1. Overview
Jayson Werth is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played for 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2002 to 2017. His career included stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals. Werth comes from a prominent baseball family, with his grandfather, uncle, and stepfather all having played professional baseball. A first-round draft pick as a catcher, he transitioned to an outfielder early in his career. He became a World Series champion with the Phillies in 2008 and was an All-Star in 2009. After signing a significant contract with the Nationals, he became a key veteran leader for the team, despite battling numerous injuries throughout his career. Following his retirement from baseball in 2018, Werth transitioned into organic farming and became involved in horse racing, owning a share in a stable that produced a Belmont Stakes winner.
2. Early Life and Background
Jayson Werth's early life was deeply intertwined with baseball, stemming from his family's extensive history in the sport.
2.1. Birth and Family Background
Jayson Richard Gowan Werth was born on May 20, 1979, in Springfield, Illinois, into a highly athletic family with deep roots in professional baseball. His great-grandfather, John Schofield, was a shortstop whose MLB career was cut short by a leg fracture. Werth's grandfather, Ducky Schofield, played in MLB from 1953 to 1971 and was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates team that won the 1960 World Series. His uncle, Dick Schofield, also played as an MLB shortstop for 14 seasons and won the 1993 World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays. While not a baseball player, Werth's mother, Kim Schofield Werth, was a track and field star who holds two national records. His biological father, Jeff Gowan, was a former wide receiver for the Illinois State Redbirds football team and played one season in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system. After his parents separated shortly after his birth, his mother married Dennis Werth in 1984, a former first baseman for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, who further nurtured Jayson's love for baseball.
2.2. Childhood and Education
Werth's childhood was marked by an early and intense interest in baseball. By the age of 11, he would practice catching in his backyard, with his stepfather using a pitching machine to help him block balls. He began playing competitively at seven, and his youth team, the Springfield Flame, achieved third place in the 1993 Sandy Koufax World Series. Two years later, he was selected for the US team at the Junior Pan American Games. During his final season playing for Glenwood High School in Chatham, Illinois, Werth demonstrated exceptional talent, batting .652 with 15 home runs, 56 runs batted in (RBI), and 27 stolen bases. Despite receiving an athletic scholarship to play college baseball for the Georgia Bulldogs, Werth decided to forgo college to pursue a professional baseball career after being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.
3. Professional Career
Jayson Werth's professional baseball career spanned 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, marked by position changes, significant injuries, and key contributions to multiple teams, including a World Series championship.
3.1. Draft and Minor League Career
Werth entered professional baseball after being selected by the Baltimore Orioles as the 22nd overall pick in the 1997 MLB Draft. The Orioles were one of only two MLB teams with two first-round selections that year. Werth chose to sign with the Orioles for a salary of approximately 850.00 K USD, foregoing his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs.
His minor league career began productively with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles, where he batted .309 with five RBI and a home run in his first 20 professional games. However, he also encountered his first health issues, with recurrent back spasms due to the Florida heat, sidelining him for half of his initial 40 games. He finished the 1997 season with a .295 batting average, one home run, and eight RBI in 32 games.
In 1998, Werth started with the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds, batting .311 with 20 RBI and 12 stolen bases by the end of May, earning him an All-Star selection. He concluded the season with a .265 average, eight home runs, and 53 RBI in 120 games for Delmarva. He also impressed defensively as a catcher, successfully throwing out the only baserunner who attempted to steal on him. After the Shorebirds' season ended, he briefly joined the Double-A Bowie Baysox, appearing in five games.
Despite rumors of a potential outfield conversion, Werth began the 1999 season as a catcher for the Class A-Advanced Frederick Keys. After participating in the Carolina League All-Star Game in July, he was unexpectedly promoted to Bowie due to an injury. At the time of his promotion, he was batting .305 with three home runs and 30 RBI in 66 games. In Double-A, he continued to perform well, batting .373 with one home run and 11 RBI in 35 games. His season was cut short by a fractured left wrist, preventing him from playing in the Arizona Fall League.
In 2000, with veteran catcher Charles Johnson in contract disputes, the Orioles considered Werth as his future replacement. However, after batting only .231 with 25 RBI in Double-A, he was demoted back to Frederick in August. He improved in Frederick, batting .277 with two home runs and 18 RBI in 24 games.
