Jalen Washington

Classroom

Jalen Washington was named an OSU Scholar-Athlete for the 2015-16 academic year.

Character

Jalen Washington is a young man of very high character. He is a two-time captain on our baseball team, voted on by his teammates, and his leadership is invaluable to upholding the high standards at The Ohio State University and in the baseball program. Washington has always been very involved with the program’s community outreach initiatives, but the story that best exemplifies who Washington is took place last year when he was voted team captain after two seasons of being a back-up player. Head Coach Greg Beals states: “I cannot speak enough about Jalen as a person, player, teammate, leader, and man of character.”

Community

Washington has worked with many organizations such as Kick It for Cancer: Be the Match Cancer Kickball Outin and Rock City Church Shoe Drive. He has passed out shoes to children in schools in Columbus area and took a mission trip to Bolivia with Soles4Souls. During the trip, he participated in a one-week shoe drive, passing out shoes to schools, orphanages, and underprivileged children and families. Washington also has served dinner at the Van Buren Shelter and participated in the 2nd and 7th reading program.

Competition

Washington was a member of the Big Ten All-Tournament Team in 2016 and was on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List. This season, he was named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List and already has been named to the Sunshine State Classic All-Tournament Team.

As of nomination time, Washington had played in 93 career games with 76 career starts and had posted 13 doubles, three home runs, 47 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 42 runs scored and 67 hits in his career. He is a middle infielder who moved to catcher and made 59 starts from behind the dish during his junior season to lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Tournament title and an NCAA Regional appearance.

Washington knocked 11 doubles, three home runs and 38 RBI in 2016 and caught in 55.0 straight IP during Big Ten tourney run over the course of four days, guiding the staff to a tournament record 44 strikeouts. He helped lead the squad to a 5-0 record vs. Michigan, homering twice during home Michigan series with four RBI and had the walk-off RBI single vs. Wright State in the opening game of the NCAA Regional in Louisville. Washington led the Big Ten with 17 runners caught stealing, while swiping 14 stolen himself. He returned back to his normal position at shortstop for his senior season.