{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1992)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Jake Cave |image = Jake Cave (47553905641) (cropped).jpg |caption = Cave with the Minnesota Twins in 2019 |width = |team = El Águila de Veracruz |number = 32 |position = Outfielder |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|12|4}} |birth_place = Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |bats = Left |throws = Left |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = May 19 |debutyear = 2018 |debutteam = Minnesota Twins |debut2league = KBO |debut2date = March 22 |debut2year = 2025 |debut2team = Doosan Bears |statyear = 2024 season |statleague = MLB |stat1label = Batting average |stat1value = .236 |stat2label = Home runs |stat2value = 45 |stat3label = Runs batted in |stat3value = 176 |stat2year = 2025 season |stat2league = KBO |stat21label = Batting average |stat21value = .299 |stat22label = Home runs |stat22value = 16 |stat23label = Runs batted in |stat23value = 87 |teams = * Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2022}}) * Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2023}}) * Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2024}}) * Doosan Bears ({{kboy|2025}}) }} '''Andrew Jacob Cave''' (born December 4, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Colorado Rockies, and in the KBO League for the Doosan Bears. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 6th round of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2018.
==Amateur career== Cave attended Hampton Christian High School in Hampton, Virginia. As a pitcher for the school's baseball team in his sophomore year, Cave had a 10–0 win–loss record and a 1.23 earned run average with 109 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Krider |first=Dave |date=September 1, 2009 |title=Cave transferring to Kecoughtan |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/m/news/5bE9p5c7Ed6OEwAcxJTdpg/cave-transferring-to-kecoughtan.htm |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Maxpreps}}</ref> He also demonstrated his hitting ability winning the World Wooden Bat Association Under-16 national title. He committed to attend Louisiana State University on a college baseball scholarship.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2009 |title=Jake Cave commits to LSU |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2009/07/22/jake-cave-commits-to-lsu/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Daily Press |language=en-US}}</ref> Before his junior year, he transferred to Kecoughtan High School.<ref name=":0" /> He also played basketball in high school.<ref name="transferring">{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2018 |title=Jake Cave transferring to Kecoughtan from Hampton Christian |url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/spt_cave_0901-story.html |publisher=Daily Press |accessdate=March 18, 2018}}</ref> In 2011, his senior year at Kecoughtan, he had a .609 batting average.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Kecoughtan baseball star Jake Cave excelling with Yankees farm team |url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-jake-cave-0727-20170727-story.html |publisher=Daily Press |accessdate=March 18, 2018}}</ref> Cave was named the Peninsula District and ''Daily Press'' Player of the Year. He spent the summer after graduating from Kecoughtan playing for the Peninsula Pilots of the Coastal Plain League.<ref name=signs/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peninsula Pilots: Jake Cave enjoying time with Pilots while he awaits the Yankees |url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-pilots-jake-cave-0702-20110701-story.html |publisher=Daily Press |accessdate=March 18, 2018}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===New York Yankees=== The New York Yankees selected Cave in the sixth round, with the 209th overall selection, of the 2011 MLB draft. He signed with the Yankees, receiving a $825,000 signing bonus.<ref name="signs">{{Cite web |title=It's official: Former Red Sox fan Jake Cave signs with Yankees for $825K |url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-cave-signs-with-yajkees-story.html |publisher=Daily Press |accessdate=March 18, 2018}}</ref> He made his professional debut that season for the Gulf Coast Yankees. In his first game, he fractured his kneecap in a collision at home plate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2012 |title=On the shelf for now, Jake Cave is eager to get back on the diamond |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2012/05/19/on-the-shelf-for-now-jake-cave-is-eager-to-get-back-on-the-diamond/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Daily Press |language=en-US}}</ref> The injury caused him to miss the rest of the season as well as the entire 2012 season.