On December 12, 2000, Werth was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher John Bale. He started the 2001 season on the disabled list with a foot injury. After a brief stint with the Dunedin Blue Jays, he was promoted to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he was named the Topps Double-A Batter of the Month in July for batting .350 with 32 RBI. He finished the season in Tennessee with a .285 average, 18 home runs, and 69 RBI in 104 games, also playing 28 games at first baseman.
In 2002, upon his promotion to the Triple-A Syracuse SkyChiefs, Werth officially transitioned to an outfielder, accepting the change as it was less physically taxing than catching and would prolong his career. He played in 127 International League games, appearing as a catcher in 26 and spending the rest of his time in the outfield. As a batter, he hit .257 with 18 home runs and 82 RBI.
3.2. Major League Career
Jayson Werth's Major League career was a journey through various teams, marked by periods of injury, breakout performances, and a World Series championship.
3.2.1. Toronto Blue Jays (2002-2003)
Werth made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on September 1, 2002, after being called up from Triple-A Syracuse. He recorded his first MLB hit in his debut, a seventh-inning single off David Wells of the New York Yankees. Although he brought his catcher's mitt, his strong defensive performance in right field during his first 10 games solidified his role as an outfielder. He appeared in 15 games that season, primarily in right field, batting .261 with six RBI.
In 2003, Werth suffered a ligament injury in his left wrist during spring training, requiring a rehab assignment before rejoining the team in April. On May 6, he hit his first career home run, a three-run shot, in a 15-5 victory over the Texas Rangers. Throughout the season, he alternated between the major and minor leagues due to injuries to the Blue Jays' core players. The midseason acquisition of outfielder Bobby Kielty and the presence of rookie Reed Johnson made it challenging for Werth to secure a permanent spot. He played in 26 major league games, mostly in the outfield but also as a designated hitter, batting .208 with two home runs and 10 RBI. He spent more time in Syracuse, where he batted .237 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 64 games.
3.2.2. Los Angeles Dodgers (2004-2006)
Werth was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 31, 2004, in exchange for pitcher Jason Frasor. His tenure with the Dodgers began with an oblique muscle strain, leading to nearly two months on the disabled list. Upon his return on June 4, he immediately impacted the team's offense, hitting a home run in his first game back and maintaining a .450 batting average through June. When Juan Encarnacion went on the disabled list in July, Werth became the everyday right fielder. His defensive prowess was highlighted when he made a spectacular catch against Jeromy Burnitz, slamming into the outfield wall and turning it into a double play. Despite playing through a cracked rib for the final two months, Werth appeared in 89 regular season games, batting .262 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI. His ninth-inning single on October 2 set up Steve Finley's game-winning grand slam against the San Francisco Giants, clinching the National League (NL) West Division title for the Dodgers, their first since 1996. In the 2004 National League Division Series (NLDS) against the St. Louis Cardinals, Werth hit two home runs and recorded three RBI, but the Dodgers lost the series in four games.
The 2005 season was also plagued by injuries for Werth. On the first day of spring training, he fractured the radius in his left wrist after being hit by a pitch from A. J. Burnett, keeping him out until late May. He later spent time on the disabled list in August with bursitis in his left knee. Despite these setbacks, he played in 102 games, batting .234 with seven home runs and 43 RBI.
The 2006 season was a complete loss for Werth due to a series of wrist injuries. He underwent multiple surgeries in the 2005-06 offseason, including one to remove the synovial bursa in his knee and a ligament repair surgery for his wrist. However, he experienced more pain after the wrist surgery. In August, he consulted with Dr. Richard Berger, who diagnosed him with a split tear of the ulnotriquetral ligament and performed another surgery. He was placed in a cast for six weeks, and the Dodgers ultimately declined to offer him a contract for 2007, making him a free agent in December.
