Jeff Stevens
| IP | 37 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 6.324 |
| WHIP | 1.73 |
| BB/9 | 6.081 |
| SO/9 | 6.811 |
- Full name Jeffrey Allen Stevens
- Born 09/05/1983 in Berkeley, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Loyola Marymount
- Debut 07/10/2009
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Drafted in the 6th round (182nd overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2005 (signed for $145,000).
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Elsewhere in the West Coast Conference, Loyola Marymount junior RHP Jeff Stevens outpitched Stephen Kahn, his more celebrated teammate, though he went just 6-7, 3.97 himself with 76 strikeouts in 100 innings. He has good stuff, gets good deception on a 90-91 mph fastball and improved breaking ball, and demonstrated better command and competitiveness than Kahn.
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One year after drafting Stevens, the Reds shipped him to the Indians as the player to be named in the Brandon Phillips trade in 2006. Stevens began his tenure with the Indians as a starter before moving to the bullpen in 2007. The new role agreed with him, as he has averaged 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings during the last two seasons and pitched for Team USA at the World Cup in 2007 and the Olympics in 2008. He earned the save in the gold-medal game at the World Cup. Stevens has a high back elbow in his delivery, which creates deception. His four-seam fastball usually ranges from 90-94 mph and touches 95. He's aggressive with his fastball and uses it frequently, mixing in a mid-70s curveball and a cutter as well. His control wasn't as sharp last season, and once he irons it out he should get the opportunity to work out of the Cleveland bullpen. He profiles as a setup man in the big leagues and claimed a spot on the 40-man roster in November. -
In college Stevens outpitched his more celebrated teammate (and Mariners fifth-rounder) Stephen Kahn before the 2005 draft, going 6-7, 3.97 with 76 strikeouts in 100 innings. After a year and a half in the Reds system, Stevens was the player to be named in the Brandon Phillips deal, coming over in June 2006. Stevens finished the year in Double-A and moved on briefly to the Arizona Fall League before pitching for Team USA in the World Cup. He got the save for the Americans as they beat Cuba to win the gold medal. Stevens creates good down angle and deception on his 92-94 mph fastball, touching 95. He's adept at missing bats with his fastball, elevating it and hitting his spots while maintaining velocity. He also features a power mid- 80s curveball that has tremendous depth at times, though it lacks consistency. He also throws a changeup and has toyed with a cutter. Stevens had trouble maintaining his composure at times on the mound, but normally has good presence and poise. He'll start in Triple-A, but several scouts who saw Stevens in 2007 think he has the stuff to pitch in the majors now.
