Hardest Throwing Blue Jay? Jeremy Jeffress...Really?

Blue Jays fans are well aware that the Jays could potentially begin the 2013 season with one of their best starting rotations of all time.  The make-up of their bullpen is a more unknown subject though, and open to a greater degree of speculation.  We're not exactly sure of who will make the opening-day relief corp., or what we'll get from those who do make it. Here's a relatively new name in the mix: Jeremy Jeffress. Picked up in an off-season deal from the Kansas City Royals, Jeffress is a name that Jays fans might ignore when reviewing the 40-man roster.  But he's out of options, still has a lot of potential (maybe the highest potential ceiling of any one in their bullpen), and has an excellent chance to make the team out of spring-training as a result. He throws into the triple digits, he’s been compared to Craig Kimbrell, and he’s never experienced significant arm issues. What else should we know about him?

Jeremy Jeffress was a 2006 first round MLB draft selection of the Milwaukee Brewers.  He was selected 16th overall; 2 selections after Travis Snider but 2 selections ahead of Kyle Drabek. Jeffress was a highly touted starting pitcher who routinely touches on 100 mph with his fast-ball. This flame-thrower has been clocked as high as 102 mph, and has also been scouted as having a plus curve-ball.  However, the promising young prospect (with the $1.5 million draft signing bonus) has struggled with a rocky minor-league career; mainly a result of his off-field issues. After a first offence warning, Jeffress was given a 50 game suspension in August 2007 following a second positive marijuana test. In June of 2009 he tested positive a third time, and served a resulting 100 game suspension. This put his minor league career in an awkward position, since a 4th positive test would result in a life-time ban (from minor league baseball). His off-field struggles limited his on-field playing time early on, but his minor league numbers were decent while he was playing in the Milwaukee farm system (2010 and prior). His ERA stayed below 5, his WHIP around 1.5 and his K/9 inning stayed above 10.  He demonstrated he was a power pitcher, but his control has been noted as lacking.

At the time of the 100-game suspension in 2009, Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash (formerly of the Blue Jays) said: "Given that [Jeffress] has been a two- or three-time positive tester, it gives you a lot of concern. All we can do is hope that he's motivated to comply with the rules of baseball, and offer as much support as we can."

In a 2010 interview with Tom Haudricourt, Jeffress expressed seemingly sincere remorse in connection with his 100-game suspension.  His struggles with marijuana seem to have been as genuine as his admissions of wrong-doing and desire to rehabilitate. Of his second suspension, Jeffress said:

"The hardest part for me was knowing I had the mentality to do the right thing, and didn't do it," he said. "I let myself down. It got in my head.  It's the worst feeling in the world. I felt so bad about it."

Jeffress seemed to have been very receptive to the whole rehabilitation process. As part of his rehabilitation program, with continued EAP counselling, Jeffress was moved from a starting pitcher's role to a relief role.  The theory behind the transition was that Jeffress would have to be alert and ready every night as a reliever.  He wouldn't have the days off between starts to get into trouble as he had previously. Of his rehabilitation, Jeffress shared:

"Recovery is just like life. You keep going. It's an ongoing thing. It's someone who can talk to you to get thoughts out of your mind that are bad. The cravings are always going to be there. Triggers are going to be there. You can't get away from triggers. Some triggers remind you of things. There are temptations. It's a problem in life that's always going to haunt me."

But he also added: "I think I've matured a lot the past couple of years. I just feel like nothing can stop me now. I know the things that I can do, the things I need to do."

After producing reasonable numbers during a 10-game call-up with Milwaukee in 2010, Jeffress was packaged to Kansas City in the off-season as part of the Zack Grienke blockbuster deal. He split time  over the 2011 season between AAA and the KC Royals;  25 and 14 appearances respectively. He continued to demonstrate excellent fast-ball velocity, but recorded an almost equal number of walks as strikeouts in both leagues. 2012 was much of the same. Although his minor league walk/strikeout ratio improved, his major league ERA was 6.75 with 13 walks and 13 SO's recorded over 13 appearances. To his credit, his 2012 MLB SO/9 innings was an impressive 12.8, so there is obvious appeal if he can learn to control the fastball and reduce the number of walks.  Before the 2012 season started, however, his off-season issues had flared up again as he was arrested on domestic assault charges.  Although the charges were dropped, the news headlines were an issue with the Royals, and Jeffress was in a situation again where he had to issue a public apology.  At the end of the 2012 off-season, KC had a number of players returning from the DL.  Someone had to be let go on waivers; JeremyJeffress was designated for assignment.

Alex Anthopolous picked Jeffress up from the Royals on waivers November 8, 2012 in exchange for an undisclosed sum of cash. Although official plans for Jeffress in 2013 have not been communicated, he is out of options.  The Jays would likely lose him if he doesn't break camp with the Blue Jays in April. One would think that a 25 year old who throws 100 mph could be worth a long look. Although Jeffress may be carrying some personal baggage, he has expressed interest in maturing. And given that he's been compared to Craig Kimbrell throughout his minor league career, there is that possibility that he could someday become an elite closer if he improves his command.

MLB does not test for recreational drugs such as marijuana. So although this does not necessarily mitigate the risk of carrying a player with potential off-field issues, there is no risk he would be lost from the big league club unexpectedly with a suspension like in the minors. I would think so long as the Jays can make room for him without losing any other players through waivers, Jeffress will make the big league club to start the season. I think the success story of Josh Hamilton lends credence to the notion of successful rehabilitation.  So long as no players are lost from Toronto via waivers in the process, I would personally like to see what Jeffress can do in Toronto's bullpen in 2013.