Jeffrey Karstens
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Wayne Karstens (born September 24, 1982, in San Diego, California
) is a right-handed starting pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
in Spring Valley, California. In his senior season, he was the team's Most Valuable Player
, a First-Team All-Conference Honors selection, and a Second-Team All-San Diego selection. In his senior year, he posted an 8-2 record with a 2.99 ERA
. After high school, Karstens attended Grossmont College
and Texas Tech University
in Lubbock, Texas
, where he played for the Red Raiders
.
by the New York Yankees
. He played the season with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder
, posting a 12-11 record with a 4.15 ERA and 147 strikeout
s. He led his team in wins
with 12 (3rd most in the league
), in Games started with 27 (2nd in the league), and in innings pitched
with 169 (4th in the league).
Karstens started the season with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers
. He struggled, posting an 0-5 record with a 9.85 ERA. This resulted in his demotion to Double-A Trenton. At Trenton, he went 6-0 with a 2.31 ERA. His success was rewarded with a trip back to Columbus, where he compiled a 5-0 record with a 1.85 ERA. Karstens was called up from Triple-A Columbus on August 19, 2006. Three days later, he made his Major League debut for the Yankees on August 22, against the Seattle Mariners
. He went 5⅔ innings, allowing three earned run
s on six hits
and two walks
for a no-decision in a 6-5 loss. He struck out
two and gave up two home run
s. On August 27, 2006, he went 6.0 innings giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs in an 11-8 win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
. In that outing, Karstens walked 2, struck out 1, and earned his first career Major League victory.
In spring training
prior to the season, Karstens had an outstanding performance. The first nine innings he pitched were the equivalent of a nine inning shutout. Following that he had a poor four run outing yet he was still considered a darkhorse to make the rotation. The most probable situation would be that he start the season as the long reliever with an occasional spot start. Karstens was shut down due to elbow tendinitis and placed on the 15-day disabled list
to start the season, allowing Darrell Rasner
to take his spot in the rotation, which he earned after a hamstring injury to staff ace Chien-Ming Wang
. After injuries to Yankees starters Mike Mussina
and Carl Pavano
, he was activated to join the Yankee 40-man roster. On April 28, , in a game against the Boston Red Sox
, Karstens was struck in the leg by a line drive off the bat of Boston shortstop Julio Lugo
, the first batter of the game. He faced only one more batter before being taken out. It was later reported that Karstens fractured his fibula and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He was later moved to the 60-day disabled list, and then activated on August 1.
On August 14, 2007, Karstens gave up 5 earned runs in only 3 innings, raising his season ERA to 11.20. The next day, he was optioned back to the Minor Leagues. He was reactivated on September 9. Karstens began the season on the 15-day disabled list, but was later activated and immediately optioned to the minors.
, Ross Ohlendorf
, and Dan McCutchen from the New York Yankees
for outfielder Xavier Nady
and pitcher Damaso Marte
. On August 1, 2008, Jeff made his Pirates debut, defeating the Chicago Cubs
. In Karsten's next start on August 6, he had a perfect game against the Arizona Diamondbacks
through 7.2 innings before surrendering a double to Chris Young in the 8th inning. Karstens, and the Pirates, won 2-0 over Randy Johnson
; Karstens gave up two hits and a walk.
In 2009, Karstens was fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for hitting Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun
square between his shoulder blades with a pitch in April.http://www.tribune-democrat.com/sports/local_story_123001351.htmlhttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090428&content_id=4468392&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb The Brewers took exception to this and later in the season Karstens was hit by a pitch in the left shoulder by a Milwaukee pitcher. He finished his 2009 campaign of 39 games (13 of which he started) with a 4-6 record, a 5.42 ERA, gave up 12 home runs, hit 2 batsmen, walked 45, struck out 52, had a .279 average against, 1.48 walks and hits per inning pitched, in just 108 innings pitched. Karstens was designated for assignment
following the 2009 season. On November 30, 2009, Karstens cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
.
In 2010, Karstens attended Pirates spring training as a non-roster invitee. He pitched relief in 8 games for a 6.23 ERA and was reassigned to the minor league camp. He began the season in the AAA Indianapolis bullpen, but problems with starting Pirates starting pitching prompted a call-up on April 27.
Since that time, Karstens has become the Pirates' most reliable starting pitcher, posting an ERA of 4.31 that is the lowest out of the starting rotation.Karstens was the pitching matchup in the highly anticipated debut of young phenom Stephen Strasburg
, giving up 9 hits for 4 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings for his second loss of the season.
On July 18, 2011, Karstens was named as the National League Player of the Week for the period of July 11 - July 17, 2011. Karstens pitched a complete-game shutout on July 15 in a 4-0 win over the Houston Astros
and became the first Pirates starter to win five consecutive decisions since Ian Snell
in June 2006.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
) is a right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
High school and college
Karstens attended Mount Miguel High SchoolMount Miguel High School
Mount Miguel High School is a public, comprehensive high school located in Spring Valley, California and serves over 2,000 students in grades nine through twelve. Opened in 1957, Mount Miguel is the fourth of twelve high schools constructed in the Grossmont Union High School District...
in Spring Valley, California. In his senior season, he was the team's Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
, a First-Team All-Conference Honors selection, and a Second-Team All-San Diego selection. In his senior year, he posted an 8-2 record with a 2.99 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. After high school, Karstens attended Grossmont College
Grossmont College
Grossmont College is a community college located in El Cajon, California, in the county of San Diego. The campus sits in the Fletcher Hills community of El Cajon and is bordered by the cities of San Diego and Santee. Grossmont College is one of the two colleges that make up the Grossmont-Cuyamaca...
and Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, where he played for the Red Raiders
Texas Tech Red Raiders baseball
The Texas Tech Red Raiders baseball team represents Texas Tech University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team competes in the Big 12 Conference and plays at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.-Early years:...
