Jeff Stevens
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Allen Stevens (born September 5, 1983, in Berkeley, California
) is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who is currently a free agent. He was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds
in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
. He also attended Campolindo Highschool in Moraga.
, and relieved at Loyola Marymount University
from 2003-05. While at LMU, Stevens recorded back-to-back All-Conference honors in 2004 and 2005. Over his three-year stint as a Lion, Stevens recorded a 14-10 record with a 4.43 ERA
in 64 appearances, 30 of them starts.
Stevens was drafted by the Reds in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
.
in 2005, going 4-4 with a 2.98 ERA
.
Stevens started 2006 with the Single-A Dayton Dragons
. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians
as the player to be named later in the Brandon Phillips
trade. He was assigned to Single-A Lake County Captains
where he spent the remainder of the 2006 season.
In 2007, Stevens was moved to the bullpen and began the year with the Kinston Indians
. He was 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA, with 37 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched for Kinston. He was promoted to Double-A Akron Aeros
where he was 3-1 with a 3.17 ERA and 2 saves in 34 games.
Stevens began the campaign with the Aeros. After going 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA
, he earned a promotion to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
. He was 0-2 with a 4.00 ERA when his season ended as a result of being named to the US Olympic
Baseball Team to play in Beijing
.
In December 2008, Stevens was traded from the Cleveland Indians
to the Chicago Cubs
in a deal for Mark DeRosa
.
On July 10, 2009 Stevens made his Major League debut for the Chicago Cubs
. Stevens had a 1-2-3 MLB debut, getting Joe Thurston
, Chris Duncan
and Brendan Ryan
in order in the 9th inning of a 8-3 loss to the Cardinals
. He was optioned back to the minor leagues on August 5, 2009 when Aaron Miles
was activated from the 15-day disabled list
.
He was designated for assignment by the Cubs on May 30, 2011.
advanced to third base
when Stevens attempted to pick him off
at first, but threw the ball erratically. This was scored as an error
. It was a costly one as the batter then hit a sacrifice fly
and Lee scored, winning the game for Korea.
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
) is a 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...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who is currently a free agent. He was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. He also attended Campolindo Highschool in Moraga.
College
Stevens startedStarting 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....
, and relieved at Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
from 2003-05. While at LMU, Stevens recorded back-to-back All-Conference honors in 2004 and 2005. Over his three-year stint as a Lion, Stevens recorded a 14-10 record with a 4.43 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...
in 64 appearances, 30 of them starts.
Stevens was drafted by the Reds in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
.
Professional career
Stevens made his professional debut with the Billings MustangsBillings Mustangs
The Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948 with a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, and has been affiliated...
in 2005, going 4-4 with a 2.98 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...
.
Stevens started 2006 with the Single-A Dayton Dragons
Dayton Dragons
The Dayton Dragons are a Class A minor league baseball team from Dayton, Ohio affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. They play in the Midwest League at Fifth Third Field.The Dragons came to Dayton in 2000...
. He was traded to 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...
as the player to be named later in the Brandon Phillips
Brandon Phillips
Brandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
trade. He was assigned to Single-A Lake County Captains
Lake County Captains
The Lake County Captains are a minor league baseball team in Eastlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The team, a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, plays in the Midwest League....
where he spent the remainder of the 2006 season.
In 2007, Stevens was moved to the bullpen and began the year with the Kinston Indians
Kinston Indians
The Kinston Indians were a minor league baseball team of the Carolina League , and the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. They were located in Kinston, North Carolina, and were named for their parent club...
. He was 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA, with 37 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched for Kinston. He was promoted to Double-A Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
where he was 3-1 with a 3.17 ERA and 2 saves in 34 games.
Stevens began the campaign with the Aeros. After going 5-1 with a 2.51 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...
, he earned a promotion to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
. He was 0-2 with a 4.00 ERA when his season ended as a result of being named to the US Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
Baseball Team to play in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.
In December 2008, Stevens was traded from 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...
to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in a deal for Mark DeRosa
Mark DeRosa
Mark Thomas DeRosa is a Major League Baseball player. DeRosa is a utility player who has been primarily a second baseman, but can play other positions, including the outfield; he played six positions for the Chicago Cubs. He bats right-handed.DeRosa was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 7th...
.
On July 10, 2009 Stevens made his Major League debut for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Stevens had a 1-2-3 MLB debut, getting Joe Thurston
Joe Thurston
Joseph William Thurston is an American professional baseball utility player for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, St...
, Chris Duncan
Chris Duncan
Christopher Edwin Duncan is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman who is currently a free agent.He is the youngest son of Dave Duncan, a former catcher and current pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
and Brendan Ryan
Brendan Ryan (baseball)
Brendan Wood Ryan is an American Major League Baseball shortstop for the Seattle Mariners. While he has typically fielded at shortstop in his professional career, Ryan has been known to play at second and third base and has dabbled with pitching.-Early and personal life:Ryan was born in Los...
in order in the 9th inning of a 8-3 loss to the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. He was optioned back to the minor leagues on August 5, 2009 when Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
was activated from the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
.
He was designated for assignment by the Cubs on May 30, 2011.
2008 Beijing Olympics
With the score tied at 7, Lee Taek-KeunLee Taek-Keun
Lee Taek-Keun is an outfielder who plays for the LG Twins in the Korea Baseball Organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Amateur career:...
advanced to third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
when Stevens attempted to pick him off
Pickoff
In baseball, a pickoff is an act by a pitcher or a catcher, throwing a live ball to a fielder so that the fielder can tag out a baserunner who is either leading off or about to begin stealing the next base....
at first, but threw the ball erratically. This was scored as an error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
. It was a costly one as the batter then hit a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
and Lee scored, winning the game for Korea.