Jordan Danks
From BR Bullpen
Jordan Cooper Danks
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5", Weight 209 lb.
- School University of Texas
- High School Round Rock High School
- Born August 7, 1986 in Austin, TX USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Outfielder Jordan Danks is the brother of John Danks. Like his brother, he starred in high school, hitting .486/?/1.105 as a senior with 18 steals and 42 runs in 76 games. He was a second-team Baseball America High School All-American and deemed to be a possible first-round draft pick like John. He decided instead to go to college but was chosen by the Chicago White Sox anyways in the 19th round of the 2005 amateur draft.
As a freshman in college, Jordan hit .319/.490/.684 and led the University of Texas in slugging. Collegiate Baseball named him a first-team freshman All-American though Baseball America did not rate him either first- or second- team.
Danks played for Team USA in the 2007 Pan-American Games. The leadoff hitter and center fielder, he went just 3 for 19 with six strikeouts but did draw five walks and scored a tournament-leading 7 runs while playing error-free ball for the Silver Medal winners. In the 2007 World Port Tournament, Danks hit .419/.500/.645 with 8 runs in 8 games and won the World Port Tournament Best Rookie award. He tied Yosvani Peraza for second in average behind Alfredo Despaigne, led in OBP and was 5th in slugging. He tied José Julio Ruíz for second in runs, three behind leader Hector Olivera.
Baseball America rated him the best college athlete entering the 2008 amateur draft but he was not taken in the first day's picks (6 rounds). The Chicago White Sox took him in the 7th round of the draft; his agent Scott Boras said he would be asking for first-rounder money. On June 9, 2008, the Danks family announced that both John and Jordan would be dropping Boras as their agent in favor of Jeff Berry. Danks signed with scouts Keith Staab and Derek Valenzuela right before the deadline.
Danks made his pro debut on August 20, going 1 for 4 with a RBI for the Kannapolis Intimidators.
Sources: 2006-2007 Baseball Almanacs, Texas Sports.com bio
