Kevin Jepsen Stats & Scouting Report

IP	416
ERA	4.002
WHIP	1.368
BB/9	3.656
SO/9	8.07

Full name Kevin Martin Jepsen
Born 07/26/1984 in Anaheim, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Bishop Manogue
Debut 09/08/2008
Drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2002 (signed for $745,000).

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Word spread quickly early this year when Jepsen's fastball lit up the radar guns at 98 mph and his slider chimed in at 91. That solidified his stock as a first-round pick. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound righthander hasn't repeated that velocity since, but he has shown three quality major league pitches with good mechanics and an effortless delivery. His fastball, which was 89-92 mph last year when he battled minor injuries, settled in at 93-95, and his slider in the mid-to-high 80s. His slider lacks good bite and consistent command. He also has the makings of a major league-quality changeup. Jepsen doesn't have the same upside as a lot of his first-round peers because he is almost physically mature now.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Jepsen labored for five seasons in Class A, partly because he had to overcome a torn labrum in 2004 and then moved to a bullpen role in 2006. Not only did the Angels not protect him on their 40-man roster after the 2007 season, but they also didn't invite him to big league camp. Yet he ended last season with an Olympic bronze medal--he didn't allow a run in six innings for Team USA in Beijing--and a spot on Los Angeles' playoff roster. Jepsen's fastball buzzes in the mid-90s and seems to have late jump that makes it tougher to hit. His true 12-to-6 curveball gives hitters fits and changes their eye level. He works down in the zone and his pitches are tough to lift, as evidenced by his 2.3 airout/groundout ratio in 2008. Jepsen can get erratic at times with his fastball and gets into jams when he doesn't throw strikes. He relied on overmatching minor league hitters and will have to learn how to set up big leaguers. Free agent Francisco Rodriguez's departure now opens a full-time role in the Angels bullpen for Jepsen. Jose Arredondo and Scot Shields will get the first shot to replace Rodriguez as closer, but Jepsen could contend for the job in the future.
Jepsen has one of the best arms in the system, but injuries derailed him in each of his first two full seasons. He earned an assignment to low Class A as an 18-year-old with an impressive spring training in 2003, but a tender elbow ended his season after just 10 starts. He had surgery to remove bone chips and returned with a strong performance in low Class A, only to go down with a torn labrum at the end of the season. He had surgery to repair his right shoulder and could be ready to begin pitching again by spring training. When he comes back, the Angels will try to refine his laborious delivery. If he can develop an easier arm action, he'll be able to repeat his arm stroke more readily, which should help his command and his health. He led the Midwest League in walks last year. His stuff is undeniable. He owns a heavy 94-96 mph fastball that maxed out at 99 last slummer. His high-80s slider gives him a second power pitch, though it's inconsistent. His changeup is rudimentary at best. He'll open 2005 in extended spring training as he recovers from his latest setback.
Jepsen sent a shockwave through the scouting community in the spring of 2002 when he lit up radar guns with 98 mph gas and a 91 mph slider. Angels crosschecker Mark Russo was one of those scouts in attendance for Jepsen's coming-out party, and former national scouting supervisor Hank Sargent clocked Jepsen at 95 in another outing in icy conditions. Jepsen had a shaky introduction to pro ball after signing, which was attributed to a long layoff. He was so impressive in spring training last year, though, that Anaheim started him in low Class A rather than extended spring training. He went 5-0, 1.75 in his first five starts, but five starts later he was shut down with elbow tenderness. Jepsen rehabbed in Arizona before having surgery to remove bone chips. He has drawn physical comparisons to such power pitchers as Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens. His raw stuff is as good as any pitcher in the system outside of Ervin Santana, but Jepsen still is just scratching the surface of his potential. His fastball was regularly clocked in the mid-90s early last season. He throws a heavy ball, though it tends to be straight. His slider is above-average with short, late tilt at 84-87 mph. But he tends to get around it, causing it to lose its sharpness when he's searching for more break. He made strides with his changeup last season, though both it and his command need a lot of work. Jepsen impressed the Angels in some bullpen sessions during the offseason, and they expect him to be ready to return to low Class A this year.
The Anaheim scouting staff was on hand to watch the hype around Jepsen explode last spring. Crosschecker Mark Russo was in a frenzy when Jepsen registered 98 mph with a fastball and 91 with a slider. National supervisor Hank Sargent saw Jepsen touch 95 as a snowstorm brewed in another outing. Word spread fast as Jepsen's stock soared throughout the scouting community, and the Angels were thrilled to land him in the second round. After signing for $745,000, Jepsen topped out at 94 in the Arizona League but was just getting his arm back into top shape as the season ended. He's primarily a two-pitch power arm, and his delivery borders on maximum effort. Jepsen is a project, as his slider, changeup and command all need to improve, but his arm strength is intriguing. His future could be in the bullpen, but he'll stay in the rotation for now to build stamina and hone his arsenal. He's likely headed for Provo this summer after extended spring training.

Minor League Top Prospects

After repeating high Class A in 2007, Jepsen took off this year. He carved up TL hitters for two months, then did the same in Triple-A before moving on to the Olympics and the major leagues. He showed enough in nine September appearances with the Angels that they added him to their postseason roster. Jepsen has a power fastball that ranges from 93-98 mph, and his curveball, a true 12-to-6 bender, is just as difficult to hit. The biggest knock on him is his lack of control, which can get him into jams. When he harnesses his stuff and throws strikes, hitters have little chance.
Jepsen lasted just 10 starts in the MWL a year ago before a tender elbow ended his season. After having surgery to remove bone chips, he returned in 2004 and displayed the league's best fastball. Jepsen usually pitched at 94-96 mph and peaked at 97-99, and the heavy life on his fastball makes it difficult for hitters to lift. He also shows a power slider that can be nearly as unhittable when it's on, as well as some feel for a changeup. His command isn't as good as his stuff, however. Jepsen needs to do a better job of throwing each of his pitches for strikes after leading the league with 77 walks in 144 innings. His delivery is a bit long in the back and he doesn't take a direct path to the plate, though his arm action and balance are fine.