3.2.3. Philadelphia Phillies (2007-2010)
On December 20, 2006, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Werth to a one-year, 850.00 K USD contract, with additional incentives. He joined the team as a bench player, providing depth in the outfield. In June 2007, he was placed back on the disabled list for a new wrist injury, unrelated to his previous troubles. He returned in August, becoming an everyday presence in right field by September. He had an impressive August, batting .414 with a streak of nine hits in as many at bats. Werth finished the regular season batting .298 with eight home homes and 49 RBI in 94 games. The Phillies clinched the NL East and their first postseason berth in 14 years, but were swept by the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS.
In 2008, manager Charlie Manuel initially platooned Werth with Geoff Jenkins due to concerns about Werth's batting against right-handed pitchers. As the season progressed, Werth's performance improved while Jenkins struggled, leading Werth to gain more playing time. By September, with Jenkins on the disabled list, Werth became the everyday right fielder, achieving a career-high 13-game hitting streak. He finished the regular season batting .273 with a career-high 24 home runs and 67 RBI in 134 games. The Phillies reached the NLDS, where Werth hit a home run in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Brewers to help the Phillies advance. Although he went only 4-for-21 in the NLCS, the Phillies defeated the Dodgers to reach the 2008 World Series, their first since 1993. In the World Series, Werth batted .444 in five games, including a two-run home run in Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays, contributing to the Phillies' first World Series championship in 28 years. Werth became the first player in his family to win a World Series ring since his uncle, Dick Schofield, who won with the Blue Jays in 1993 against the Phillies.
On January 22, 2009, the Phillies signed Werth to a two-year, 10.00 M USD contract extension, aiming to retain him as a right-handed power hitter. With Pat Burrell gone and Jenkins released, Werth secured a full-time role in right field, batting fifth. On May 12, 2009, against the Dodgers, Werth made history by stealing second base, third base, and home plate in the same inning, becoming the ninth player in MLB history to achieve this feat. In June, he came one triple shy of hitting for the cycle against the Blue Jays. Despite rumors, Werth was selected for his first All-Star Game in July, joining teammates Shane Victorino and Raúl Ibañez to represent the entire Phillies starting outfield. On July 21, he hit his first career walk-off home run in the 13th inning against the Cubs, extending the Phillies' winning streak to 10 games. Werth finished the season with career highs of 36 home runs, 99 RBI, 26 doubles, 91 walks, and 153 hits, batting .268.
In the 2009 NLDS against the Rockies, Werth impressed with a home run, a triple, and a strong throw from right field. His RBI single in Game 4 secured a 5-4 victory, sending the Phillies to the 2009 NLCS. Facing the Dodgers again, Werth hit two home runs in Game 5, including a seventh-inning blast that gave him seven home runs in one postseason, a Phillies franchise record, propelling them to their second consecutive World Series appearance. In the 2009 World Series, he hit two home runs in Game 3 against New York Yankees starter Andy Pettitte, but the Phillies ultimately lost the series in six games.
Entering the final year of his contract in 2010, Werth started strong, batting .327 with nine home runs and leading MLB with 22 doubles through his first 44 games. However, he then entered a slump, batting only .236 with 55 strikeouts over the next 48 games. He also faced criticism for yelling at a fan who caught a foul ball. Werth broke his 29-game home run drought on July 28. He finished the season strong, batting .354 with six home runs and 17 RBI in the 13 games before the Phillies clinched their postseason berth. Overall, he batted .296 with 27 home runs and 85 RBI, leading the NL with 46 doubles. The Phillies swept the Reds in the 2010 NLDS, but Werth struggled at the plate. In the 2010 NLCS, his 13th career postseason home run set an NL record and helped the Phillies to a Game 5 victory over the San Francisco Giants. However, the Giants eliminated the Phillies in the next game, preventing Werth from reaching a third consecutive World Series. In December, Werth declined the Phillies' salary arbitration offer, becoming a free agent.
3.2.4. Washington Nationals (2011-2017)
On December 5, 2010, Jayson Werth signed a seven-year, 126.00 M USD contract with the Washington Nationals, making it one of the most expensive contracts in MLB history at the time. His signing was somewhat overshadowed in Philadelphia by the Phillies' acquisition of pitcher Cliff Lee.
