Ubaldo Jimenez
From BR Bullpen
Ubaldo Jimenez Garcia
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 200 lb.
- Debut September 26, 2006
- Born January 22, 1984 in Nagua D.R.
[edit] Biographical Information
Ubaldo Jimenez is a pitcher in the Colorado Rockies system. Jimenez debuted with the DSL Rockies in 2001, going 2-5 with a 4.88 ERA. He split 2002 between the DSL Rockies (2-0, 0.00) and the Casper Rockies (3-5, 6.53). He led the Pioneer League that year with 45 earned runs allowed.
Ubaldo had a fine 2003 season for the Asheville Tourists, going 10-6 with a 3.46 ERA and a .229 opponent average. He made one appearance with the Visalia Oaks, hurling five innings of 3-hit, 1-walk ball, striking out seven and earning the victory. Jimenez had a 4-1, 2.23 record in 9 starts for the 2004 Oaks, allowing 29 hits in 44 1/3 IP while striking out 61, but a posterior right shoulder strain sidelined him most of the season.
In 2005, the youngster hit the comeback trail with the Modesto Nuts (5-3, 3.98, 9.71 K/9, but also 4.98 BB/9) and the Tulsa Drillers (2-5, 5.43). He began 2006 with Tulsa and did well (9-2, 2.45, 86 K in 73 1/3 IP, only 49 hits and 2 home runs allowed, but with 40 walks). He had a 5-2, 5.06 record with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and made his major league debut with the 2006 Rockies. A September call-up, he had a 3.52 ERA in two games. Baseball America rated him the #6 Texas League prospect and the best pitching prospect in the TL.
Jimenez split 2007 between Colorado Springs (8-5, 5.85) and the Rockies (4-4, 4.28). He pitched well in his first two playoff outings then lost a game 2 duel in the 2007 World Series to Curt Schilling.
He was a member of the 2008 Rockies rotation and did well, going 12-12 with a 3.99 ERA (115 ERA+). He walked 103 but fanned 172 in 198 2/3 IP. He was two walks behind Oliver Perez for the 2008 NL lead and was third with 16 wild pitches.
For the Dominican national team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Jimenez got the start in a make-or-break game against the Dutch national team, which had beaten the Dominicans previously. He struck out 10 in four shutout innings before giving way to Pedro Martinez. In the process, he set a new World Baseball Classic record for strikeouts in a game, surpassing Koji Uehara's 8 in 2006. The Dominicans went on to lose the game 2-1, though. He went to have his best season for the Rockies in 2009, posting a 15-12 record in 33 starts, with a 3.47 ERA and 198 strikeouts as the Rockies clinched the National League wild card. He started two games in the NLDS but was charged with a loss in the series opener as the Rockies lost in four games to the Philles.
Sources include 2002-2007 Baseball Almanacs
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2009)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (2009)
