Joe Jiménez

Joe Alexander Jiménez (born January 17, 1995) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2017 and was an All-Star in 2018.

This article is about the baseball player. For the golfer, see Joe Jimenez. For the businessman, see Joseph Jimenez.

Joe Jiménez
Jiménez with Detroit Tigers in 2018
Atlanta Braves – No. 77
Pitcher
Born: (1995-01-17) January 17, 1995
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 13, 2017, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record19–22
Earned run average4.86
Strikeouts406
Saves20
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Puerto Rico
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal – second place2017 Los AngelesNational team

Professional career

Minor leagues (2013–2016)

Jiménez signed with the Detroit Tigers as an undrafted free agent out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in June 2013. He made his professional debut that year with the Gulf Coast Tigers. He spent 2014 with the Connecticut Tigers and started 2015 with the West Michigan Whitecaps.[1][2] During the 2015 season, Jiménez went 5–1 with a 1.47 ERA, a 0.791 WHIP and 17 saves in 40 appearances for West Michigan, and was named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year.[3]

During the 2016 season, Jiménez pitched for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Erie SeaWolves and the Toledo Mud Hens.[4][5] In July, he pitched in the All-Star Futures Game.[6] He had a 3–3 win–loss record with 30 saves, a 1.51 earned run average (ERA), 0.80 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), and a .144 batting average against with 78 strikeouts over 53+2⁄3 innings pitched. Jiménez was named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year.[7][8][9] Jiménez began the 2017 season with the Mud Hens.[10]

Jiménez played for the Puerto Rican national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic prior to the 2017 season, where he won a silver medal.[11]

Detroit Tigers (2017–2022)
Jiménez in 2017

On April 10, 2017, the Detroit Tigers purchased Jiménez's contract, promoting him to the major league roster.[10] He made his Major League debut for the Tigers on April 13 in a game against the Minnesota Twins, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, while recording one strikeout. He was optioned back to the Mud Hens after the game.[12] Jiménez was called up again on July 31, 2017, after Justin Wilson was traded.[13] In 24 games, he had an ERA of 12.32 in 19 innings.

Jiménez began the 2018 season in the Tigers bullpen, primarily filling a setup role. He earned his first major league save on June 2, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.[14] On July 8, 2018, Jiménez was selected to play in the 2018 All-Star Game, his first All-Star appearance. Through the All-Star break, Jiménez had a 2.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 13 holds, 3 saves, and 48 strikeouts in 43 innings.[15] Following the All-Star break, Jiménez had some struggles, posting a 7.78 ERA over the remainder of the season. He finished the season with a 5–4 record, 4.31 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in 62+2⁄3 innings, while appearing in a team-high 68 games.

Jiménez began the 2019 season in a setup role, but assumed the closer role for the Tigers following the July 31, 2019, trade of Shane Greene to the Atlanta Braves.[16] He saved 9 games and posted a 4.37 ERA. Jiménez also struck out 82 batters in 59+2⁄3 innings for a career-high 12.4/9 IP strikeout rate. With the 2020 Detroit Tigers, Jiménez appeared in 25 games, compiling a 1–3 record with 7.15 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 22+2⁄3 innings pitched.[17]

On January 15, 2021, the Tigers and Jiménez agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration.[18] On March 27, 2021, the Tigers optioned Jiménez to the team's alternate training site in Toledo.[19] Before the Toledo Mud Hens season began, Jiménez was recalled to the Tigers on April 15. He was optioned back to Toledo on April 21, then recalled again on May 8.[20] Jiménez made 52 relief appearances for the 2021 Tigers, posting a 6–1 record with a 5.96 ERA while striking out 57 batters in 45+1⁄3 innings.

On March 22, 2022, the Tigers and Jiménez agreed on a one-year contract worth $1.79 million, avoiding arbitration.[21] He responded with one of his best seasons as a Tiger. Appearing mostly in middle relief, he made 62 appearances, posting a 3–2 record with a 3.49 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, while striking out 77 batters in 56+2⁄3 innings.

