Position: RHP
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 182 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 08/02/1995
College: University of California, Berkeley
Drafted: 1st round, 37th Overall, 2016 (Athletics)
How Acquired: Trade (from Giants for Rodolfo Nolasco)
Bonus: $1,600,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 0
Overview
Despite being small for a RHP, Jefferies was highly regarded as a prospect in college due to a low-90s fastball and very good change. The big reservation was over his health, as he’d missed time in two college seasons with injuries, including a shoulder problem. Oakland still drafted him in the supplemental first round and his pro career has been largely derailed by more injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries. In 8+ seasons, he’s thrown only a total of 255.2 IP, including 61 in the majors. When he first reached the majors, Jefferies’ fastball sat at 93-94. More recently, it’s been a little under 93. He throws the change a lot, as well as a slider or cutter, and more recently a curve. The Pirates acquired him from the Giants for Rodolfo Nolasco.
2016-18
Jefferies pitched well in a brief 2016 debut, striking out 17 in 11.1 IP in rookie ball. After just two games in 2017, though, he had Tommy John surgery. That cost him the rest of 2017 and all but one game in 2018.
2019-21
Jefferies returned in 2019 and the A’s sent him to High Class A, where he threw 15 innings then moved up to AA. He had a very successful season, striking out 93 while walking just nine in 79 innings. Oakland added him to the 40-man roster in the offseason, then he spent most of the pandemic season at the alternate training site. He did make his major league debut, getting into one game.
Jefferies spent most of 2021 in AAA, but got into five games, one start, for the A’s. He also missed time with injuries, specifically biceps tendonitis and a flexor strain. When he pitched in AAA, he got hit fairly hard, including gopher ball problems.
2022-24
Jefferies made the Oakland rotation out of spring training, but his elbow wasn’t healthy and after eight starts, he had a second Tommy John surgery. He missed the rest of the season and all of 2023. Oakland outrighted Jefferies to AAA after the 2022 season, then he became a minor league free agent after 2023. He signed a minor league deal with the Giants.
Jefferies made the Giants out of spring training, made one start and got bombed. The Giants optioned him to AAA, where he appeared in four games before being recalled. He made one relief appearance, got bombed again, and the Giants designated him for assignment. They ended up trading him to the Pirates for Rodolfo Nolasco. The Pirates sent him to Indianapolis and he pitched poorly through five starts, with a 6.10 ERA and 1.74 WHIP. The Pirates called him up anyway and he made four relief appearances, allowing seven earned runs in his first five innings and none in his next five. He then went on the injured list with elbow discomfort and threw only one inning the rest of the year. He finished with a 6.23 ERA for Indy and 6.30 for the Pirates.
The Pirates outrighted Jefferies to AAA after the 2024 season.
Stats
Transactions
June 8, 2013: Drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 39th round, 1162nd overall pick.
June 9, 2016: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 1st round, 37th overall pick; signed June 14.
November 20, 2019: Contract purchased by the Oakland Athletics.
November 14, 2022: Outrighted to AAA by the Oakland Athletics.
November 6, 2023: Became a free agent.
December 7, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the San Francisco Giants.
March 31, 2024: Called up by the San Francisco Giants.
May 10, 2024: Traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Rodolfo Nolasco.
November 4, 2024: Outrighted to AAA by the Pittsburgh Pirates.