Minnesota Twins Pitcher, Jesse Crain, was born on July 5, 1981 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is a graduate of Fairview High School in Colorado where he played baseball, basketball and football. A great athlete, in 1999, he was named All-State and Colorado High School Player of the Year. He was a 2001 graduate of San Jacinto Junior College in Texas where he was an All-Conference shortstop. In 2002, he was transferred to the University of Houston and was again named an all-conference shortstop and relief pitcher.
He was drafted and signed in 2002, playing at the rookie
level, and low-A minor league levels going 3-2 (wins/losses)
with an 0.99 Earned Run Average combined. In 2003, he
managed to pitch at all three levels in the minor leagues,
going 6-3 with a 3.00 Earned Run Average. In 2004 he pitched
with the AAA-ball Rochester Red Wings and went 3-2 with
a 2.49 Earned Run Average before being called up by the
Minnesota Twins.
Jesse was called up by the Minnesota Twins in early August
of 2004, going 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA. In 2005 he made the
big league roster. By starting the season 8-0, he set
a record for most consecutive wins in relief to start
a career. By the end of the 2004 season, the Twins had
five relievers with closer-quality stuff-and that included
Jesse Crain. He definitely helped the Twins win the division
title and worked 10 straight games without allowing a
run in early September, at a time when the Twins were
hot.
Jesse is known to throw 100 MPH. Most recently, his fastball varied from 92-98 MPH because he shortened his stride to improve his command. Jesse throws a big curve and a good slider, pitches the Twins believe will improve as he learns to relax on the mound. While he has a tendency to overthrow, he is nearly un-hittable when his command is on. He is a decent fielder who needs to improve at holding baserunners.For the Twins, Jesse will pitch mostly in middle relief, and should be part of one of baseball's best bullpens.
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