no leukemia was detected in their latest tests. "The face of a girl ...Missing: exact date<|separator|>
  40. [40]
    5-year-old daughter of Cincinnati Reds' Jake Fraley is in remission ...
    Jan 30, 2024 · Angelica Fraley wrote on Instagram that Avery's latest bone marrow scan did not detect any leukemia. “We still have a few months of frontline ...
  41. [41]
    How Cincinnati Reds Jake Fraley found peace in daughter's road to ...
    Apr 17, 2025 · Jake Fraley has baseball in perspective after his 6-year-old daughter Avery's year-plus-long battle with leukemia.
  42. [42]
    Reds' Jake Fraley 'walking with Jesus' as daughter battles cancer
    Apr 3, 2024 · His 5-year-old daughter, Avery, is in remission after undergoing chemotherapy following a leukemia diagnosis this past fall. She was in the ...