Jair Jurrjens
Encyclopedia
Jair Francoise Jurrjens ( ; born January 29, 1986 in Willemstad
, Curaçao
, Kingdom of the Netherlands
is a starting pitcher
for the Atlanta Braves
of Major League Baseball
.
Jurrjens speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu.
by the Detroit Tigers
in . In seven games during his 2003 campaign with the GCL Tigers
, Jurrjens accumulated a 2–1 record with 20 strikeout
s and just three walks
. However, Jurrjens really broke out during his season with the West Michigan Whitecaps
, the Tigers' single-A affiliate. In 26 games started, Jurrjens went 12–6 with 108 strikeouts and 36 walks. He continued to improve during the season, as a 5–0, 2.08 ERA
start with the Whitecaps earned Jurrjens a promotion to the Erie SeaWolves
, the Tigers' AA affiliate. In 12 games with the SeaWolves, Jurrjens went 4–3 with a 3.36 ERA.
Jurrjens began the season pitching for the SeaWolves. On August 15, the Tigers purchased Jurrjens' contract from the SeaWolves, adding him to their 40-man roster. Jurrjens made his major league debut on August 15, 2007, as a starting pitcher against the Cleveland Indians
, making him the first pitcher from Curaçao to reach the major leagues. In that game, he gave up four earned runs in seven innings, taking the loss. He recorded his first major league win
in his next start, also against the Indians, allowing only one run on one hit in 6⅔ innings pitched.
on the Netherlands national baseball team
for the 2006 World Baseball Classic
. Jurrjens pitched one inning against Puerto Rico
in the WBC, giving up three runs and earning him a loss.
were traded to the Atlanta Braves for shortstop Edgar Rentería
. Jurrjens was listed by Baseball America
as the Braves' 3rd-best prospect entering the 2008 season.
By the end of April 2008, Jurrjens was 3–2 with a 3.05 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Jurrjens was asked prior to the game on April 20 about how he felt facing his fellow countryman Andruw Jones
. Jurrjens said, "It's going to be fun to face him", then said "It's going to be even more fun to strike him out." Jurrjens then went on to strike Jones out all three times he faced him.
Jurrjens pitched well throughout the first half of the 2008 season, compiling a 9-4 record with an impressive 3.00 ERA prior to the All-Star Break. On July 9, 2008 Jurrjens was named National League Rookie of the Month for the month of June. Jurrjens appeared to tire during the second half of the season, going 4-6 with a subpar 4.66 ERA after the All-Star Break. Overall, Jurrjens finished his rookie 2008 season with a record of 13-10 and a 3.68 ERA in 188 1/3 innings.
Jurrjens finished third in voting for the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year award. Jurrjens lost the award to Geovany Soto
and Joey Votto
.
Despite his impressive rookie season, some remained skeptical of Jurrjens' future prospects as a pitcher in the major leagues. As a result, Jurrjens went into the 2009 season looking to avoid a "sophomore slump."
Jurrjens again pitched very well in the first half of 2009, going just 7-7 but posting an excellent 2.91 ERA in 19 starts. Unlike 2008, there would be no drop-off in the second half for Jurrjens, as he went 7-3 with an exceptional 2.24 ERA in 15 second-half starts. Overall in 2009, Jurrjens went 14-10 while finishing third in the National League with a 2.60 ERA in 215 innings and tying for the league lead with 34 games started. Jurrjens' went 7-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 2010, a season in which he dealt with some health problems. He underwent arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee in October, having missed September and the Division Series with pain in his knee.
Jurrjens began the 2011 season on the DL, but got off to a strong start after he was activated. He pitched his first career shutout on July 1, 2011 against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing one hit and one walk. It was his eleventh win of the season and improved his ERA to a league-best 1.89 ERA. Jurrjens led the National League in wins and ERA at the All-Star break, and was chosen to play in his first All-Star Game
. He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the NL's 5-1 win. Following the All-Star break, Jurrjens went 0-1 with a 6.26 ERA in four starts. On August 6, the Braves placed him on the 15-day DL due to pain in his surgically repaired right knee. The move was retroactive to August 2.
Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
Willemstad is the capital city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that forms a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Formerly the capital of the Netherlands Antilles prior to its dissolution in 2010, it has an estimated population of 140,000. The historic centre of...
, Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
is a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Childhood
Jurrjens grew in a quiet neighborhood called ´Kura Piedra´ pronounced in Dutch as ´Steenkoraal or Stenenkoraal´, and was always active in baseball. His older brother, Carl Jr., also played baseball.Jurrjens speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu.
Detroit Tigers organization
Jurrjens was signed as an undrafted free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in . In seven games during his 2003 campaign with the GCL Tigers
Gulf Coast Tigers
The Gulf Coast Tigers are the Rookie Level minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The team plays in Lakeland, Florida, at Joker Marchant Stadium. The team is composed mainly of players who are in their first year of professional baseball either as draftees or non-drafted free agents from...