In 2013, Cave played 113 games for the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single–A South Atlantic League. He finished the year hitting .282/.347/.401 with two home runs and 31 RBI. Cave started the 2014 season with the Tampa Yankees of the High–A Florida State League.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2014 |title=Jake Cave is in a hitter’s zone with the Tampa Yankees |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2014/06/27/jake-cave-is-in-a-hitters-zone-with-the-tampa-yankees/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Daily Press |language=en-US}}</ref> After hitting .304/.354/.395 with three home runs and 24 RBI in 90 games with Tampa, he was promoted to the Trenton Thunder of the Double–A Eastern League in July,<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2014 |title=Thunder call-up Jake Cave adds versatility to lineup |url=http://www.trentonian.com/sports/20140724/thunder-call-up-jake-cave-adds-versatility-to-lineup |website=The Trentonian |accessdate=October 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=July 17, 2014 |title=Yankees promote Jake Cave from Single-A Tampa to Double-A Trenton |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2014/07/16/yankees-promote-jake-cave-from-single-a-tampa-to-double-a-trenton/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=The Virginian-Pilot |language=en-US}}</ref> where he finished the season batting .273 with four home runs and 18 RBI in 42 games.
Cave spent most of the 2015 season in Trenton, where he hit .269/.330/.345 in 125 games and was a Mid-Season All-Star.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2015 |title=2015 Eastern League All-Star Game Rosters Announced |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/2015-eastern-league-all-star-game-rosters-announced/n-5001402 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=OurSports Central |language=en}}</ref> He was promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League for the last week of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2015 |title=Former Kecoughtan/Hampton Christian star Jake Cave gets call to New York Yankees’ Triple-A team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2015/09/01/former-kecoughtanhampton-christian-star-jake-cave-gets-call-to-new-york-yankees-triple-a-team-in-scrantonwilkes-barre/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Daily Press |language=en-US}}</ref> He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2015 Rule 5 draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yanchulis |first=Kate |date=December 10, 2015 |title=Former Kecoughtan/Hampton Christian baseball player Cave selected in MLB Rule 5 draft |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2015/12/10/former-kecoughtanhampton-christian-baseball-player-cave-selected-in-mlb-rule-5-draft/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Daily Press |language=en-US}}</ref> Cave did not make the Reds' Opening Day roster, and he was returned to the Yankees on April 5, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2016 |title=Yankees reacquire former Kecoughtan star Cave from Reds after his Rule 5 audition with Cincinnati |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2016/04/05/yankees-reacquire-former-kecoughtan-star-cave-from-reds-after-his-rule-5-audition-with-cincinnati/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=The Virginian-Pilot |language=en-US}}</ref> He started the season back in Trenton but was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in May.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2016 |title=Jake Cave promoted to Triple-A; Thunder drop series finale to Altoona |url=https://www.trentonian.com/2016/05/11/jake-cave-promoted-to-triple-a-thunder-drop-series-finale-to-altoona/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Trentonian |language=en-US}}</ref> In the month of July, he led the league in batting average, hits, runs scored, and total bases to win International League Player of the Month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MiLB announces July Players of the Month |url=https://www.milb.com/press-release/milb-announces-july-players-of-the-month-246997052 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}}</ref> He hit .268/.331/.427 with eight home runs and 56 RBI between both levels that year.
In 2017, he returned to both the Thunder and RailRiders, batting a combined .305 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jake Cave Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=595909#/career/R/hitting/2017/ALL |publisher=MiLB.com |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> The Yankees added Cave to their 40-man roster after the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2017 |title=Hampton native Jake Cave added to New York Yankees 40-man roster |url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-jake-cave-yankees-mlb-roster-20171106-story.html |publisher=Daily Press |accessdate=November 26, 2017}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on March 12, 2018, following the Yankees signing of Neil Walker.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steve Adams |date=March 12, 2018 |title=Yankees Designate Jake Cave For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/03/yankees-designate-jake-cave-for-assignment.html |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |accessdate=March 18, 2018}}</ref>
