New Jersey Jackals Sign Outfielder David Harris to Contract Extension
January 22, 2020 - Canadian American League (Can-Am) News Release
Little Falls, NJ - The 2019 Can-Am League Champion New Jersey Jackals announce signing outfielder David Harris to a contract extension. The perennial run producer returns to the Jackals for a third season after igniting the offense during the Can-Am League Playoffs."
"David was hampered by some nagging injuries last year. He fought through them and was still a big contributor for us. A healthy Harris this year will be a force in the middle of our lineup." Jackals manager Brooks Carey said. "Our whole organization is thrilled he decided to come back for the 2020 season."
Harris' 2019 season epitomized quality over quantity. After starting the year with Quintana Roo (Triple-A Mexican League) and subsequently dealing with various injuries, the 28-year old outfielder returned to Jackals on July 24 and gave the lineup an extra jolt. Over 33 games, Harris slashed .342/.421/.441 with two homers, 22 RBIs, 14 runs scored and three stolen bases and received Can-Am League Batter of the Week honors for the week of August 5-11. Fueled by the league's only 5-hit game of the year on August 8 vs. the New York Boulders (5-5, one double, four RBIs), he batted a sizzling 636 (11-19) with seven runs scored, two doubles, one homer and eight RBIs. While the Bradenton, Florida native had an excellent postseason (.333 AVG, 1 homer, 5 RBIs) overall, he saved his best for last. Harris tormented the defending 2018 Can-Am League Champion Sussex County Miners in the 2019 Championship Series by hitting .416 (5-12) and belting a monstrous two-run homer off of Andrew Gist in Game 4 that propelled the Jackals to a 2-0 victory.
The seven-year veteran debuted with the Jackals in 2018 and forged a stellar season by finishing in the Can-Am League's top three in batting average (3rd,.324), home runs (2nd, 23) and RBIs (68). Along with leading the circuit in slugging percentage (.590), and total bases (203), Harris was second in on-base percentage (.435) and runs scored (77) and fourth in hits (114). The upcoming marks a homecoming for the All-Star outfielder. Harris won the 2017 the Frontier League's Morgan Burkhart Most Valuable Player Award while playing for the Schaumburg Boomers. Along with batting .344 (2nd) with 13 home runs and 65 RBIs, the All-Star outfielder had the game of a lifetime against the Windy City Thunderbolts. On June 22, Harris went 6 for 6 and blasted three home runs while tallying eight RBIs, five runs scored and 16 total bases. To date, he is one of only 11 players in Frontier League history to get six hits in a game.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Harris out of Southern Arkansas University in the 36th round of the 2013 First Year Player Draft. Playing shortstop at the time, he was named First Team all-conference in the Great American Conference (GAC) as he hit .344 (99-288) with 55 runs scored, 17 doubles, 13 homers and 65 RBIs. Harris played in the Blue Jays farm system for four years (2013-2016) and reached as high as Single-A with the Dunedin Blue Jays.
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