Jacob David Elmore (born June 15, 1987) is an American former

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Mod ...

infielder An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field. Standard arrangement of positions In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles. ...

. He has played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. Since its inception ...

Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division. The Brewers are named for t ...

, and

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...

. While most often a shortstop, Elmore is one of a handful of MLB players who have played pitcher and catcher in the same game. Elmore was also the 14th player in MLB history to play all nine positions throughout a season with the Houston Astros (2013).

Early life

Elmore grew up in

Pleasant Grove, Alabama Pleasant Grove is a city in western Jefferson County, Alabama. It is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area. Its nickname is "The Good Neighbor City". At the 2020 census, the population was 9,544. History It was established in 1889, but inco ...

, a suburb of Birmingham, and played baseball at Pleasant Grove High School. He attended

Wallace State Community College Wallace State Community College (formally George C Wallace State Community College) is a public community college in Hanceville, Alabama. Founded in 1966 as the George C. Wallace State Trade School of Cullman County, the college currently enro ...

in 2006 and 2007, where he played as a second baseman. Elmore transferred to

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public research university in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, ASU is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the ...

, where he continued his college baseball career with the

Arizona State Sun Devils The Arizona State Sun Devils are the athletic teams that represent Arizona State University. ASU has nine men's and eleven women's varsity teams competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as a member o ...

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

Elmore was drafted by the

in the 34th round, 1038th overall, of the

2008 Major League Baseball draft The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008. First round selections ;Key Supplemental first rou ...

. After signing, Elmore made his professional debut with the rookie-level

Missoula Osprey The Missoula PaddleHeads are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Missoula, Montana, and play their home games at Ogren Park ...

, slashing .296/.390/.464. In 2009, Elmore played for the Single-A

South Bend Silver Hawks South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz' ...

, posting a .258/.365/.351 slash line with 3 home runs and 38 RBI. The next year, he played for the Double-A

Mobile BayBears The Mobile BayBears were a Minor League Baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which played in the Southern League, served as the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres (1997–2006), Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2 ...

, logging a .278/.374/.345 slash line with 2 home runs and 31 RBI. Elmore returned to Mobile for the 2011 season, playing in 121 games and batting .270/.362/.349 with 3 home runs and 41 RBI. In 2012, Elmore began the year with the Triple-A

Reno Aces The Reno Aces are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Reno, Nevada, and play their home games at Greater Nevada Field, which opened in 2009. ...

, hitting .344/.442/.465 with 1 home run and a career-high 73 RBI. Elmore was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the majors for the first time on August 11, 2012. On August 16, 2012, he recorded his first career hit, and finished the game 2-for-4 with a double. Elmore finished his rookie season with a .191 batting average with 0 home runs, 7 runs batted in 30 games.

Houston Astros

On November 1, 2012, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the

. He began the 2013 season with the Triple-A

Oklahoma City RedHawks Oklahoma (; Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, New ...

of the

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

. He was recalled by the Astros on June 25. On August 19, 2013, Elmore became the 14th player in

MLB Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

history to catch and pitch in the same game. After replacing

Carlos Corporan Carlos may refer to: Places ;Canada * Carlos, Alberta, a locality ;United States * Carlos, Indiana, an unincorporated community * Carlos, Maryland, a place in Allegany County * Carlos, Minnesota, a small city * Carlos, West Virginia ;Elsewhere ...

as the catcher in the fourth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers, Elmore was again called upon in the eighth inning, but this time to pitch. He retired the Rangers in order on 11 pitches. Commenting on the feat, manager

Bo Porter Marquis Donnell "Bo" Porter (born July 5, 1972) is a former MLB player. He is also a coach who was most recently a special assistant to the Braves GM and former third base/outfield and base running coach for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Ba ...

said, "Elmore should probably be in the icetub, icing every part of his body."

Chicago White Sox

On November 20, 2013, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...

. The White Sox designated Elmore for assignment on February 26, 2014.

Oakland Athletics

Elmore was traded to the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...

on February 27, 2014. Elmore was then optioned to the Triple-A

Sacramento River Cats The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to 2015, the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics for 15 yea ...

and spent the first two and a half months of the 2014 season on the DL due to a strained left quadriceps. Oakland designated Elmore for assignment on July 31, 2014.

Cincinnati Reds

On August 2, 2014, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the

, and sent to the Triple-A

Louisville Bats The Louisville Bats are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Louisville, Kentucky, and are named in dual reference to the bat, win ...

