Jason Michaels

Jason Drew Michaels (born May 4, 1976 in Tampa, Florida) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League East division.

With the Phillies

Since 2004, Michaels has been a regular on the Phillies major league roster, accumulating a batting average of .245 with 127 hits, including 17 home runs, through the end of the 2004 season. In the outfield, he has become the go-to backup outfielder for the Phillies. However, Michaels' shot at a starting position with Phillies in the 2005 season came to a halt when the Phillies acquired outfielder Kenny Lofton from the New York Yankees in the offseason.

Related Topics:
2004 - Batting average - Home runs - 2005 - Kenny Lofton - New York Yankees

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During the 2005 season, Michaels and Lofton have received comparable playing time, with Michaels starting for the Phillies during Lofton's 2005 injury and primarily against left-handed pitching, as this matchup is more favorable than Lofton's left-handed bat. Both normally occupy the number two spot in the Phillies batting lineup. He also has served as a periodic replacement for Phillies RF Bobby Abreu and Phillies LF Pat Burrell.

Related Topics:
Bobby Abreu - Pat Burrell

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Michaels' contract with the Phillies will pay him $825,000 in 2005.

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