Upon his return to Citizens Bank Park on May 3, 2011, Werth received a mixed reaction from Phillies fans, initially booed before receiving a standing ovation. His first season with the Nationals was challenging; by late May, his contract was under scrutiny as he was batting only .254. Werth attributed his struggles to nagging shoulder and knee injuries and stated he typically performed better after the All-Star break. After being booed by Nationals fans and a local bar offering discounted beer based on his batting average, he broke a 105-at-bat homerless streak on July 20. He improved in the second half, finishing the season batting .232 with 20 home runs and 58 RBI in 150 games.
Werth began the 2012 season with renewed determination. However, on May 6, he fractured his left wrist for the second time while fielding a hit, sidelining him indefinitely. He returned to the lineup on August 2. Upon his return, he was moved to the leadoff spot for the first time in his career, a transition that proved successful as he batted .303 with 12 RBI in 37 games as a leadoff hitter. Despite playing in only 81 games due to injury, Werth finished the season batting .300 with five home runs and 31 RBI. In Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS, Werth hit a memorable walk-off home run after a 13-pitch at-bat, preventing the Nationals from elimination. The spot where his home run landed at Nationals Park was later commemorated with a red seat. Despite his heroics, the Cardinals came back from a 6-0 deficit to win Game 5, eliminating Washington.
In 2013, Werth played through multiple injuries in the first half, including a right hamstring strain and a groin strain. He had a breakout July, holding a .375/.402/.636 slash line and leading the NL with 24 RBI, 11 doubles, and 17 extra-base hits, earning him his first NL Player of the Month award. On August 10, he recorded his 1,000th career hit, a two-run home run against his former team, the Phillies. He concluded the season with a .318 batting average, 25 home runs, and 82 RBI, and his career-best .931 OPS was the second-highest single-season OPS in Nationals history.
The 2014 season saw Werth lead MLB in win probability added in April, highlighted by an eighth-inning grand slam. After a slump in June, he adjusted his batting stance, leading to another strong July where he batted .337 with 11 doubles, six home runs, and an NL-leading 24 RBI, earning him his second NL Player of the Month Award. He missed some games in August with a shoulder sprain but maintained a 27-game on-base streak into September. Werth finished the regular season batting .292 with 16 home runs and 82 RBI in 147 games. However, he struggled in the NLDS, going only 1-for-17 as the Nationals lost to the Giants in four games.
Werth's 2015 season was significantly impacted by injuries. In January, he underwent surgery on his right shoulder to remove necrotic bone and repair his acromioclavicular joint. Upon his return, he was moved to left field to accommodate Bryce Harper in right field. He returned to the lineup on April 13 but fractured his left wrist in two places after being hit by a pitch on May 15. He returned on July 28 but struggled to regain form, batting .151 in his first 15 games back. Injuries limited him to only 88 games, resulting in his lowest batting average (.221), hits (51), and on-base percentage (.302) since 2004, and his first season without a stolen base since his MLB debut.
Inconsistent performance marked the start of Werth's 2016 season, but he hit his 200th career home run on April 19. In May, he hit a pinch-hit grand slam, the second in Nationals history. In June, he delivered two walk-off hits within a week, famously telling critics to "kiss [his] ass" after the second. From June 20 to August 20, Werth achieved a 46-game on-base streak, tying a franchise record. He played in 143 games, batting .244 with 21 home runs and 69 RBI. In the 2016 NLDS against the Dodgers, Werth hit his 15th career postseason home run, tying Babe Ruth for 11th most in MLB history. Despite this, the Dodgers eliminated the Nationals in five games.
At 38 years old, Werth remained an everyday outfielder for the Nationals in 2017, batting .262 through the first 47 games. However, he was sidelined in June with what was initially believed to be a bone bruise in his left foot. Six weeks later, he revealed it was a "pretty decent fracture," exacerbated by a hairline fracture from a foul ball during spring training. After minor league rehab assignments, he rejoined the Nationals on August 28. In his final major league season, he batted .226 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI in 70 games. He received a standing ovation from fans in his last regular season game at Nationals Park. In Game 5 of the NLDS, he recorded two hits and two walks, but the Chicago Cubs defeated the Nationals 9-8, advancing to the NLCS.
