Kevin Jepsen, Relief Pitcher


Date of Birth: 7/26/1984
Birthplace: Anaheim, California

Kevin Jepsen, relief pitcher, was first drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2002. He played in the Angels' minor league system from 2002 through most of 2008, joining the Angels for nine games in 2008.

In 2009, his first full season in the major leagues, Jepsen pitched 54.2 innings in 54 games. He finished the season with a 6-4 record, 1 save, 48 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 4.94 ERA. The following season, he had a 3.97 ERA in 59.0 innings in 68 games with the Angels.

Jepsen suffered from injuries in 2011 and he played in just 16 games with the Angels. He also played in 24 games in the minors. The next season, he pitched in 49 games with the Angels and in 23 games in the minors. In 2013, he pitched 36.0 innings in 45 games with the Angels and he had a 4.50 ERA, up from his 3.02 ERA in 2012.

Jepsen had his best season with the Angels in 2014. In 74 games, he had a 2.63 ERA and a career high 75 strikeouts (to 23 walks) in 65.0 innings.

The Angels traded Jepsen to the Tampa Bay Rays on December 16, 2014. He played with the Rays until July 31, 2015, when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins. He had his best season in 2015, playing in a career high 75 games (46 games with the Rays and 29 games with the Twins). He pitched a career high 69.2 innings and had 15 saves and a career low ERA of 2.33.

Jepsen was released by the Twins on July 11, 2016. Four days later, he signed with the Rays. He finished the 2016 season with a 5.98 ERA in 33 games with the Twins and 25 games with the Rays. He had 2 wins to 6 losses, 7 saves, and 35 strikeouts to 21 walks in 49.2 innings.

Jepsen became a free agent on November 3, 2016. He signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on February 13, 2017. He spent the 2017 season in the minors.

Jepsen elected free agency on November 6, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on December 14, 2017. He was released on May 27, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with a 5.94 ERA in 16.2 innings in 21 games.

Jepsen hasn't played professional baseball since 2018.

Career pitching statistics for Jepsen through 2018 include:

  • 469 games played
  • 416.2 innings pitched
  • 18-33 win-loss record
  • 27 saves
  • 373 strikeouts to 169 walks
  • 4.00 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Kevin Jepsen
ESPN - Kevin Jepsen