===Minnesota Twins=== The Minnesota Twins acquired Cave on March 16, 2018, for minor league pitcher Luis Gil.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2018 |title=NY Yankees trade Jake Cave to Minnesota Twins for pitcher Luis Gil |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2018/03/16/new-york-ny-yankees-trade-jake-cave-minnesota-twins-acquire-pitcher-luis-gil/433111002/ |website=March 18, 2018 |publisher=NorthJersey.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Butherus |first=J. Scott |date=March 17, 2018 |title=Cave's all-around skills a boon to Twins |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jake-cave-adds-needed-depth-to-twins-outfield-c268950442 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> He began the season with the Rochester Red Wings of the International League, and was called up to the majors on May 19.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Marty |date=May 19, 2018 |title=Hampton native Jake Cave called up to play for Minnesota Twins |url=https://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-jake-cave-minnesota-20180519-story.html |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Daily Press}}</ref> He started in center field for the Twins that day and got his first major league hit, a two-run home run.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brewers 5-4 Twins (May 19, 2018) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/380519109 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> After three games with the big league club, Cave was optioned back to Triple-A but returned June 9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varda |first=Maija |date=May 24, 2018 |title=Twins activate Miguel Sano, option Jake Cave |url=https://www.twinkietown.com/2018/5/24/17389760/minnesota-twins-mlb-activate-miguel-sano-dl-option-jake-cave |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Twinkie Town |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Brian |date=June 11, 2018 |title=Triple-A call-up Jake Cave homers as Twins beat Angels |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/06/10/triple-a-call-up-jake-cave-homers-as-twins-beat-angels/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}}</ref> He was again sent down on June 14 before returning on June 26.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twins option Sanó to Single-A Ft. Myers and Cave to Triple-A Rochester |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/twins-option-miguel-sano-to-single-a-ft-myers-and-jake-cave-to-triple--281284230 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/roster/transactions/2018/06 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> On the season, Cave hit .265/.313/.473 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI in 91 games. He led all Major League Baseball hitters in average distance per home run, at 421 feet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoenfield |first=David |date=November 3, 2018 |title=Why Mookie Betts is the perfect player, and other fun stats |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25166920/mlb-why-mookie-betts-perfect-player-other-fun-stats |access-date=November 6, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
Cave made the Twins opening day roster as a fourth outfielder.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twins' 25-man roster officially set |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-set-2019-opening-day-roster |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> On the season, Cave hit .258 with eight home runs and 25 RBI.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jake Cave 2019 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=caveja01&t=b&year=2019 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was added to the playoff roster for the 2019 postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Twins announce ALDS roster |url=https://www.twinkietown.com/2019/10/4/20898633/mlb-minnesota-twins-playoff-roster-alds-willians-astudillo-brusdar-graterol-lewis-thorpe-luis-arraez |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Twinkie Town |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, Cave hit .221 with four home runs and 15 RBI during the COVID-19 shortened season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jake Cave 2020 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=caveja01&t=b&year=2020 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
On May 15, 2021, Cave was placed on the 60-day injured list after suffering a fracture in his back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrne |first=Connor |date=May 15, 2021 |title=Twins To Place Jake Cave On 60-Day IL, Select Rob Refsnyder |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/twins-to-place-jake-cave-on-60-day-il-select-rob-refsnyder.html |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> Cave was activated off of the injured list on July 24.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major League Baseball Transactions (July 2021) |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/ |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Major League Baseball |language=en}}</ref> On November 25, 2021, the Twins outrighted Cave to the St. Paul Saints.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stohs |first=Seth |date=November 30, 2021 |title=Twins Claim Trevor Megill, Outright Jake Cave |url=https://twinsdaily.com/index.html/minnesota-twins-news-rumors/twins-claim-trevor-megill-outright-jake-cave-r11594/ |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=Twins Daily |language=en-US}}</ref> He was invited to spring training before the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twins announce 2022 Spring Training invites |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-twins-announce-2022-spring-training-invites |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> Cave had his contract selected on August 1, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/roster/transactions/2022/08 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Philadelphia Phillies=== The Baltimore Orioles claimed Cave off of waivers on October 12, 2022.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34783394/baltimore-orioles-claim-outfielder-jake-cave-29-waivers "Baltimore Orioles claim outfielder Jake Cave, 29, off waivers," ''The Associated Press'' (AP), Wednesday, October 12, 2022.] Retrieved October 15, 2022.</ref> On November 4, the Orioles and Cave agreed to a split contract to avoid salary arbitration for the 2023 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Orioles, Jake Cave avoid arbitration|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/amp/orioles_jake_cave_avoid_arbitration/s1_13237_38078336|access-date=June 29, 2023|website=yardbarker.com|language=en}}</ref>