3.2.5. Seattle Mariners organization (2018)
On March 27, 2018, the Seattle Mariners offered Werth a minor league contract, providing him an opportunity to extend his career with their Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers. His stepfather had previously played for the Tacoma Yankees in 1978. Werth played in 36 games for Tacoma, primarily as a left fielder and designated hitter, batting .206 with four home runs and 11 doubles. In late May, the Mariners considered promoting him due to an injury to Mitch Haniger, but concerns about Werth's recurring hamstring injury led them to choose John Andreoli instead. The hamstring injury ultimately forced Werth onto the disabled list on June 9.
3.3. Retirement
Following his last hamstring injury with the Tacoma Rainiers, Jayson Werth realized his professional baseball career was likely over. He officially announced his retirement from the sport on June 28, 2018. He stated that he preferred being home with his family over playing in Triple-A, and that a more serious injury could affect his post-retirement life. Werth concluded his 15-season MLB career with a .267 batting average, an .816 OPS, 229 home runs, 799 RBI, and 132 stolen bases. At the time of his retirement, his 85.161 stolen base percentage was the fifth-highest in MLB history. On September 8, 2018, the Nationals honored Werth by adding him to the team's Ring of Honor at Nationals Park, where he threw out the ceremonial first pitch, caught by his son.
4. Post-Retirement Activities
After retiring from professional baseball, Jayson Werth embarked on new ventures, transitioning into organic farming and becoming involved in the horse racing industry.
4.1. Farming
Following his retirement, Werth transitioned into organic farming in Illinois. He had initially purchased a 300 acre (300 acre) plot of land in Macoupin County during his MLB career, but after retiring, he shifted from a management role to a more hands-on approach in his agricultural business. He has also become a consultant for other farmers interested in adopting organic processes. In 2017, he delivered a speech for the Organic Trade Association, discussing his challenges in obtaining organic farming certifications and advocating for more support for farmers seeking to transition to organic methods.
4.2. Horse Racing
Werth has also ventured into the horse racing industry, establishing his own stable called Two Eight Racing. He described this new endeavor as a way to "fill the competitive void baseball once did" for him. His stable gained significant attention with the horse Dornoch, in which Werth owns a 10% share. Dornoch competed in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and notably won the 2024 Belmont Stakes.
5. Personal Life
Jayson Werth's personal life includes his family, distinctive appearance, legal issues, and interactions with public figures.
5.1. Family
Jayson Werth began dating Julia, his future wife, in high school, and they were married on January 8, 2000. Their oldest son, Jackson, has followed in his father's footsteps, playing college baseball for the Belmont Bruins. In 2004, the Werths filed a libel and slander lawsuit against a high school classmate and Julia's ex-boyfriend, who had made allegations of Werth's adulterous relationships and a child born from one of them. During his time with the Nationals, Werth owned a home in McLean, Virginia, which he put up for sale in 2019.
Werth maintained a close friendship with teammate Bryce Harper, who debuted with the Nationals in 2012. Werth initially adopted a tough-love approach with the young rookie but also served as a mentor. Before Harper signed with the Phillies in 2019, he sought Werth's advice about his former team. Although Werth, as a non-member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was not permitted to attend Harper's 2016 wedding ceremony, he and fellow teammate Trea Turner attended the post-nuptial celebrations.
5.2. Legal Incidents
Jayson Werth has faced a couple of legal issues related to driving. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to a reckless driving charge after being caught driving at 105 mph in a 55 mph zone. He was sentenced to five days in jail and had his driver's license suspended for 30 days. In 2018, he was charged with driving under the influence and driving without registration. The latter charge was dropped, and Werth again pleaded guilty, resulting in an order to attend a diversion program and drug and alcohol screening, pay 1.60 K USD in fines and fees, and have his driver's license suspended.
5.3. Other Personal Aspects
Werth's distinctive long hair and beard became a notable part of his public image during his tenure with the Nationals. He began growing them out as a superstition against injuries, noting that both his 2005 and 2015 wrist injuries occurred in games immediately following a haircut. In 2015, the Nationals even held a promotional event where fans received a Chia Pet designed in Werth's likeness.
