Academic All-ACC 2025
Sun Belt Conference Academic Commissioner’s List 2022-2023
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District 2023
Sun Belt Conference Academic Commissioner’s List 2021-2022
2022 Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week (4/19)
REDSHIRT SENIOR (2025): Paden joined the GT Baseball family in 2025 after playing the first three seasons of his college career at Georgia Southern after recovering from Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. He made five starts over 15 appearances on the season, posting a team-best 2.91 ERA over 43.1 innings of work, striking out 51 and posting a 5-1 record with two saves. He instantly proved his rehab had worked, pitching the eighth and ninth innings of Tech’s opening day victory over Old Dominion, picking up the win after escaping a jam in the top of the eighth and slamming the door in the top of the ninth for a 3-2 victory. Paden was the backstop of the bullpen early in the season before transitioning to Sunday starter in April and May. He picked up his second save of the year on the final day of the regular season, pitching the final 4.0 scoreless innings in the Jackets’ 8-2 victory at Duke, clinching the 2025 ACC regular season championship for Tech. Pitched a career-best 6.0 no-hit innings in his final start at Russ Chandler Stadium, helping the Jackets defeat No. 20 Louisville and giving Head Coach Danny Hall a victory in his final home game as the GT skipper. He is the first Jacket pitcher to deliver a sub-3.00 ERA over 40+ inning since current major leaguer Brant Hurter of the Detroit Tigers did so back in 2019.
Before Tech…
REDSHIRT JUNIOR (2024): Did not see action in the 2024 season.
JUNIOR (2023): Made four appearances, including three starts, before being shut down with injury for the season … Earned his first career save on Opening Night in a 4-3 victory over West Virginia … Struck out 16 in 11 innings pitched, only allowing eight walks … Started midweek contests against Georgia Tech, Mercer, and Georgia.
SOPHOMORE (2022): Two-way player for the Eagles, predominantly seen on the mound … Weekend starter for the Eagles … Posted a 6-2 record in 16 pitching appearances … Had a team-high 64 strikeouts this season … Had a career-performance against Georgia State on 4/15, pitching six innings, only giving up two hits, no runs, and sat down nine Panther batters … Also played the field, knocking four hits, scoring four runs, and driving in one.
FRESHMAN (2021): Started 17 of the 37 games he appeared in this season… Played both in the field and on the mound this season… Posted a .264 average at the plate, collecting three doubles, one triple and drove in three RBIs… Scored 13 runs for the Eagles this season… Posted a 1-2 record on the mound in four starts… Pitched 25 innings and struck out 27 batters…
PREP: Attended Decatur High School in Decatur, Georgia, playing under head coach Robby Gilbert… Was the 2019 DeKalb County Pitcher of the Year, 2019 DeKalb County Doubles Leader, 2019 DeKalb County Lowest ERA, 2019 DeKalb County First-Team All-County, 2019 and 2020 First Team All-Region… Honor Roll for all four years… Played club at Beast Mode Prime under head coach Pete Sass… 2020 Preseason All-American, 2020 Southeast All-Region First Team… 2019 Preseason Underclass All-American…
PERSONAL: Born Jaylen Kendall Paden on February 2, 2002 in Decatur, Georgia…. Son of Kendria and Jonathan Paden Sr… Has one brother Jonathan Paden Jr… Father Jonathan played baseball at Georgia State University…
