Kelvin Jimenez
From BR Bullpen
Kelvin Rogelio Jimenez
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
- Born October 27, 1980 in Sanchez, Samana, D.R.
[edit] Biographical Information
Kelvin Jimenez makes his major league debut in his 7th professional season, 2007.
Jimenez debuted with the 2000 GCL Rangers, going 4-7 with a 4.62 ERA. He split 2001 between the GCL Rangers (3-3, 1 Sv, 2.56, .214 opponent average, 51 K and 9 BB in 45 2/3 IP) and the Pulaski Rangers (0-3, 6.28, .352 opponent average). In 2002, Kelvin tied David Mead for the most losses by a Rangers minor leaguer, going 5-10 with a 3.20 ERA for the Savannah Sand Gnats. His K:BB ratio was 3.14:1; he got little support from a team that had the worst record in the South Atlantic League and the second-worst offense.
In 2003, Jimenez was 6-5 with 2 saves and a 4.73 ERA for the Stockton Ports. Moving up to AA in 2004, Kelvin had a 3-5, 4.53 record for the Frisco RoughRiders but led the Rangers farm system with 67 walks as his control went sour.
Jimenez split 2005 between Frisco (3.46 ERA, 2 Sv in 6 games) and the Oklahoma RedHawks (4-6, 3 Sv, 3.63 in 37 games, 5 starts). The right-hander battled injury in 2006 and was limited to 26 relief appearances for Oklahoma (4-2, 1 Sv, 5.21, 40 K in 38 IP, but 24 BB and 40 H). He missed time with a right hand contusion and right elbow strain. In the winter, he had a 1-1, 3.86 record for Estrellas.
Jimenez was signed to a minor league contract by the St. Louis Cardinals and was 1-0 with one save and a 1.59 ERA with 12 K in 11 1/3 ERA for the Memphis Redbirds when he was called up to replace Randy Keisler, who got sent down. He debuted in the majors with a scoreless inning on April 27.
Sources: 2001-2007 Baseball Almanacs, MLB.com, Pat Doyle's Professional Baseball Player Database, MILB.com
