Jantzen Witte

Jantzen Connery Witte (born January 4, 1990) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Sokol Hluboká of the Czech Baseball Extraliga. Listed at and , he bats and throws right-handed. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

Career Early career Witte, who started playing baseball at three years old, also played tennis from when he was six until his freshman year of high school. As a result, he has been described as possessing an unusual swing that is a byproduct of his tennis background. At the field, he has a solid-average defensive profile and good glove work at both first base and third base. Witte graduated from James W. Martin High School in Arlington, Texas.

Boston Red Sox The Red Sox selected Witte in the 24th round of the 2013 MLB draft out of Texas Christian University, where he played four seasons for the TCU Horned Frogs baseball squad during 2010–2013. After the season, Witte played in the Puerto Rican Winter League. In December 2019, the Red Sox included Witte on a list of non-roster invitees to spring training. Witte did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 2, Witte elected free agency.

Seattle Mariners On January 8, 2021, Witte signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. Witte spent the 2021 season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He played in 105 games for the Rainiers, hitting .299 with 19 home runs and 70 RBIs. On November 7, 2021, Witte elected free agency.

Saitama Seibu Lions On January 1, 2022, Witte signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. Witte played in 35 games for the Lions, but struggled to a .192/.227/.283 slash with 2 home runs and 13 RBI. He became a free agent following the 2022 season.

San Diego Padres On January 25, 2023, Witte signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization. In 106 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he batted .253/.324/.460 with 17 home runs, 80 RBI, and 7 stolen bases. Witte elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Texas Rangers On March 4, 2024, Witte signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball. However, before the season, on April 9, the Texas Rangers organization purchased his contract. In 47 games for the Triple–A Round Rock Express, he batted .238/.331/.431 with seven home runs and 26 RBI. Witte was released by the Rangers organization on June 27.

Sokol Hluboká After having previously suggesting he was going to retire, Witte announced a desire to play baseball in Europe in 2025, and that he was in the process of obtaining EU citizenship. On January 21, 2025, he signed with the Sokol Hluboká of the Czech Baseball Extraliga.