Jeff Karstens

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Jeff Karstens

|image=IMG 7071 Jeff Karstens.jpg

|caption=Karstens with the Pittsburgh Pirates

|position=Pitcher

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1982|9|24}}

|birth_place=San Diego, California, U.S.

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=August 22

|debutyear=2006

|debutteam=New York Yankees

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=October 1

|finalyear=2012

|finalteam=Pittsburgh Pirates

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=26–40

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=4.44

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=330

|teams=

New York Yankees ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2007}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2012}})

}}

{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}

Jeffrey Wayne Karstens (born September 24, 1982) is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). Karstens pitched for the New York Yankees in 2006 and 2007 and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008 to 2012.

High school and college

Karstens attended Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley, California and initially played as a catcher. In his senior season, he was the team's Most Valuable Player, a First-Team All-Conference Honors selection, and a Second-Team All-San Diego selection. He posted an 8–2 record with a 2.99 ERA. After high school, Karstens attended Grossmont College and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he played for the Red Raiders.{{Cite web |title=Jeff Karstens Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jeff-karstens-444371 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

Professional career

=New York Yankees=

Karstens was drafted in the 19th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees. He played the {{Baseball year|2005}} season with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder, posting a 12–11 record with a 4.15 ERA and 147 strikeouts. He led his team in wins with 12 (3rd most in the league), in Games started with 27 (2nd in the league), and in innings pitched with 169 (4th in the league).{{Cite web|url=http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=22690|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316231637/http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=22690|url-status=dead|title=Jeff Karstens Statistics (Minor Leagues) – Baseball-Reference.com|archive-date=March 16, 2008|access-date=May 22, 2023}}

Karstens started the {{Baseball year|2006}} season with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. He struggled, posting an 0–5 record with a 9.85 ERA. This resulted in his demotion to Double-A Trenton. At Trenton, he went 6–0 with a 2.31 ERA. His success was rewarded with a trip back to Columbus, where he compiled a 5–0 record with a 1.85 ERA. He was named the International League Player of the Week for the week of July 30. Karstens was called up from Triple-A Columbus on August 19, 2006. Three days later, he made his Major League debut for the Yankees on August 22, against the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web |title=Former Red Raider Jeff Karstens Earns MLB Debut Tonight |url=https://texastech.com/news/2006/8/22/Former_Red_Raider_Jeff_Karstens_Earns_MLB_Debut_Tonight |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Texas Tech Red Raiders |language=en}} He went {{frac|5|2|3}} innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks for a no-decision in a 6–5 loss. He struck out two and gave up two home runs.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/new-york-yankees-seattle-mariners-260822112/|title=NY Yankees 5 - 6 Seattle: Final|website=Yahoo Sports|accessdate=May 22, 2023}} On August 27, 2006, he went 6.0 innings giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs in an 11–8 win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In that outing, Karstens walked 2, struck out 1, and earned his first career Major League victory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ANA/ANA200608270.shtml|title = New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Box Score, August 27, 2006}}

In spring training prior to the {{Baseball year|2007}} season, Karstens pitched well enough to make a case for the rotation.{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Joel |date=March 15, 2007 |title=Day 34: Jeff Karstens and Chase Wright |url=https://nypost.com/2007/03/15/day-34-jeff-karstens-and-chase-wright/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Karstens contending for Yanks' rotation |url=https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2007/03/20/karstens-contending-for-yanks-rotation/31192278007/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=The Star Banner |language=en-US}} Karstens was shut down due to elbow tendinitis and placed on the 15-day disabled list to start the season,{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2007 |title=Yanks' Opening Day start could default to Pavano |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2007/news/story?id=2812130 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} allowing Darrell Rasner to take his spot in the rotation to start the season.{{Cite web |last= |title=Darrell Rasner going for a spot in rotation |url=http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2007/mar/27/darrell-rasner-going-for-a-spot-in-rotation/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=www.nevadaappeal.com |language=en}} After injuries to Yankees starters Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano, he was activated to join the Yankee 40-man roster.{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |date=April 22, 2007 |title=Red Sox Pound Yankees' Soft Spot |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/sports/baseball/22yankees.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} On April 28, {{Baseball year|2007}}, in a game against the Boston Red Sox, Karstens was struck in the leg by a line drive off the bat of Boston shortstop Julio Lugo, the first batter of the game.{{cite news

| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900E4DD133EF93AA15757C0A9619C8B63

| title= BASEBALL; After Losing Karstens to Broken Leg, Yanks Get a Lift From Igawa

| work=New York Times

| author=Tyler Kepner

| author-link=Tyler Kepner

| date=April 29, 2007

| access-date=March 4, 2008

}} He faced only one more batter before being taken out. It was later reported that Karstens fractured his fibula and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Yanks' Karstens breaks leg |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2007/04/29/yanks-karstens-breaks-leg/30304045007/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Wilmington Star-News |language=en-US}} He was later moved to the 60-day disabled list,{{Cite web |title=Athletics 11-5 Yankees (Jul 1, 2007) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270701110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125022202/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270701110 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} and then activated on August 1.{{Cite web |title=Yankees 8-1 White Sox (2 Aug, 2007) Game Recap - ESPN (AU) |url=https://www.espn.com.au/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270801110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125022208/https://www.espn.com.au/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270801110 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}}

On August 14, 2007, Karstens gave up 5 earned runs in only 3 innings, raising his season ERA to 11.20.{{Cite web |title=Orioles 12-0 Yankees (15 Aug, 2007) Game Recap - ESPN (UK) |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270814110 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The next day, he was optioned back to the Minor Leagues.{{Cite web |title=Orioles 6-3 Yankees (16 Aug, 2007) Game Recap - - ESPN (SG) |url=https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270815110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125022209/https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270815110 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=- ESPN |language=en}} He was reactivated on September 9.{{Cite web |title=Yankees 6-3 Royals (10 Sep, 2007) Game Recap - - ESPN (SG) |url=https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270909107 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125022203/https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270909107 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=- ESPN |language=en}} Following the end of the season, Karstens pitched for Team USA in the 2007 Baseball World Cup. He went 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA on the way to win Gold.{{Cite web |title=Former Tech Pitcher Jeff Karstens Named To Team USA |url=https://texastech.com/news/2007/10/10/Former_Tech_Pitcher_Jeff_Karstens_Named_To_Team_USA |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Texas Tech Red Raiders |language=en}}

Karstens began the {{Baseball year|2008}} season on the 15-day disabled list,{{Cite web |last=Star-Ledger |first=Ed Price/The |date=March 28, 2008 |title=Karstens injured |url=https://www.nj.com/ledgeryankees/2008/03/karstens_injured.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=nj |language=en}} but was later activated and immediately optioned to the minors.{{Cite web |last=Bontemps |first=Tim |date=May 25, 2008 |title=Around the Bases: Rehab Assignments for Valentin, Karstens |url=https://nypost.com/2008/05/25/around-the-bases-rehab-assignments-for-valentin-karstens/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}} He was named the International League Player of the Week for the week of June 23.

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On July 26, 2008, Karstens was acquired by the Pirates with José Tábata, Ross Ohlendorf, and Daniel McCutchen from the New York Yankees for outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Dámaso Marte.{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/07/25/pirates.yanks.trade/index.html|title=Yanks acquire Nady, Marte from Bucs for 4 minor league prospects|date=July 26, 2008|publisher=SI.com|access-date=July 26, 2008|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023071818/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/07/25/pirates.yanks.trade/index.html|url-status=dead}} On August 1, 2008, Jeff made his Pirates debut, defeating the Chicago Cubs. In Karsten's next start on August 6, he took a perfect game against the Arizona Diamondbacks through 7.2 innings before surrendering a double to Chris Young in the 8th inning. Karstens, and the Pirates, won 2–0 over Randy Johnson; Karstens gave up two hits and a walk.{{Cite web |title=Pirates' Karstens gets shutout after losing perfect game in 8th |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2008/08/06/Pirates-Karstens-gets-shutout-after-losing-perfect-game-in-8th/stories/200808060130 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}}