.
New York Yankees
Karstens was drafted in the 19th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. He played the season with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
, posting a 12-11 record with a 4.15 ERA and 147 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. He led his team in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
with 12 (3rd most in the league
Eastern League (U.S. baseball)
The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
), in Games started with 27 (2nd in the league), and in innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
with 169 (4th in the league).
Karstens started the season with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
. He struggled, posting an 0-5 record with a 9.85 ERA. This resulted in his demotion to Double-A Trenton. At Trenton, he went 6-0 with a 2.31 ERA. His success was rewarded with a trip back to Columbus, where he compiled a 5-0 record with a 1.85 ERA. Karstens was called up from Triple-A Columbus on August 19, 2006. Three days later, he made his Major League debut for the Yankees on August 22, against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. He went 5⅔ innings, allowing three earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s on six hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and two walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
for a no-decision in a 6-5 loss. He struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
two and gave up two home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. On August 27, 2006, he went 6.0 innings giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs in an 11-8 win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. In that outing, Karstens walked 2, struck out 1, and earned his first career Major League victory.
In spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
prior to the season, Karstens had an outstanding performance. The first nine innings he pitched were the equivalent of a nine inning shutout. Following that he had a poor four run outing yet he was still considered a darkhorse to make the rotation. The most probable situation would be that he start the season as the long reliever with an occasional spot start. Karstens was shut down due to elbow tendinitis and placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
to start the season, allowing Darrell Rasner
Darrell Rasner
Darrell Wayne Rasner is a starting pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League.Rasner attended the University of Nevada, where he was a health ecology major...
to take his spot in the rotation, which he earned after a hamstring injury to staff ace Chien-Ming Wang
Chien-Ming Wang
Chien-Ming Wang is a Taiwanese Major League Baseball pitcher. He was initially signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Yankees for the 2000 season, and played for the Staten Island Yankees...
. After injuries to Yankees starters Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina
Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
and Carl Pavano
Carl Pavano
Carl Anthony Pavano is an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently with the Minnesota Twins.-Early career:...
, he was activated to join the Yankee 40-man roster. On April 28, , in a game against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Karstens was struck in the leg by a line drive off the bat of Boston shortstop Julio Lugo
Julio Lugo
Julio Cesar Lugo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder but is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. Lugo is the older brother of baseball pitcher Ruddy Lugo....
, the first batter of the game. He faced only one more batter before being taken out. It was later reported that Karstens fractured his fibula and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He was later moved to the 60-day disabled list, and then activated on August 1.
On August 14, 2007, Karstens gave up 5 earned runs in only 3 innings, raising his season ERA to 11.20. The next day, he was optioned back to the Minor Leagues. He was reactivated on September 9. Karstens began the season on the 15-day disabled list, but was later activated and immediately optioned to the minors.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On July 26, 2008, Karstens was acquired by the Pirates with Jose TabataJose Tabata
José Nicolas Tábata is a professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was an international signee of the New York Yankees and, by 2008, became the Yankees' No. 2 prospect...
, Ross Ohlendorf
Ross Ohlendorf
Curtis Ross Ohlendorf is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is known for his hard-biting sinker. He can hit 97 mph with a two-seam sinking fastball, and he's working to improve his developing changeup, slider, and breaking ball.-High School and College...
, and Dan McCutchen from the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for outfielder Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
and pitcher Damaso Marte
Dámaso Marté
Dámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...
. On August 1, 2008, Jeff made his Pirates debut, defeating the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. In Karsten's next start on August 6, he had a perfect game against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
through 7.2 innings before surrendering a double to Chris Young in the 8th inning. Karstens, and the Pirates, won 2-0 over Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
; Karstens gave up two hits and a walk.
In 2009, Karstens was fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for hitting Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
square between his shoulder blades with a pitch in April.http://www.tribune-democrat.com/sports/local_story_123001351.htmlhttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090428&content_id=4468392&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb The Brewers took exception to this and later in the season Karstens was hit by a pitch in the left shoulder by a Milwaukee pitcher. He finished his 2009 campaign of 39 games (13 of which he started) with a 4-6 record, a 5.42 ERA, gave up 12 home runs, hit 2 batsmen, walked 45, struck out 52, had a .279 average against, 1.48 walks and hits per inning pitched, in just 108 innings pitched. Karstens was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
following the 2009 season. On November 30, 2009, Karstens cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
.
In 2010, Karstens attended Pirates spring training as a non-roster invitee. He pitched relief in 8 games for a 6.23 ERA and was reassigned to the minor league camp. He began the season in the AAA Indianapolis bullpen, but problems with starting Pirates starting pitching prompted a call-up on April 27.
Since that time, Karstens has become the Pirates' most reliable starting pitcher, posting an ERA of 4.31 that is the lowest out of the starting rotation.Karstens was the pitching matchup in the highly anticipated debut of young phenom Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
, giving up 9 hits for 4 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings for his second loss of the season.
On July 18, 2011, Karstens was named as the National League Player of the Week for the period of July 11 - July 17, 2011. Karstens pitched a complete-game shutout on July 15 in a 4-0 win over the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and became the first Pirates starter to win five consecutive decisions since Ian Snell
Ian Snell
Ian Dante Snell is an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. From -, he went by the name Ian Oquendo, adopting the last name of his wife, and during the 2009 World Baseball Classic he went by Ian Davila-Snell, adopting his stepfather's surname...
in June 2006.