Jason Bartlett

Jason Alan Bartlett (born October 30, 1979) is a former professional baseball shortstop who played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and San Diego Padres. A Filipino American, he grew up in Lodi, California, and attended St. Mary's High School in Stockton. After playing at San Joaquin Delta College and the University of Oklahoma, he spent the summer of 2000 with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named an all-star. The San Diego Padres selected him in the 13th round (390th overall) of the 2001 draft. In July 2002, after the Padres drafted shortstop Khalil Greene in the first round, they traded Bartlett to the Twins for Brian Buchanan.

Bartlett made his MLB debut on August 3, 2004, and recorded his first five-hit game on August 6, 2006, in an 11-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. During his time with the Twins, he was one of four players nicknamed "the Piranhas" by White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén for their speed and small-ball style—the others being Jason Tyner, Luis Castillo, and Nick Punto. In 2007, he led all major league shortstops with 26 errors. On November 28, 2007, the Twins traded him, Matt Garza, and Eduardo Morlan to the Rays for Delmon Young, Jason Pridie, and Brendan Harris.

With Tampa Bay in 2008, Bartlett stole a base in the fifth inning of Game 1 of the World Series on October 22, earning America a free taco from Taco Bell. He finished that season batting .286 with one home run and was voted the Rays' MVP by local Tampa sportswriters. On July 5, 2009, he was selected to the All-Star Game, finishing the year at .320—then the highest single-season average in Rays history. On July 23, 2009, he grounded out to Alexei Ramírez for the final out of Mark Buehrle's perfect game. His 19-game hitting streak that season stood as the longest in Rays history until Yandy Díaz broke it in 2024. In 2010, he played 135 games, posting a .254/.324/.350 line. On December 17, 2010, the Rays traded him to the Padres for Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos, Brandon Gomes, and Cole Figueroa.

As the Padres' regular shortstop in 2011, Bartlett hit .245 with 2 home runs and 23 stolen bases, but his .307 slugging percentage was the lowest among all MLB players with 512 or more plate appearances. He opened 2012 as the everyday shortstop but played his last game on May 14, batting .133 with 4 RBI in 29 games. Three days later, he went on the disabled list with a right knee strain; the same day, the Padres released fellow infielder Orlando Hudson and promoted Everth Cabrera and Alexi Amarista. On August 20, 2012, the Padres placed him on unconditional release waivers. After sitting out 2013, he signed a non-roster contract with the Twins on November 11, 2013, but retired on April 19, 2014, after appearing in three games.