Jeter Downs playing for the Washington Nationals in 2023. Photo by Jonathan Newton via The Washington Post
The Yankees have reunited with a player named Jeter. But it’s not the Jeter you’re thinking of.
For the second time in their history, the Yankees now possess a player with the name Jeter. First, it was the iconic Derek Jeter, and now it’s Jeter Downs. The former Dodgers prospect was traded to the Red Sox in the 2019 offseason as part of the blockbuster Mookie Betts trade. But he was claimed off waivers by the Nationals last year, and now he’s been claimed off waivers by the Yankees.
Brief Success
Downs has a brief history at Yankee Stadium, as that is where he recorded his first career hit, RBI, and home run. He made his debut on June 22, 2022, and in that year he hit .154 with one home run (the Yankee Stadium one) and only four RBIs.
In 2023, he was 2-for-5 with one RBI and two stolen bases. He does not have a whole lot of MLB experience. But this year in the minors, he hit .236 with three homers and 18 RBI. The Yankees believe they can unlock potential within him.
Downs was obviously named after Derek Jeter, whom he and his family idolized despite his father being a Red Sox fan. Downs himself grew up a Yankees fan and has always dreamt of donning the iconic pinstripes and meeting his idol whom he was named after. In February 2020, he got the chance to do the latter, and now in 2024, he may get the chance to do the former.
“I was driving; me and my brother were driving to go to train,” said Downs regarding the counter. “We’re in traffic. My brother sees this Range Rover pulling up. He was like, ‘Oh my God, is that Jeter?’ He honks and I wave at him. So then he told him that and it was pretty cool that I met him that way.”
Given The Chance
Prior to Downs’ debut in 2022, Derek Jeter himself tweeted about the encounter. He also wished the kid good luck, unless he was playing for the Yankees. Ironically, most of his Major League success came against the Yankees as previously mentioned. But he may have a chance to break out in 2024, if the Yanks give him that opportunity. Only time will tell at this point.