. On November 5, 2014, the Reds re-signed Elmore after outrighting him to Louisville on November 3.

Tampa Bay Rays

On November 7, 2014, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the

from the Reds. The Pirates designated him for assignment on January 20, 2015. He declined his outright assignment, became a free agent, and subsequently signed a minor league deal with the

on February 9, 2015. Elmore was called up to the Rays on April 22 due to injuries. He split the year between the Triple-A

Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened in ...

and Tampa Bay, slashing .206/.263/.284 with 4 RBI in 51 major league games. On November 6, 2015, he was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Milwaukee Brewers

On December 14, 2015, Elmore signed a minor league deal with the

. The Brewers purchased his contract from the

Colorado Springs Sky Sox The Colorado Springs Sky Sox were a Minor League Baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team played in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and was the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2018), Colorado Rockie ...

on June 28, 2016, and Elmore made his first start for Milwaukee that day at second base. He appeared in 59 games for the Brewers, mostly as a

pinch hitter In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute Batting (baseball), batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the dead ball (baseball), ball is dead (not in active play); the manager (baseball), manager may use any player who has not yet ...

. After hitting .218/.371/.244 on the season, Milwaukee chose to outright Elmore to Triple-A on October 28, 2016. Elmore rejected the assignment and opted for free agency.

Toronto Blue Jays

On February 9, 2017, Elmore signed a minor league contract with the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...

that included an invitation to spring training. He was later assigned to the Triple-A

Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...

. In 94 games with Buffalo, Elmore batted .231/.321/.273 with 1 home run and 36 RBI.

Miami Marlins

On August 14, 2017, Elmore was traded to the

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park. The franc ...

organization, and assigned to the Triple-A

New Orleans Baby Cakes The New Orleans Baby Cakes (formerly the New Orleans Zephyrs) were a Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They were located in Metairie, Louisiana, a sub ...

. In 16 games for New Orleans, Elmore went 14-for-52 with 5 RBI. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

Second stint with White Sox

On February 8, 2018, Elmore signed a minor league contract with the

organization. He spent the season with the Triple-A

Charlotte Knights The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field, which opened in 20 ...

, posting a .289/.397/.359 slash line with 1 home run and 27 RBI in 101 games. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018. Elmore re-signed with the White Sox on a new minor league deal on January 14, 2019.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Elmore was traded to the

on March 28, 2019 and was assigned to the Triple-A

Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory Field, which open ...

. His contract was selected by the Pirates on May 13. After going 1-for-20 at the plate in just under two weeks with the Pirates, Elmore was designated for assignment on May 26. He cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Triple-A three days later. On September 17, the Pirates selected Elmore's contract and he hit .345 after being recalled. Elmore was outrighted off the Pirates roster on October 25 and elected free agency on October 31. Elmore resigned with the Pirates organization during the off-season but was released on June 9, 2020.

Cleveland Indians

On July 3, 2020, Elmore signed a minor league deal with the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...

organization. He spent time at the alternate training site that was set up because of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

. The Indians released Elmore on September 4, 2020.

Philadelphia Phillies

On June 13, 2021, Elmore signed a minor league contract with the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...

organization. Elmore appeared in 15 games for the Triple-A

Lehigh Valley IronPigs The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and are named in reference to pig iron, used in the ...

, hitting .225 with 0 home runs and 9 RBI's. On August 24, 2021, Elmore was released by the Phillies.

Post-playing career

On February 22, 2022, Elmore was hired by the

organization to serve as the hitting coach for the club's Low-A affiliate, the

Clearwater Threshers The Clearwater Threshers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Clearwater, Florida, and have played their home games at BayCare Ballpark since 2 ...

References

External links

Arizona State Sun Devils bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elmore, Jake 1987 births Living people Sportspeople from Dothan, Alabama People from Pleasant Grove, Alabama Baseball players from Alabama Arizona Diamondbacks players Houston Astros players Cincinnati Reds players Tampa Bay Rays players Milwaukee Brewers players Pittsburgh Pirates players Wallace State Lions baseball players Arizona State Sun Devils baseball players Missoula Osprey players South Bend Silver Hawks players Mobile BayBears players Reno Aces players Oklahoma City RedHawks players Sacramento River Cats players Louisville Bats players Durham Bulls players Colorado Springs Sky Sox players Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players New Orleans Baby Cakes players Charlotte Knights players Indianapolis Indians players Gigantes del Cibao players American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic