ANAHEIM, CALIF. – The Twins have signed some of their picks from last week's Major League Baseball draft, including one player who is trying to work around a military commitment to pursue his dreams.
Griffin Jax, a righthanded pitcher from Air Force Academy, has signed for $645,600, which is the bonus figure recommended by the league for that slot in the draft. He would be the first player from Air Force to play in the majors.
Jax was taken in the third round (93rd overall), and some feel he would have went earlier if not for him having to meet his military obligations following graduation. He would have to serve five years, but could apply for a two-year plan and serve the remainder in the reserves.
Griffin, for now, is going pitch for the Twins' rookie league team in Elizabethton, Tenn., then return to school in the fall to complete his education.
But Griffin is going to ask the Air Force to be appointed to the reserves upon his graduation. Troy Garnhart, the sports information director at Air Force, said there is a way Griffin could have his military service deferred, join the reserves and train with them a minimum of 30 days a year. Jax will submit a copy of his signed contract along with his request.
"We have the utmost confidence that he will be pitching with us beyond his graduation,'' Twins scouting director Deron Johnson said.
Jax, the son of former NFL lineman Garth Jax, has a fastball that can touch 94 to 95 miles per hour and throws a good changeup. He was 9-2 with a 2.05 ERA for the Falcons.
"You have to look at from the big picture and not from the military commitment,'' said David Matranga, Jax's agent. "If you believe he's a big leaguer, those are the kids you want.''
