Jason Botts

Infobox MLB player
name=Jason Botts

---

caption=Jason during batting practice at the Rangers home opener on Apr 8, 2008.
width=300
position=Designated hitter
team=Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
number=--
bats=Switch
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|7|26
birthplace=city-state|Paso Robles|California
debutdate=September 14
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Texas Rangers
statyear=2008 season
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.230
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=5
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=28| teams=
*Texas Rangers (by|2005-by|2008)
*Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (by|2008-present) (NPB)

Jason Carl Botts (born July 26, 1980 in Paso Robles, California) is an American baseball player for the NPB Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters as a designated hitter, although he is also a first baseman and outfielder.

Botts made his major league debut for the Texas Rangers on September 14, mlby|2005, against the Baltimore Orioles, and had a total of 27 at-bats in that month. His fortunes at the plate were somewhat mixed: he scored 8 hits and 3 RBI, but also struck out 13 times.

On May 28, mlby|2006, Botts started as the DH against the Oakland Athletics. He hit his first major league home run into the upper deck at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington against the A's Kirk Saarloos in the 2nd inning.

On August 1, mlby|2007, Botts was called up by the Texas Rangers to be the designated hitter for the remainder of the 2007 season. Through his first eight games, he had a .219 batting average with one home run and four RBI.

On April 29, by|2008, the Rangers designated Botts for assignment, giving them 10 days to trade,release,or outright him to the minors. On May 7, 2008, the Rangers outrighted Botts to Triple-A Oklahoma. On June 4, 2008, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League acquired him from the Texas Rangers.

He also has played in the Mexican Pacific League for the Yaquis Obregon.

Botts is one of only two major leaguers to have been born in Paso Robles, California, the other being Hal Rhyne.

External links

* [http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?pl=434664 Minor League Splits and Situational Stats]
* [http://www.yaquis.com.mx Yaquis de Obregon]