In 2009, Karstens was fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for hitting Milwaukee's Ryan Braun squarely between his shoulder blades with a pitch in April.{{Cite web |last=PERROTTO |first=JOHN |date=May 3, 2009 |title=Poor showing frustrates Pirates' Moss |url=https://www.tribdem.com/sports/local_sports/poor-showing-frustrates-pirates-moss/article_4ed2b437-6300-5f4d-bcec-70f8f908a97a.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=The Tribune-Democrat |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2012 |title=Crew not intimidated by inside pitches {{!}} MLB.com: News |work=Major League Baseball |url=https://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090428&content_id=4468392&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |access-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111102450/https://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090428&content_id=4468392&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=November 11, 2012 }} The Brewers took exception to this and later in the season Karstens was hit by a pitch in the left shoulder by a Milwaukee pitcher. Both benches then cleared.{{Cite web |title=Pirates 8-5 Brewers (Jul 20, 2009) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/290720123 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125025226/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/290720123 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} He finished his 2009 campaign of 39 games (13 of which he started) with a 4–6 record, a 5.42 ERA, gave up 12 home runs, hit 2 batsmen, walked 45, struck out 52, had a .279 average against, 1.48 walks and hits per inning pitched, in just 108 innings pitched. Karstens was designated for assignment following the 2009 season.{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2009 |title=Pirates Claim Jakubauskas; Karstens Designated |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/pirates-claim-chris-jakubauskas.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} On November 30, 2009, Karstens cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.{{Cite web |title=Pirates release Diaz, outright Karstens |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2009/11/30/Pirates-release-Diaz-outright-Karstens/stories/200911300192 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}}

In 2010, Karstens attended Pirates spring training as a non-roster invitee.{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=April 27, 2010 |title=Pirates finally end long losing streak to Brewers at Miller Park |url=https://journaltimes.com/sports/baseball/pirates-finally-end-long-losing-streak-to-brewers-at-miller-park/article_e52089ee-5280-11df-b854-001cc4c002e0.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Journal Times |language=en}} He pitched relief in 8 games for a 6.23 ERA and was reassigned to the minor league camp. He began the season in the Triple-A Indianapolis bullpen, but problems with starting Pirates starting pitching prompted a call-up on April 27.{{Cite web |title=Pirates' worst week continues with 17-3 loss |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2010/04/27/Pirates-worst-week-continues-with-17-3-loss/stories/201004270252 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}} Karstens was the pitching matchup in the highly anticipated debut of young phenom Stephen Strasburg.{{Cite web |title=Pirates won't promote Lincoln to face Strasburg |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/pirates-wont-promote-lincoln-to-face-strasburg |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}} He gave up 9 hits for 4 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings for his second loss of the season.

On July 18, 2011, Karstens was named as the National League Player of the Week for the period of July 11–17, 2011. Karstens pitched a complete-game shutout on July 15 in a 4–0 win over the Houston Astros and became the first Pirates starter to win five consecutive decisions since Ian Snell in June 2006.{{cite news| url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_747331.html| title=Karstens named NL Player of the Week| work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review| author=Karen Price| date=July 19, 2011| access-date=July 19, 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910144824/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_747331.html| archive-date=September 10, 2012}}

Karstens had the best season of his career in 2011. Appearing in 30 games (26 starts), in which he went 9–9 with an ERA of 3.38, giving up 22 home runs, hitting 4 batsmen, walking 33, striking out 96, and having a WHIP of 1.207 through 162.1 innings.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=5879&position=P|title = Jeff Karstens - Stats - Pitching | FanGraphs Baseball}}

On November 30, 2012, Karstens was designated for assignment and then was not tendered a contract, making him a free agent.{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2012 |title=Report: Pirates non-tender Jeff Karstens |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/report-pirates-non-tender-jeff-karstens/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}

On January 15, 2013, the Pirates resigned Karstens to a 1-year deal.{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2013 |title=Karstens back with 1-year deal with Pirates - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pirates/karstens-back-with-1-year-deal-with-pirates-670399/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118013048/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pirates/karstens-back-with-1-year-deal-with-pirates-670399/ |archive-date=January 18, 2013 }} Karstens underwent surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum in his throwing shoulder on June 7, 2013, and was shut down for the rest of the 2013 season.{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2013 |title=Jeff Karstens out 10-12 weeks following shoulder surgery |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/jeff-karstens-out-10-12-weeks-following-shoulder-surgery/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}

On May 4, 2015, Karstens announced via Twitter and Instagram his retirement from baseball.{{cite tweet|user=karstens27|number=595278969882173440|date=May 4, 2015|title=#HanginEmUp Just would like to give a huge thank you to all my family, friends, teammates, and…}}{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2015 |title=Jeff Karstens Announces Retirement |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/05/jeff-karstens-announces-retirement.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Since 2016, he has served as the pitching coach for Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida.{{Cite web |title=Coaches |url=https://baseballuniversity.org/coaches/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Baseball University |language=en-US}}