Dan Jennings (pitcher)

Daniel Lee Jennings (born April 17, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Washington Nationals. He also played college baseball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska.

For the manager, see Dan Jennings (manager).

Dan Jennings
Jennings with the Chicago White Sox in 2016
Pitcher
Born: (1987-04-17) April 17, 1987
Berkeley, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 30, 2012, for the Miami Marlins
Last MLB appearance
May 17, 2019, for the Washington Nationals
Career statistics
Win–loss record17–20
Earned run average3.10
Strikeouts281
Teams

Amateur career

Though born in Berkeley, California,[1] Jennings was raised in West Des Moines, Iowa.[2] There, he attended Valley High School. Playing for the school's baseball team,[3] he led the team to back-to-back state championships in 2004 and 2005. As a senior in 2005, Jennings pitched to a 9–0 win–loss record and 0.85 earned run average (ERA), earning All-State honors.[2]

Jennings attended the University of Nebraska, where he played college baseball for the Cornhuskers. In 2006 and 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Waterloo Bucks of the Northwoods League,[4] and spent the summer of 2008 with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[5][6] He was drafted by the Marlins in the ninth round of the 2008 MLB draft.[2]

Professional career

Minor Leagues

He made his professional debut that season for the Jamestown Jammers of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League.[1]

Across three levels of minor league baseball in 2009, Jennings had a combined 1–2 record, six saves, and 2.15 ERA in 45 games overall, allowing with 26 walks and while striking out 69 batters in 62⅔ innings pitched for the Greensboro Hornets of the Class A South Atlantic League, the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, and the Jacksonville Suns of the Class AA Southern League.[1][7] Baseball America rated Jennings as the Marlins' fourth best pitching prospect, and 13th best overall.[7] Returning to Jacksonville in 2010, Jennings was suspended for 50 games for violating minor league baseball's policy banning the use of performance-enhancing drugs.[1][2] The Marlins added Jennings to their 40-man roster after the 2011 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Jennings began the 2012 season with the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. In nine appearances, he had a 2.08 ERA.[8]

Miami Marlins

The Marlins promoted Jennings to MLB on April 30, 2012, and he pitched a scoreless inning in relief in his debut that day.[2]

On August 7, 2014, Jennings was pitching in relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates when Jordy Mercer hit a line drive that accidentally struck Jennings in the head, inflicting a concussion in the process. Jennings was kept overnight in a Pittsburgh hospital for observations instead of accompanying the Marlins to Cincinnati for their next series against the Cincinnati Reds after the game. Jennings later thanked Pirates fans on Twitter for their support after the crowd at PNC Park gave Jennings a standing ovation when he was carted off the field and gave the crowd a wave. He returned to the Marlins shortly thereafter, passing concussion protocol and sustaining no permanent injury.[9]

Chicago White Sox

The Marlins traded Jennings to the Chicago White Sox on December 11, 2014, in exchange for André Rienzo.[10]

Tampa Bay Rays

On July 27, 2017, the White Sox traded Jennings to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for first baseman Casey Gillaspie.[11] He was released on March 26, 2018.

Milwaukee Brewers

Jennings signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on March 30, 2018.[12] He elected free agency on November 30, 2018.

Los Angeles Angels

On February 15, 2019, Jennings signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels.[13] The Angels released him on March 26.[14]

Washington Nationals

On April 15, 2019, Jennings signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. He had his contract purchased on April 30.[15] Jennings posted a 13.50 ERA over eight games with the Nationals, before being designated for assignment on May 20.[16] He elected free agency two days later.[17]

New York Yankees

On July 8, 2019, Jennings signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. He was released by the Yankees on August 13, 2019.

Retirement

Before 2020 spring training, Jennings retired from playing professional baseball.[18]

Personal life

Jennings has been confused for the son of Dan Jennings, who was an executive for the Marlins when the younger Jennings was pitching for them.[7] His parents, Bob and Janet Jennings, live in West Des Moines. Jennings has a brother, Tom, who currently works as a tennis professional at the Quad City Tennis Club. He is married. Jennings' parents, fiancée, and her parents all flew to Miami to watch Jennings' MLB debut.[2]

References
  1. "Jacksonville's Jennings suspended – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  2. Iowan Jennings pitches one scoreless inning in MLB debut. He finished the season with a 1-0 record, a 1.89 ERA, a 1.53 WHIP, 11 walks, and 8 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched. | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com
  3. McCool, Dan (July 27, 2005). "Headline: Perfection is the rule for Valley's Jennings". Des Moines Register. p. C.6. Retrieved December 12, 2014. (subscription required)
  4. "Alumni in the Majors".
  5. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  6. "2008 Cotuit Kettleers". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  7. "Marlins' Dan Jennings could soon join fellow Nebraska alum Joba Chamberlain in majors". tribunedigital-sunsentinel. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  8. "Miami Marlins – PlayerWatch". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  9. Dan Jennings concussed by liner ESPN.com (August 8, 2014)
  10. Chicago Tribune (December 11, 2014). "White Sox acquire lefty reliever Dan Jennings from Marlins". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  11. Chastain, Bill (July 27, 2017). "Rays get lefty Jennings from White Sox". MLB.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  12. "Brewers sign left-handed reliever Dan Jennings". March 30, 2018.
  13. Todd, Jeff (February 15, 2019). "Angels To Sign Dan Jennings". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  14. "Angels Option Jaime Barria to Triple-A and Release Dan Jennings". March 26, 2019.
  15. "The Nationals hoped Anthony Rendon would get better. Now he's on the IL. - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.
  16. "Nationals announce roster moves". Nationals Communications. May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  17. "Dan Jennings: Elects free agency". CBSSports.com. May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  18. Birch, Tommy (March 23, 2020). "'I have absolutely come to peace with it.' Former Valley star Dan Jennings accepting retirement". Des Moines Register.
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