Jacob May

Jacob Alexander May

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 175 lb.
• School Coastal Carolina University
• High School Lakota West High School
• Debut April 4, 2017
• Final Game May 1, 2017
• Born January 23, 1992 in Williamsport, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

The grandson of big leaguer Lee May and son of minor leaguer Lee May Jr., outfielder Jacob May was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 39th round of the 2010 amateur draft but did not sign, opting to attend Coastal Carolina University instead. He was then taken by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 2013 amateur draft. He soon signed with the Sox for a $525,000 bonus and made his pro debut with the Great Falls Voyagers on June 20th, going 1-for-4 against the Billings Mustangs. He hit .378 in 12 games before gaining a promotion to the Kannapolis Intimidators of the [South Atlantic League]]. There, he hit .286 with 8 homers in 54 games. His combined line in 66 games was a very solid .303/.372/.458.

In 2014, Jacob moved to the Winston-Salem Dash of the Carolina League where he hit.258/.326/.3915 in 109 games. He then started the 2015 season in AA with the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League but was limited to 98 games by an injury. He also played 3 games with the AZL White Sox on a rehabilitation assignment. With Birmingham, he hit .275 with 2 homers and 32 RBIs. He represented the United States in the 2015 WBSC Premier 12 that fall. In 2016, he was in AAA for the first time, with the Charlotte Knights and hit .266 with 1 homer and 24 RBIs.

While his power had largely disappeared after his first professional season, the White Sox liked his speed, as indicated by seasons of 37, 38 and 19 steals from 2014-2016, as well as his outfield defence. He went to spring training with the big league team in 2017 and made the opening day roster as a back-up outfielder. His major league debut came in the team's first game, against the Detroit Tigers on April 4th when he went 0 for 4 as his team's starting centerfielder and 9th place hitter. He did not get a hit that day, and in his third week of major league play, he was still looking for that elusive safety, having started the year 0 for 24. That said his grandfather Lee May had taken over a year after his debut to get his first hit, after starting out 0 for 14. He did eventually get a hit, but finished April at 1 for 33 (.030). He did hit a single on May 1st, but was sent down after the game with his average at .056 with 3 RBIs and 3 walks in 15 games. He never made it back to the Show after that demotion.

Related Sites

• Jacob May on mlb.com
• BR Minors page
• Coastal Carolina University bio