As a member of the Nationals, Werth occasionally interacted with US politicians. He once attempted to discuss a quantitative easing program with Ben Bernanke, then the Chair of the Federal Reserve, but noted that Bernanke preferred to talk about baseball. In 2017, he delivered a speech advocating for more support for farmers seeking organic certifications. A self-identified political moderate, Werth was invited to President Donald Trump's 2018 State of the Union Address as a guest of Representative Rodney Davis. Two years later, Werth was among several Nationals players seen golfing with Trump in Florida.
6. Career Statistics and Awards
Jayson Werth had a solid and impactful career in Major League Baseball, marked by consistent offensive production and notable individual accolades.
6.1. Career Statistics Summary
Jayson Werth played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, accumulating the following career statistics:
| Year | Team | Games | Plate Appearances | At Bats | Runs | Hits | Doubles | Triples | Home Runs | Total Bases | RBIs | Stolen Bases | Caught Stealing | Sacrifice Hits | Sacrifice Flies | Walks | Intentional Walks | Hit By Pitch | Strikeouts | Grounded Into Double Play | Batting Average | On-Base Percentage | Slugging Percentage | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | TOR | 15 | 53 | 46 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 | .261 | .340 | .348 | .687 |
| 2003 | TOR | 26 | 51 | 48 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | .208 | .255 | .417 | .672 |
| 2004 | LAD | 89 | 326 | 290 | 56 | 76 | 11 | 3 | 16 | 141 | 47 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 0 | 4 | 85 | 1 | .262 | .338 | .486 | .825 |
| 2005 | LAD | 102 | 395 | 337 | 46 | 79 | 22 | 2 | 7 | 126 | 43 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 48 | 2 | 6 | 114 | 10 | .234 | .338 | .374 | .711 |
| 2007 | PHI | 94 | 304 | 255 | 43 | 76 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 117 | 49 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 44 | 1 | 2 | 73 | 0 | .298 | .404 | .459 | .863 |
| 2008 | PHI | 134 | 482 | 418 | 73 | 114 | 16 | 3 | 24 | 208 | 67 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 57 | 1 | 4 | 119 | 2 | .273 | .363 | .498 | .861 |
| 2009 | PHI | 159 | 676 | 571 | 98 | 153 | 26 | 1 | 36 | 289 | 99 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 91 | 8 | 8 | 156 | 11 | .268 | .373 | .506 | .879 |
| 2010 | PHI | 156 | 652 | 554 | 106 | 164 | 46 | 2 | 27 | 295 | 85 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 82 | 6 | 7 | 147 | 11 | .296 | .388 | .532 | .921 |
| 2011 | WSH | 150 | 649 | 561 | 69 | 130 | 26 | 1 | 20 | 218 | 58 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 74 | 5 | 10 | 160 | 10 | .232 | .330 | .389 | .718 |
| 2012 | WSH | 81 | 344 | 300 | 42 | 90 | 21 | 3 | 5 | 132 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 57 | 3 | .300 | .387 | .440 | .827 |
| 2013 | WSH | 129 | 532 | 462 | 84 | 147 | 24 | 0 | 25 | 246 | 82 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 60 | 3 | 5 | 101 | 9 | .318 | .398 | .532 | .931 |
| 2014 | WSH | 147 | 629 | 534 | 85 | 156 | 37 | 1 | 16 | 243 | 82 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 83 | 3 | 9 | 113 | 9 | .292 | .394 | .455 | .849 |
| 2015 | WSH | 88 | 378 | 331 | 51 | 73 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 127 | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 38 | 0 | 3 | 84 | 8 | .221 | .302 | .384 | .685 |
| 2016 | WSH | 143 | 606 | 525 | 84 | 128 | 28 | 0 | 21 | 219 | 69 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 71 | 0 | 4 | 139 | 17 | .244 | .335 | .417 | .752 |
| 2017 | WSH | 70 | 289 | 252 | 35 | 57 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 99 | 29 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 69 | 4 | .226 | .322 | .393 | .715 |
| MLB Total (15 seasons) | 1583 | 6366 | 5484 | 883 | 1465 | 300 | 22 | 229 | 2496 | 799 | 132 | 23 | 4 | 50 | 764 | 32 | 64 | 1450 | 99 | .267 | .360 | .455 | .816 | |
His fielding statistics across his career were as follows:
; First Base Fielding
| Year | Team | Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | PHI | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| MLB Total | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | |
; Outfield Fielding
| Year | Team | Left Field (LF) | Center Field (CF) | Right Field (RF) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage | Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage | Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage | ||
| 2002 | TOR | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 10 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2003 | TOR | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 19 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | ||||||
