Jason Stokes

Jason Stokes (born January 23, 1982 in Irving, Texas) was a first baseman in the Oakland Athletics and Florida Marlins organization.

As a senior for Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas, he hit 25 home runs, which still stands as the state single-season home run record.cite news | title=Marlins sign 2nd-round pick | work=Associated Press | date=August 27, 2000] Stokes was named the Gatorade U.S. High School Baseball Player of the Year in 2000.

Stokes was drafted in the second round of the by|2000 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins. His best season in the minor leagues was in by|2002 with the Kane County Cougars, where he hit .341 with 27 home runs and 75 RBI, earning Stokes the Sporting News minor league player of the year award. [cite news | title=Cougars excited about 2003 season | work=Chicago Daily Herald | first=Orrin | last=Schwarz | date=February 8, 2003 | page=2] Stokes participated in the 2002 Futures Game during All-Star Weekend, playing for the United States team. [cite news | title=Stokes' slugging merits accolades | work=Chicago Daily Herald | first=Joe | last=Bush | date=July 9, 2002 | page=6] He was ranked as the Marlins number four prospect and "Best Power Prospect" entering the by|2005 season according to Baseball America. [cite news | title=Baseball buzz | first=Randy | last=Harrison | work=Albuquerque Journal | date=April 7, 2005 | page=B1]

Injuries plagued Stokes' career. His seasons with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes in 2005 and by|2006 were cut short due to hand and groin injuries. [cite news | title=Isotopes' Burly Slugger Back in Swing of Things; No longer pained by an injured hand, Stokes building his confidence | first=Randy | last=Harrison | work=Albuquerque Journal | date=April 2, 2006 | page=D1] [cite news | title= Seabol, 'Topes rally | first=James | last=Barron | work=The Santa Fe New Mexican | date=May 5, 2006] After being traded to the Oakland Athletics organization in early 2007, Stokes played a few games with the AAA Sacramento Rivercats, but again went on the disabled list with a back injury. Due to accumulating injuries, Stokes retired from baseball at the end of the 2007 season.

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