Atlanta Braves

On December 7, 2022, the Tigers traded Jiménez to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Justyn-Henry Malloy and Jake Higginbotham.[22][23]

On January 13, 2023, Jiménez signed a one-year, $2.765 million contract with the Braves, avoiding salary arbitration.[24]

Pitch selection

Jiménez mixes three primary pitches. He throws a four-seam fastball that averages 94 to 96 miles per hour (151 to 154 km/h), topping out at 99 miles per hour (159 km/h). His offspeed pitches include a slider that averages 84 to 86 miles per hour (135 to 138 km/h) and a changeup averaging 88 to 90 miles per hour (142 to 145 km/h).[25]

Personal life

Joe is the younger brother of former Texas Rangers catcher A. J. Jiménez.[26]

See also

References
  1. sHenning, Lynn (May 10, 2015). "Tigers prospect Jimenez flashes big fastball, talent". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  2. "Alcanza las 98 millas la recta de Joe Jiménez". El Nuevo Dia. May 27, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  3. Iott, Chris (October 7, 2015). "Detroit Tigers prospects Michael Gerber, Joe Jimenez honored for play in 2015 season". MLive.com. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  4. Sharp, Drew (August 3, 2016). "Sharp: Tigers, fans need to be patient with ace reliever Joe Jimenez". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  5. Woodbery, Evan (July 28, 2016). "Tigers prospect Joe Jimenez promoted to Triple-A Toledo". MLive.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  6. Fenech, Anthony (July 10, 2016). "Detroit Tigers' Joe Jimenez showcases progress at Futures Game". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  7. Woodbery, Evan (September 24, 2016). "Joe Jimenez, Christin Stewart named Tigers' top minor league players". MLive.com. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  8. Henning, Lynn (September 5, 2016). "Joe Jimenez needs more polish, won't join Tigers". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  9. Fenech, Anthony (October 29, 2016). "Tigers GM Al Avila: No rush to bring Joe Jimenez up from minors". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  10. Fenech, Anthony (April 10, 2017). "Detroit Tigers call up prized prospect Joe Jimenez". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  11. Thornburg, Chad (February 8, 2017). "Young stars join Beltran, Yadi for Puerto Rico". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  12. Fenech, Anthony (April 13, 2017). "Tigers fail to sweep as Zimmermann and Sanchez hit hard in 11-5 loss". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  13. "Tigers recall Joe Jimenez, John Hicks in wake of Monday morning trade". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  14. Rogacki, Rob (June 2, 2018). "Watch Joe Jimenez earn his first career save for the Tigers". BlessYouBoys.com. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  15. "2018 MLB STATS AND LEADERS: AL, Regular Season, Pitching Relief, REL". FoxSports.com. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  16. Bowman, Mark (July 31, 2019). "Braves bolster bullpen with Greene, Melancon". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  17. "Joe Jiménez Stats, Fantasy & News".
  18. "Tigers avoid arbitration with all 8 remaining players". foxsports.com. January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  19. Petzold, Evan (March 27, 2021). "Detroit Tigers set Opening Day roster: Renato Nunez out, Harold Castro, Akil Baddoo in". freep.com. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  20. Castillo, Roger (May 8, 2021). "Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes is optioned to Toledo recall Joe Jimenez". motorcitybengals.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  21. "Joe Jimenez - Contract Details". spotrac.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  22. "Tigers add 2 prospects in 'very difficult' trade". MLB.com. December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  23. Toscano, Justin (December 8, 2022). "Braves trade prospects to Tigers, acquire coveted reliever Joe Jiménez". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  24. Bowman, Mark (January 13, 2023). "Fried, Braves likely heading to arb hearing". MLB.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  25. "Joe Jimenez PitchFX at fangraphs.com". fangraphs.com. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  26. "Tigers will take look at Joe Jimenez's brother at open tryout".
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