Jeff Tabaka

Jeffrey Jon Tabaka

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• School Kent State University
• High School Copley High School
• Debut April 19, 1994
• Final Game October 5, 2001
• Born January 17, 1964 in Barberton, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Jeff Tabaka was a well-traveled lefty reliever who took the long route to the majors. Originally drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1986 amateur draft, his minor league journey included both a selection in the 1988 Rule V Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies (the Expos then included his rights in a trade for Kevin Gross to allow the Phils to send him to the minors), and one in the expansion draft by the Florida Marlins five years later.

Tabaka finally got to the big leagues as a 30-year-old rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates 1994. His stint with the Pirates lasted 5 games in April; he was quickly waived but then signed with the San Diego Padres, where we hurled the rest of the year until the 1994 strike ended the season in early August. Tabaka came back to the Padres in 1995, spending time with the major league club and the Triple A Las Vegas Stars prior to being dealt mid-season to the Houston Astros. He continued to be a fringe big leaguer through 2001, wrapping up his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals pitching 8 games covering 3 2/3 innings.

Overall Tabaka had 6 seasons in the bigs, covering 139 games, all in relief. He finished with a 6-5 record while converting 2 saves. In the 148 1/3 innings he pitched he was tough to hit, in both good ways (only 131 hits allowed) and bad ways (82 walks). He was a lefty who likely would have gotten more opportunities if he got left-handed hitters out more consistently. His career platoon splits showed he performed better versus righties (.218/.315/.383) than versus lefties (.272/.395/.379).