Jesse Chavez, Relief Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

Date of Birth: 8/21/1983
Birthplace: Victorville, California
College: Riverside Community College

Jesse Chavez, relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, was first drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2002 but he only pitched in their minor league system. At the end of July, 2006, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He continued to play in the minor leagues through part of 2009, pitching for the Pirates in 15 games in 2008 and as a relief pitcher in 73 games in 2009.

In November, 2009, Chavez was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays and a month later, they traded him to the Atlanta Braves. After 28 games as a relief pitcher with the Braves in 2010, they traded him to the Kansas City Royals. Chavez finished the 2010 season with a 5-5 record and a 5.89 ERA.

Chavez didn't play for long with the Royals, pitching for them in 23 games in 2010 but just 4 games in 2011. In October, 2011, he was designated for assignment. Ten days later, the Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off waivers. However, he didn't last long with the Blue Jays, either. After just nine games with them in 2012, they traded him to the Oakland Athletics.

Chavez pitched in just four games with the Athletics in 2012 and he finished the season with a dismal 9.85 ERA. In 2013, he pitched out of Oakland's bullpen, playing in 35 games and finishing the season with 2 wins to 4 losses, 1 save, and a 3.92 ERA. He finished the 2014 season with an 8-8 record, 136 strikeouts to 49 walks, and a 3.45 ERA in 146.0 innings in 32 games.

Chavez and the Athletics agreed to a one-year, $2.15 million contract on January 12, 2015. He spent time on the DL in September, 2015, with a rib fracture. He finished the season with a 7-15 record, 136 strikeouts to 48 walks, and a 4.18 ERA in 157.0 innings in 30 games.

Chavez was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on November 20, 2015. The Blue Jays traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 1, 2016. He was a relief pitcher in 2016 with both teams. He finished the season with a 4.43 ERA and 63 strikeouts to 18 walks in 39 games with the Blue Jays and 23 games with the Dodgers. He did not pitch in the postseason.

Chavez signed a one-year contract with the Angels on November 14, 2016. He pitched in 21 games as a starter and 17 games as a reliever with the Angels in 2017. He had 7 wins and 11 losses, 119 strikeouts to 45 walks, and a 5.35 ERA in 138.0 innings.

Chavez became a free agent on November 2, 2017. He signed with the Rangers on February 23, 2018. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 19, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 5 wins and 2 losses, 5 saves, 92 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 2.55 ERA in 30 games with the Rangers and 32 games with the Cubs. He pitched 1.0 innings in the postseason and he gave up one hit.

Chavez elected free agency on October 29, 2018. He re-signed with the Rangers a month later, on November 30th. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with right elbow impingement. He finished the season with 3 wins and 5 losses, 1 save, 72 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a 4.85 ERA in 78.0 innings in 48 games.

Chavez pitched in 18 games in 2020. He finished the season with no wins and no losses, 13 strikeouts to no walks, and a 6.88 ERA in 17.0 innings.

Chavez became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He returned to the Angels on a minor league contract on February 25, 2021. He was released a month later on March 25th. He signed a minor league contract with the Braves on April 17th. He finished the 2021 season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 36 strikeouts to 11 walks, and a 2.14 ERA in 33.2 innings in 30 games. In the postseason, he gave up 5 hits and no runs in 6.1 innings in 7 games.

Chavez became a free agent again on November 3, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on March 14, 2022. He was traded to the Braves on April 21st. The Braves traded him to the Los Angeles Angels on August 2nd, and he returned to the Braves on August 30th when they claimed him off waivers.

Career pitching statistics for Chavez through 2021 include:

• 511 games played
• 966.2 innings pitched
• 44-60 win-loss record
• 868 strikeouts to 307 walks
• 4.44 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jesse Chavez
ESPN - Jesse Chavez