Jeff Keppinger
| Jeff Keppinger | |
|---|---|
Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 20, 2004, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 23, 2013, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .282 |
| Home runs | 45 |
| Runs batted in | 295 |
| Teams | |
Jeffrey Scott Keppinger (born April 21, 1980) is an American retired Major League Baseball infielder. He played for the New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, and Chicago White Sox.
Known as a contact hitter, Keppinger consistently had one of the lowest strikeout rates in the major leagues.
Amateur career
In 1994 Keppinger played on the Dunwoody Braves summer baseball team, and was named to the AAU All-American team. He also played for the New England Collegiate Baseball League's Keene Swamp Bats.
He compiled a .380 batting average at the
Professional career
New York Mets
At the 2004 trading deadline, while Keppinger was in double-A ball, he was traded to the Mets as part of the
In 2005, Keppinger again excelled in Norfolk while hitting .337. He was poised to return to the majors in June when Kazuo Matsui was injured, but bad luck struck when Keppinger fractured his kneecap around the same time as Matsui. The injury not only prevented his return to the majors but ended his entire 2005 season.
Kansas City Royals
On July 19, 2006, Keppinger was acquired by the Kansas City Royals for middle infielder
Keppinger was called up by the Royals in August 2006. With a season-ending injury to starting third baseman Mark Teahen, Keppinger was expected to see some major league action. A key moment in his career occurred on September 9, 2006, at Boston's Fenway Park, when, after entering the game against the Red Sox as a pinch runner, he came to bat in the top of 12th inning in a 4–4 tie game with two runners on. Keppinger, batting against Manny Delcarmen, hit a ball just to the left of the right field foul pole for a three-run home run, breaking the 4–4 tie. The Royals went on to beat the Red Sox in that game 10–4.
Cincinnati Reds
On January 2, 2007, Keppinger was designated for assignment by the Royals. Eight days later, Keppinger was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. In return, the Royals received Minor League pitcher Russ Haltiwanger.
On May 13, 2008, Keppinger fractured his patella in the second inning of a game against the
Houston Astros
On March 31, 2009, Keppinger was traded to the Houston Astros for minor league infielder
San Francisco Giants
On July 19, 2011, Keppinger was traded to the San Francisco Giants for pitchers Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel. He hit a walk-off single against his former team, the Houston Astros, on August 27 and 28, 2011.[9]
Tampa Bay Rays
On January 26, 2012, Keppinger was signed to a 1-year deal with the
Chicago White Sox
On December 10, 2012, Keppinger signed a 3-year, $12 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.[11] He was designated for assignment on May 14, 2014.[12] On May 21, the White Sox officially released Keppinger.[13]
Personal life
Keppinger's older brother Billy, a left-handed pitcher, played
Keppinger resides in Dacula, Georgia.[16] He married his second wife Dihanna on October 7, 2017, at The Ritz Carlton in Lake Oconee, Georgia. [17]
References
- ^ "Jeff Keppinger's anti-strikeout crusade | Catcher Interference". Catcherinterference.wordpress.com. September 26, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ^ "Yearly League Leaders & Records for AB per SO". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ^ "Jeff Keppinger Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio | whitesox.com: Team". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ^ "Cape League Alumni Transactions March 2014". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ "2000 Orleans Cardinals". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ "2008 Major League Baseball Batting Ratios".
- ^ "Astros Acquire Keppinger from Cincinnati". Houston.astros.mlb.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ^ "Astros decide to part ways with Matsui | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben. "Giants Acquire Jeff Keppinger". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- ^ "Rays Sign Jeff Keppinger". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ Merkin, Scott (December 10, 2012). "White Sox, Keppinger complete three-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ "White Sox DFA Jeff Keppinger". ESPN.com. May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ Adams, Steve (May 21, 2014). "White Sox To Release Jeff Keppinger". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
- ^ Smith, Joe (March 16, 2012). "Jeff Keppinger give Tampa Bay Rays plenty of options". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
- ^ "Billy Keppinger Register Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
- user-generated source]
- user-generated source]
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Minor League Splits and Situational Stats[permanent dead link]
- Jeff Keppinger on Twitter
