Jeremy Papelbon

Jeremy Joseph Papelbon (born June 24, 1983 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a pitcher for the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. He was drafted in the 19th round (569 overall pick) of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida, during the off-season. He is 6'1" and weighs 205 pounds. He bats right-handed and throws left-handed. He is the younger brother of Boston Red Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon, and twin brother of Josh Papelbon, who plays for the Lancaster JetHawks, the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

Career

High school

Papelbon attended high school at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he graduated with honors in 2002. He had an overall record of 21-3 with a 1.32 ERA. Papelbon was named to the all-state first team. His win in the state semifinal helped his team win the state championship. [http://unfospreys.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/papelbon_jeremy00.html] Papelbon was named the 2002 Times-Union Baseball Player of the Year, Bishop Kenny's Player of the Year, 2002 Jasper winner for high school baseball player

College

At the University of North Florida, Papelbon was used sparingly, appearing in eight games (one start), finishing the season with an 0-1 record and a 9.95 ERA. He recorded 11 strikeouts and allowed seven walks in 6.1 innings. He wore the number 16 during his collegiate career.

In by|2005, he made 17 appearances (five starts), compiling a 3-3 record, two saves (third best on the UNF staff), and a 3.18 ERA (third on the team) in 51 innings of work. Papelbon recorded 43 strikeouts and held opponents to a .268 batting average.

Papelbon was a rotation mainstay in by|2006, appearing in 16 games (14 starts), finishing the year with a 5-4 record and a team-leading 2.43 ERA. He led the starting staff with 89 innings pitched, 88 strikeouts, an opponents' batting average of .227, 24 earned runs allowed, 14 walks allowed, a 6.3 K/BB (strikeout per walk) ratio, and an 8.90 K/9 (strikeouts per nine innings) ratio. He was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference second team and was the only player to win the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week award three times (the weeks of February 20, 2005, May 8, 2005, and May 15, 2005). He led all starters in the ASC with a 1.85 ERA and .214 opponents' batting average in conference play. Papelbon majored in business management at UNF.

Minor leagues

The scouting report on Papelbon says that he has some deception from the left side and that since he lacks the arm strength of his older brother, he relies much more on his command.

Boise Hawks

At the end of the 2006 season, Papelbon had a record of 4-0 with three saves and an ERA of 1.83. He appeared in 18 games (all in relief) and has pitched 44.1 innings, allowing 29 hits, 15 walks, 1 home run, and 9 earned runs, while striking out 50 and holding opponents to a .182 batting average. On August 8, 2006, Josh's and Jeremy's teams launched the 'Papelbon Papel-bet,' in which the twin with the lowest ERA at the end of the season will get to name a charity to which his brother's team must make a donation. [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/v-pfriendly/story/442884p-373046c.html] For every half-run difference between the twins' ERA, the losing team will pay $50.

External links

* [http://unfospreys.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/papelbon_jeremy00.html/ University of North Florida Ospreys]
* [http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/261665.html Baseball America Scouting Report]
* [http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/stats/player.php?id=502533/ Baseball America Player Profile]
* [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/v-pfriendly/story/442884p-373046c.html/ New York Daily News article on the "Papel-bet"]