JENNINGS, DESMOND  
 
Image of    Nickname:   N/A Position:   OF
Home: N/A Team:   Retired
Height: 6' 2" Bats:   R
Weight: 200 Throws:   R
DOB: 10/30/1986 Agent: N/A
Birth City: Birmingham, Alabama Draft: Devil Rays #10 - 2006 - Out of Itawamba C.C. (MS)
Uniform #: N/A  
 
YR LEA TEAM SAL(K) G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO OBP SLG AVG
2006 APP PRINCETON   56 213 48 59 10 1 4 20 32 5 22 39 .360 .390 .277
2007 SAL COLUMBUS   99 387 75 122 21 5 9 37 45 15 45 53   .465 .315
2008 FSL VERO BEACH   24 85 17 22 5 1 2 6 5 2 14 16   .412 .259
2009 SL MONTGOMERY   100 383 69 120 25 8 8 45 37 5 48 52 .393 .483 .313
2009 IL DURHAM   32 115 23 37 6 2 3 17 15 2 19 15 .416 .487 .322
2010 IL DURHAM   108 399 82 111 25 6 3 36 37 4 47 67 .362 .393 .278
2010 AL RAYS   17 21 5 4 1 1 0 2 2 2 2 4 .292 .333 .190
2011 AL RAYS   63 247 44 64 9 4 10 25 20 6 31 59 .356 .449 .259
2011 IL DURHAM   89 338 68 93 19 3 12 39 17 1 45 78 .374 .456 .275
2012 IL DURHAM   3 12 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .167 .167 .167
2012 FSL CHARLOTTE   1 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 .667 .333
2012 AL RAYS $487.00 132 505 85 124 19 7 13 47 31 2 46 120 .314 .388 .246
2013 AL RAYS $502.00 139 527 82 133 31 6 14 54 20 8 64 115 .334 .414 .252
2013 FSL CHARLOTTE   1 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 .333 .333 .333
2014 AL RAYS $517.00 123 479 64 117 30 2 10 36 15 6 47 108 .319 .378 .244
2015 AL RAYS $3,100.00 28 97 9 26 2 1 1 7 5 3 8 17 .324 .340 .268
2015 FSL CHARLOTTE   2 7 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 .500 .429 .429
2015 IL DURHAM   7 21 2 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 .280 .238 .143
2016 FSL CHARLOTTE   4 15 2 4 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 1 .313 .533 .267
2016 AL RAYS $3,300.00 65 200 22 40 7 1 7 20 2 0 21 58 .281 .350 .200
2017 PCL LAS VEGAS   55 207 32 49 5 4 8 25 3 3 20 43 .301 .415 .237

  • In 2005, Jennings turned down the Indians as an 18th-round pick out of high school.

    Recruited by Alabama to play football, he wound up at Itawamba Community College in Mississippi. There, he earned JUCO all-America honors as a wide receiver when he led the nation with 6.75 catches per game in 2005.

  • He also starred in basketball in high school.

  • During the winter before 2007 spring training, the Baseball America Prospect Handbook rated Jennings as 30th-best prospect in the Rays' organization. But they moved him all the way up to #6 in the Rays' farm system in the spring of 2008. He was ranked at #5 in the winter before 2009 spring training.

    And then, in the spring of 2010, they had Jennings as the #1 prospect in the Rays organization. The offseason before 2011 spring training, they had Desmond as third best prospect in the Tampa Bay organization.

  • Desmond is a quiet young man off the field, laid-back and soft-spoken. But he brings a lot of energy to a team with his on-field skills and quickness. He is a live wire on the field.

    He has a strong work ethic.

  • On September 3, 2009, Jennings had a record-setting 7-for-7 night at the plate. Desmond had six singles and a double in the Bulls' 14-3 blowout victory over Charlotte to tie an International League record.

    "It was really exciting; I've never done that before," Jennings  said in a phone interview. "I really can't explain it."

    How rares is a 7 for 7? Only two players in Major League history have had seven hits in a nine-inning game: Hall of Famer Wilbert Robinson (Baltimore) on June 10, 1892, and the Pirates' Rennie Stennett on Sept. 16, 1975.

  • In 2009, Jennings was the MVP of the Southern League after second in hitting (.316), third in steals (37), fourth in on-base percentage (.395), and fifth in slugging (.486).

    And, he was named Rays' 2009 Minor League Player of the Year. Desmond was the only minor leaguer to post 50 extra-base hits and 50 steals in 2009.

  • "I think he'll make them forget about B.J. Upton," says one big league scout, of Jennings' departed center field predecessor. "He could be a star," says another scout. "He can fly, he's got strength. All he has to do is make better contact, and I think that he will. He's a dangerous guy." (Reiter: Sports Illustrated-4/25/13)

  • Walk-Up Music: Jennings picked a song with his initials, “Go DJ” by Lil Wayne. 

  • In 2015, Jennings arrived to Spring Training noticeably lighter than last season, when he showed up looking considerably larger than in previous seasons. 

    "It's a secret," Jennings said. "Can't let you know my secrets. I've been training. I've been hitting. Working hard the whole offseason. Trying to figure out a way to stay on the field for a full season."  (Chastain - mlb.com - 2/24/15)

    TRANSACTIONS

  • June 2006: The Devil Rays chose Jennings in the 10th round, out of Itawamba Community College in Mississippi. He signed him for $150,000, the highest bonus given to a 10th-round pick that year. Rickey Drexler is the scout who signed Jennings.