The Philadelphia Phillies claimed Cave off waivers from the Orioles on December 2.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/phillies-claim-jake-cave-waivers-orioles.html | title=Phillies Claim Jake Cave off Waivers from Orioles }}</ref> Cave made the Phillies' Opening Day roster in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title='A good day' as Guthrie, Cave make Phils' OD roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dalton-guthrie-jake-cave-make-phillies-opening-day-roster |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> He was optioned to Triple-A on May 2 when Bryce Harper returned from Tommy John surgery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2023 |title=Phillies Reinstate Bryce Harper |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/05/bryce-harper-cleared-to-return-to-phillies.html |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> After hitting .400/.500/.798 during a 21-game hit streak, Cave was named International League Player of the Week for the month of May.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jake Cave Named International League Player of the Month for May |url=https://www.milb.com/news/jake-cave-named-international-league-player-of-the-month-for-may |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}}</ref> He was recalled to the majors on July 21<ref>{{Cite web |title=PHILLIES ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-phillies-announce-roster-moves-july-21-2023 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> and remained on the roster through the rest of the season and postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lorenzen not on NL Wild Card roster as Phils opt for extra RH bat |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-2023-nl-wild-card-series-roster |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Phillies finalize National League Division Series roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-phillies-finalize-national-league-division-series-roster-x2522 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Press release: Phillies finalize 2023 National League Championship Series roster | website=MLB.com | date=2023-10-16 | url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-phillies-finalize-2023-national-league-championship-series-roster | access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref> In 65 games for Philadelphia, Cave batted .212/.272/.348 with five home runs and 21 RBI. After the season, he re-signed with the Phillies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2023 |title=Phillies non-tender 1 player, agree to contracts with 3 |url=https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news/garrett-stubbs-jake-cave-phillies-nontender-deadline-mlb/546864/ |access-date=December 25, 2023 |website=NBC Sports Philadelphia |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Colorado Rockies=== On March 24, 2024, four days before the first regular season game, the Phillies traded Cave to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 24, 2024 |title=Phillies give Matt Strahm extension, trade Jake Cave to Rockies |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39800478/phillies-extend-matt-strahm-trade-jake-cave-rockies |access-date=March 25, 2024 |publisher=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He played in a career–high 123 games for Colorado, slashing .251/.290/.396 with seven home runs and 37 RBI. On October 18, Cave was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, but rejected the assignment and elected free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Jake Cave, Peter Lambert, Dakota Hudson Elect Free Agency |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/jake-cave-peter-lambert-dakota-hudson-elect-free-agency.html |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors. |language=en}}</ref>
===Doosan Bears=== On November 26, 2024, Cave signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241126009600315?section=news|title=Bears sign ex-MLB outfielder Jake Cave|author=Jee-ho, Yoo|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|date=26 November 2024|access-date=26 November 2024 |language=}}</ref> He made 136 appearances for Doosan in 2025, slashing .299/.351/.463 with 16 home runs, 87 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. Cave became a free agent following the season.
On February 20, 2026, Cave signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican Baseball League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/jake-cave-to-sign-with-mexican-leagues-tecolotes-de-los-dos-laredos.html|title=Jake Cave To Sign With Mexican League's Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos|first=Darragh|last=McDonald|date=February 20, 2026|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> However, he failed to make the Opening Day roster and was released by the team prior to the start of the season on April 14.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 14 de abril de 2026|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-14-de-abril-de-2026|access-date=April 16, 2026|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}</ref>
===El Águila de Veracruz=== On April 29, 2026, Cave signed with El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 29 de abril de 2026|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-29-de-abril-de-2026|access-date=May 16, 2026|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}</ref>
==Personal life== Cave's father, Bryan, played baseball at Kecoughtan and became the head coach of The Apprentice School. Both of Cave's sisters played softball and were named All-District.<ref name=transferring/>
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=595909|espn=33417|br=c/caveja01|fangraphs=14477|brm=cave--000jak|retro=C/Pcavej001}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cave, Jake}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Category:American expatriate baseball players in South Korea Category:Baseball players from Hampton, Virginia Category:Charleston RiverDogs players Category:Colorado Rockies players Category:Doosan Bears players Category:El Águila de Veracruz players Category:Gulf Coast Yankees players Category:KBO League right fielders Category:Kecoughtan High School alumni Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:Philadelphia Phillies players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players Category:St. Paul Saints players Category:Tampa Yankees players Category:Trenton Thunder players