| 2004 | LAD | 65 | 116 | 6 | 4 | 2 | .968 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 14 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2005 | LAD | 64 | 84 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 30 | 63 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .955 | 43 | 71 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| 2007 | PHI | 37 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 58 | 109 | 7 | 2 | 1 | .983 |
| 2008 | PHI | 28 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 31 | 73 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .974 | 88 | 143 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 2009 | PHI | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 12 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .920 | 146 | 327 | 10 | 4 | 4 | .988 |
| 2010 | PHI | 21 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 135 | 249 | 8 | 4 | 2 | .985 | ||||||
| 2011 | WSH | 19 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 134 | 287 | 10 | 8 | 3 | .974 | ||||||
| 2012 | WSH | 11 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .933 | 76 | 152 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | ||||||
| 2013 | WSH | 126 | 235 | 7 | 2 | 1 | .992 | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | WSH | 139 | 247 | 8 | 5 | 1 | .981 | ||||||||||||
| 2015 | WSH | 76 | 104 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .982 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | ||||||
| 2016 | WSH | 131 | 197 | 5 | 1 | 1 | .995 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | ||||||
| 2017 | WSH | 51 | 92 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .989 | 16 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .889 | ||||||
| MLB Total | 459 | 651 | 21 | 8 | 4 | .988 | 134 | 298 | 3 | 8 | 2 | .974 | 1020 | 1921 | 66 | 28 | 16 | .986 | |
6.2. Individual Awards and Honors
Jayson Werth received several individual recognitions throughout his career:
- NL Player of the Month: 2 times (July 2013, July 2014)
- NL Player of the Week: 3 times (August 17-23, 2009; May 3-9, 2010; June 30-July 6, 2014)
- All-Star Game selection: 1 time (2009)
- Washington Nationals Ring of Honor inductee (2018)
7. Impact and Evaluation
Jayson Werth's impact on his teams, particularly the Phillies and Nationals, extended beyond his statistics, encompassing leadership and clutch performances.
7.1. Team Impact
Werth's contributions to the Philadelphia Phillies were instrumental in their success. After joining as a bench player in 2007, he developed into an everyday outfielder by 2008. His power hitting and defensive skills were crucial during the Phillies' 2008 World Series championship run, where he contributed a key home run in Game 4. In 2009, he continued to be a significant offensive force, setting a franchise postseason record with nine home runs in one postseason run, helping the Phillies reach their second consecutive World Series. His ability to hit for power and get on base made him a vital component of the Phillies' lineup during their dominant period.
With the Washington Nationals, Werth's impact was equally significant, particularly given the substantial 126.00 M USD contract he signed. While his first season was challenging, he became a central figure and leader for the Nationals, especially during their rise to prominence. His walk-off home run in Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS against the Cardinals became an iconic moment in Nationals history, symbolizing the team's newfound competitiveness. Despite battling numerous injuries, Werth's veteran presence and clutch hitting, particularly in 2013 and 2014, were vital to the Nationals winning division titles. He was known for his intensity and leadership in the clubhouse, often serving as a mentor to younger players like Bryce Harper. His final season in 2017 saw him receive a standing ovation from Nationals fans, highlighting his enduring legacy and connection with the team's fanbase.
7.2. Player Evaluation
Jayson Werth's career is generally perceived as one of a durable, powerful, and clutch outfielder who overcame early career injuries to become a consistent offensive threat. Initially drafted as a catcher, his successful transition to the outfield prolonged his career and allowed his offensive talents to flourish. He was known for his ability to hit for power, draw walks, and contribute with stolen bases, making him a well-rounded offensive player. His distinctive long hair and beard, along with his outspoken personality, made him a memorable figure in the league. Despite facing multiple significant injuries, particularly to his wrists and shoulders, Werth consistently returned to perform at a high level, demonstrating resilience and dedication. His overall legacy is that of a World Series champion and a key veteran leader who played a pivotal role in the success of two prominent National League East teams, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals.