Joe Jiménez


Joe Alexander Jiménez is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.

Professional career

Minor Leagues (2013–2016)

Jiménez signed with the Detroit Tigers as an undrafted free agent out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in June 2013. He made his professional debut that year with the Gulf Coast Tigers. He spent 2014 with the Connecticut Tigers and started 2015 with the West Michigan Whitecaps. During the 2015 season, Jiménez went 5–1 with a 1.47 ERA, a 0.791 WHIP and 17 saves in 40 appearances for West Michigan, and was named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
During the 2016 season, Jiménez pitched for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Erie SeaWolves and the Toledo Mud Hens. In July, he pitched in the All-Star Futures Game. He had a 3–3 win-loss record with 30 saves, a 1.51 earned run average, 0.80 walks plus hits per inning pitched, and a.144 batting average against with 78 strikeouts over 53 innings pitched. Jiménez was named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Jiménez began the 2017 season with the Mud Hens.

Detroit Tigers (2017–present)

2017

On April 10, 2017, the Detroit Tigers purchased Jiménez's contract, promoting him to the major league roster. He made his Major League debut for the Tigers on April 13 in a game against the Minnesota Twins, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, while recording one strikeout. He was optioned back to the Mud Hens after the game. Jiménez was called up again on July 31, 2017, after Justin Wilson was traded. In 24 games, he had an ERA of 12.32 in 19 innings.

2018: All-Star season

Jiménez began the 2018 season in the Tigers bullpen, primarily filling a setup role. He earned his first major league save on June 2, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. On July 8, 2018, Jiménez was selected to play in the 2018 All-Star Game, his first All-Star appearance. Through the All-Star break, Jiménez had a 2.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 13 holds, 3 saves, and 48 strikeouts in 43 innings. Following the All-Star break, Jiménez had some struggles, posting a 7.78 ERA over the remainder of the season. He finished the season with a 5–4 record, 4.31 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in innings, while appearing in a team-high 68 games.

2019 season

In an up-and-down 2019 season, Jiménez assumed the closer role for the Tigers following the July 31 trade of Shane Greene to the Atlanta Braves. He saved 9 games and posted a 4.37 ERA. Jiménez also struck out 82 batters in innings for a career-high 12.4/9 IP strikeout rate.

Personal life

Joe is the younger brother of former Texas Rangers catcher A. J. Jiménez.

International career

World Baseball Classic

Jiménez played for the Puerto Rican national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic where he won a silver medal.