Kevin Jepsen
| Kevin Jepsen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Jepsen with the Minnesota Twins in 2015 | |||
| Free agent | |||
| Relief pitcher | |||
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Born: July 26, 1984 Anaheim, California | |||
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| MLB debut | |||
| September 8, 2008, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | |||
| Career statistics (through 2016 season) | |||
| Win–loss record | 18–30 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.92 | ||
| Strikeouts | 365 | ||
| Saves | 27 | ||
| Teams | |||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's baseball | ||
Representing  United States
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| Olympic Games | ||
.svg.png){kind=icon} | 2008 Beijing | Team competition |
Kevin Martin Jepsen (born July 26, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.
Professional career
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Jepsen in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Bishop Manogue High School.
Jepsen earned his first All-Star selection in the minor leagues, and was enjoying his finest season to date with a combiled 3–4 record, 13 saves, a 1.87 earned run average and 55 strikeouts for the Arkansas Travelers and Salt Lake Bees when he was selected to play for the United States national baseball team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He and his team won a bronze medal.[1]
Jepsen made his major league debut against the New York Yankees on September 8, 2008, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. He pitched one inning in a blowout game, retiring Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu, and Alex Rodriguez in order. Jepsen pitched in nine games for the Angels in the 2008 season.
Jepsen had his first full major-league season in 2009. His first year was overshadowed by the death of his teammate and friend Nick Adenhart. Jepsen was responsible for hanging up Adenhart's jersey in the dugout every game.[2] In spite of this, Jepsen threw a career-high 54 innings. He had shoulder tendinitis in September, slowing his return to Spring Training in 2010.[3] Despite this, Jepsen appeared in 68 games, recording 2 wins and 4 losses in 59 innings. In 2011, Jepsen spent time between the disabled list and the minors, appearing in only 16 games.
Tampa Bay Rays
On December 16, 2014, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Matt Joyce.[4]
Minnesota Twins
On July 31, 2015, the Minnesota Twins acquired Jepsen for Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia.[5] After closer Glen Perkins suffered an injury in the first week of the 2016 season, Jepsen was given the closer role but struggled throughout the season in the closer role and in non save situations. On July 3, he was designated for assignment after posting an ERA of 6.16 while recording just 7 saves for the last place Twins.[6] Jepsen was released on July 11.[7]
Return to Tampa Bay
On July 14, Jepsen signed a contract for the remainder of the season to return to the Rays.[8]
Pitching style
Jepsen features four pitches: a four-seam fastball at 95–99 mph, a two-seam fastball at 94–97, a cutter at 89–93, and a curveball at 83–86. The cutter is rarely used against left-handed hitters, while the two-seamer is primarily thrown to lefties. Jepsen uses his curveball most often in 2-strike counts.[9]
References
- ↑ "Minor League Baseball". Retrieved August 30, 2008.
- ↑ Spencer, Lyle (September 28, 2009). "Adenhart's memory inspires Angels". MLB.com. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
- ↑ DiGiovanna, Mike (February 22, 2010). "Angel's Matt Palmer still has a positive attitude. . .aa". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ "Angels acquire Matt Joyce from Rays for Kevin Jepsen – HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ↑ "Twins trade for Rays reliever Kevin Jepsen – HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ↑ "Twins' Kevin Jepsen: Designated for Assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ↑ Byrne, Connor (July 11, 2016). "Twins Release Kevin Jepsen". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ↑ http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/rays-in-talks-with-kevin-jepsen.html
- ↑ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Kevin Jepsen". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
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