Jake Fraley - Faith Like a Child

Faith Like a Child

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4

A graduate of LSU and the recipient of the 2019 Seattle Mariners Minor League Player of the Year award, Jake Fraley has quickly made a name for himself as a player to watch as he has risen to the MLB with Seattle. The 77th pick of the 2016 draft, Fraley has been praised for his all around skill and leadership. On the field, he is becoming a player to watch as he has tore up the minors and gears for his time in the majors, built it is his faith that Fraley wants to be known for.

Born in Frederick, Maryland, Jake Fraley says growing up Catholic, faith was always a part of his life. But as he began to grow and experience faith for himself, he says it became more of a priority for him. “Faith has always been important to me, but it has not always been my priority and focus. As I got to the end half of my high school career, it really started becoming more and more of a priority for me. Still not my focus until I went to LSU. My chaplain there, one of my favorite human beings to this day, really led me and the Lord really used him in a lot of mighty ways in my life. From that point I really started transitioning to making faith a priority and a focus.” It was during his time at LSU that he became a stellar piece of the Tigers’ outfield and got ready for his name to be called in the 2016 draft as well.

After being picked by the Seattle Mariners, Fraley has worked his way through their system on his way to the MLB. As he has gone through the ups and downs, he says it is his reliance on faith that keeps him grounded. “For me, I was struggling with seeking out what the Lord can do for me instead of seeking out who He is. When I can bring myself to seek who He is everyday and I can place myself in that, it lays the foundation for me going forward. This is such a selfish career in that the better you do the more people know who you are, and it’s very easy to get wrapped up in all of that. And for me it has been making it a foundation to live for Him everyday. It’s really something the Lord has prepared me for and continues to prepare me for.” Soon, Fraley made his major league debut in 2019 and became a piece of the Mariners team in the shortened 2020 season. As he has made moves on the field, off the field he is a proud husband and father.

Jake and Angelica, his wife of four years, say that for them, faith is the foundation of their marriage. Angelica says that from the moment she and Jake began dating, they knew they had to make faith a priority. “Faith was the foundation from the beginning. When we met we decided Jesus would be the center of our relationship and it’s the best thing we’ve ever done. We believe that’s the key to any relationship or marriage. When Jesus is the foundation and you rely on Him during the bad times and rejoice and worship during the good ones you can do anything.” Jake reflects those words himself and is so grateful for Angelica and their faith together. “As a husband, when my wife and I started dating, it was an immediate understanding that our relationship is completely and wholly based around Jesus. We placed those foundational pieces from the beginning of our relationship.”

Together, Jake and Angelica have also been growing as parents to their two kids. Jake says being a father has really taught him the true meaning of what it’s like to have faith like a child.“Being a husband and a father has been an absolute blessing. It has been a very big way in showing me truly what God means when he says to come to Him with childlike faith. Anything and everything you say is an automatic belief in your kids eyes. And you listen, no matter what it is.” Angelica too is so grateful for her job as a mother and the opportunity to lead her kids up in faith. “Same with our kids, nurturing their relationship with the Lord from early on and teaching them how much their Father in heaven loves them is our top priority as parents”

Although it was not the season Jake or Angelica expected, they were grateful for the chance to play baseball even in the midst of such an uncertain time. As Fraley continues to impress and draw attention to his name, he continues to emphasize reflecting that praise back to God and giving him the glory through it all.