  • January 15, 2016: The Rays and Jennings avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract for $3.3 million.

    August 26, 2016: The Rays released Desmond.

  • Feb 9, 2017: The Reds organization signed free agent Jennings.


  • June 16, 2017: Jennings was released by the Mets organization.
PERSONAL:
 

  • Jennings has line-drive power and good bat speed. He should develop more home run power, giving him that much-sought-after combination of speed and power.

    He should develop into a solid leadoff hitter, getting on base a lot and hitting for a high batting average in the .300 area. And he should hit 15-20 home runs per season.

    (Editor's note: As of 2016, he turned out NOT to be a .300 hitter or able to hit 20 homers.)

  • Desmond is patient and works pitchers deep into the count. He has a real good idea, a quiet approach at the plate and a very discerning eye. His strike zone judgment might be the best in the Rays' organization (in 2008 and 2009). His head stays locked in, enabling him to see the ball well.

  • Jennings makes good contact. He can drive the ball to both fields. He just does not get fooled very often. He gets on a fastball real well, stays on the ball well and uses the entire field well.

    "Beating out infield hits and scoring runs by getting in scoring position and stealing bases—that's my game," Desmond said.

  • As of the start of the 2016 season, Desmond's career Major League stats were: .249 batting average, 48 home runs and 468 hits, with 171 RBI's in 1,876 at-bats.
BATTING:
 

  • Desmond is a very good center field. He has both the speed, the excellent first step and the instincts that allow him to cover a whole lot of ground. He gets a quick jump and takes good routes to the ball.

    Scouts rate his range at an outstanding 70 on the 20–80 scouting scale.

  • Jennings' arm is about average—nothing great, but adequate in both strength and accuracy, and plenty enough for center field—just not enough for right field.

    He has worked hard to max out his throwing mechanics, giving him an average arm through long-toss exercises.

  • Desmond really loves to play defense.

    "If I could, I'd play defense all nine innings and let somebody else hit," he said in 2009. "I love running balls down in the gaps and taking hits away from guys."

  • In 2010, International League managers named Jennings as the best baserunner, the best defensive outfielder, and the most exciting player in the league.
FIELDING:
 
  • Jennings has quick acceleration and runs and steals bases very well. He has excellent speed, 70 or maybe 75 on the 20–80 scouting scale. That speed is his most obvious tool on display.
  • He steals bases mostly on speed alone, outrunning throws. But he is learning technique.

  • Desmond has been clocked at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard-dash.

    BASE-STEALING

  • In the Minors, Jennings had a great stolen base success rate.

  • In 2006, Desmond led the Appy League in stolen bases (32 in 39 tries) and runs (48).

    In 2009, Desmond was successful on 52 of 59 stolen base attempts in the Southern League and International League, combined.

    In 2010, Jennings ranked second in the International League with 37 steals in 41 attempts.

    In 2011, he stole 17 bases in 18 attempts in the International League.

  • In the Majors with the Rays, Jennings has a good stolen base success rate. From 2010-2014, Jennings stole 88 bases in 122 attempts, 78%.
RUNNING:
 
  • August 14-end of 2007 season: Jennings was on the D.L., requiring arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn lateral meniscus in his right knee.

  • April 1-June 1, 2008: Desmond spent the first two months of the season on the D.L. with a back injury.

    While rehabbing that, Jennings dislocated his left shoulder in May, leaving him on the shelf for even longer.

  • July 2008: Jennings was on the D.L. He underwent shoulder sugery on his left shoulder, ending his season.
  • April-May 2010: Desmond began the season on the D.L. because of a sprained left wrist.
  • March 2012: Jennings was sidelined with soreness in his right shoulder.

  • May 7, 2012: Desmond underwent an MRI exam on his left knee, and the results showed a sprain.

    "I was hoping [the MRI] didn't come back with nothing," said the Rays left fielder. "But if it was anything, that was probably the best thing. It's not a good feeling either way, but I can live with what it is."

    May 12-June 5, 2012: Jennings was on the D.L. with sprained left knee.

  • August 4-19, 2013: Jennings was on the D.L. with a fracture of his left middle finger.

  • May 17-20, 2014: Desmond was on the bereavement list.

  • April 26, 2015: Jennings was on the D.L. with left knee soreness.

  • June 10-August 14, 2015: Desmond underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to clean up some inflammation of tissue. Dr. Steven Singleton performed the surgery in Vail, Colorado.

  • September 18, 2015: Desmond's disappointing 2015 season came to an unceremonious close as he told reporters he would not be playing again that season due to his condition following dental surgery.

    "Tooth infection," Jennings said. "And I had to get it taken care of because it got to a point where it was really bad, and I really can't do anything for awhile."

  • July 1-31, 2016: Desmond was on the DL with left hamstring strain.

  • Aug 3-26, 2016: Desmond was on the DL with left knee contusion.
CAREER INJURY REPORT:
 
 
Last Updated 5/9/2019 9:06:00 PM. All contents © 2000 by Player Profiles. All rights reserved.