, Jurrjens accumulated a 2–1 record with 20 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and just three walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
. However, Jurrjens really broke out during his season with the West Michigan Whitecaps
West Michigan Whitecaps
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:...
, the Tigers' single-A affiliate. In 26 games started, Jurrjens went 12–6 with 108 strikeouts and 36 walks. He continued to improve during the season, as a 5–0, 2.08 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
start with the Whitecaps earned Jurrjens a promotion to the Erie SeaWolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
, the Tigers' AA affiliate. In 12 games with the SeaWolves, Jurrjens went 4–3 with a 3.36 ERA.
Jurrjens began the season pitching for the SeaWolves. On August 15, the Tigers purchased Jurrjens' contract from the SeaWolves, adding him to their 40-man roster. Jurrjens made his major league debut on August 15, 2007, as a starting pitcher against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, making him the first pitcher from Curaçao to reach the major leagues. In that game, he gave up four earned runs in seven innings, taking the loss. He recorded his first major league win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in his next start, also against the Indians, allowing only one run on one hit in 6⅔ innings pitched.
2006 World Baseball Classic
Jurrjens joined fellow Curaçao native Andruw JonesAndruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...
on the Netherlands national baseball team
Netherlands national baseball team
The Netherlands national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Netherlands. They are currently the top team in Europe and currently the sixth ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings....
for the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
. Jurrjens pitched one inning against Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico national baseball team
The Puerto Rico National Baseball Team is a team that is selected by the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation to compete in major international events in representation of Puerto Rico...
in the WBC, giving up three runs and earning him a loss.
Atlanta Braves
On October 29, 2007, Jurrjens and outfielder Gorkys HernandezGorkys Hernández
Gorkys Gustavo Hernández is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization currently assigned to their triple A Indianapolis Indians of the International League....
were traded to the Atlanta Braves for shortstop Edgar Rentería
Edgar Rentería
Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
. Jurrjens was listed by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
as the Braves' 3rd-best prospect entering the 2008 season.
By the end of April 2008, Jurrjens was 3–2 with a 3.05 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Jurrjens was asked prior to the game on April 20 about how he felt facing his fellow countryman Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...
. Jurrjens said, "It's going to be fun to face him", then said "It's going to be even more fun to strike him out." Jurrjens then went on to strike Jones out all three times he faced him.
Jurrjens pitched well throughout the first half of the 2008 season, compiling a 9-4 record with an impressive 3.00 ERA prior to the All-Star Break. On July 9, 2008 Jurrjens was named National League Rookie of the Month for the month of June. Jurrjens appeared to tire during the second half of the season, going 4-6 with a subpar 4.66 ERA after the All-Star Break. Overall, Jurrjens finished his rookie 2008 season with a record of 13-10 and a 3.68 ERA in 188 1/3 innings.
Jurrjens finished third in voting for the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year award. Jurrjens lost the award to Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Professional career:...
and Joey Votto
Joey Votto
Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.-Early life:Votto was born on...
.
Despite his impressive rookie season, some remained skeptical of Jurrjens' future prospects as a pitcher in the major leagues. As a result, Jurrjens went into the 2009 season looking to avoid a "sophomore slump."
Jurrjens again pitched very well in the first half of 2009, going just 7-7 but posting an excellent 2.91 ERA in 19 starts. Unlike 2008, there would be no drop-off in the second half for Jurrjens, as he went 7-3 with an exceptional 2.24 ERA in 15 second-half starts. Overall in 2009, Jurrjens went 14-10 while finishing third in the National League with a 2.60 ERA in 215 innings and tying for the league lead with 34 games started. Jurrjens' went 7-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 2010, a season in which he dealt with some health problems. He underwent arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee in October, having missed September and the Division Series with pain in his knee.
Jurrjens began the 2011 season on the DL, but got off to a strong start after he was activated. He pitched his first career shutout on July 1, 2011 against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing one hit and one walk. It was his eleventh win of the season and improved his ERA to a league-best 1.89 ERA. Jurrjens led the National League in wins and ERA at the All-Star break, and was chosen to play in his first All-Star Game
2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 82nd in-season exhibition game between the All-Stars of the National League and the American League ; the leagues composing Major League Baseball. The event was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the...
. He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the NL's 5-1 win. Following the All-Star break, Jurrjens went 0-1 with a 6.26 ERA in four starts. On August 6, the Braves placed him on the 15-day DL due to pain in his surgically repaired right knee. The move was retroactive to August 2.
External links
- Article on Jurrjens @ MLB Center - http://www.mlbcenter.com/articles/jair-jurrjens-schulman_080508.html