The Sporkball Journals

2008 Olympians, Kevin Jepsen & Matt Brown

August 13th, 2008

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See Part 3

Kevin Jepsen Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

Matt Brown Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

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August 13, 2008 —As readers of TSJ are aware (all 12 of you out there), Kevin Jepsen and Matt Brown of the Salt Lake Bees are in Beijing, China to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. In honor of today’s commencement of the baseball events, I’d like to give these athletes their well-deserved due.
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Kevin Jepsen, pitcher

Kevin was 17 years old when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2nd round (53rd pick overall) in 2002. He spent 2003 and 2004 with the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. He started 2005 at extended spring training, rehabbing from a shoulder injury and finished the season with the Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. In 2006 and 2007, he continued to build up his arm strength and work on his control at Rancho—his walks-to-strikeouts ratio through two seasons, 2006-07, was 72 BB: 96 SO (yikes).

An Olympic roster spot is the latest car to be linked onto the fast-moving train of Kevin’s 2008 season. He began the season with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. On June 06, he was voted to the Texas League All-Star Game with a 1.52 ERA and 33 SO in 29.2 IP. He didn’t pitch for the North Division All-Star Team, however, due to his promotion to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on June 10. That same day, the Los Angeles Angels announced he was their Minor League Pitcher for the Month of May.

In early July, Kevin was selected to pitch for the U.S. Team at the MLB Futures Game, Yankee Stadium. Savvy fans know this prospect showcase adds a huge boost to a player’s career highlights. What many didn’t know was this year’s game was also an Olympic Team qualifying event. So it must have been no small disappointment when Kevin was unable to travel to New York because of a bout with strep throat. On the other hand, we can imagine this made the surprise even sweeter—he was indeed headed for Beijing as a member of the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team.

Bear in mind all this occurred between April 03 and July 16, a mere 3-1/2 months. Nonetheless, the just-turned 24-year-old has handled the “Summer of Change” quite well. His ability to absorb the unexpected should prove very useful under the pressure of a winner-takes-all tournament format and the quirky rules of IBAF-sanctioned baseball. As a hard-throwing short reliever for Salt Lake, Kevin showed a fastball that regularly climbed into the high-90s. By the time he left to join his USA Baseball teammates, Kevin had racked up a 1.87 ERA and 55 SO in 53.0 IP.

Matt Brown, infielder

Matt was selected out of high school by the Angels in the 10th round (299th pick overall) of the 2001 draft. He spent his first five years of professional baseball at the Rookie-A/Single-A levels, one season at AA and arrived in Salt Lake in 2007. The word on Matt through the lower tiers was a tendency to swing at bad pitches and occasionally lose his temper. Perhaps then, the simple math of Father Time has helped him come into his own. Last year about mid-season he started swinging the proverbial “hot bat.” And this year? Woo-doggies. Matt didn’t miss a step, straight out of the starting gate. He started the season hitting for the cycle on April 10, was named PCL Offensive Batter of the Week (April 3-13) and then was awarded Angels Minor League Player of the Month for April.

I must confess that despite the Maddux Theory of Hitology, this gal’s heart really belongs to great glove-men (think Mike Moriarty and Alfredo Amezaga). Although his hitting gets considerably more attention, there’s never been anything wrong with Matt’s glovework. He can play left or right outfield and 1st base; however, the hot corner (3rd base) is where Matt’s defense really shines.

Along with Jason Bulger, Matt was named to the PCL roster for the Triple-A All-Star Game held on July 16 in Louisville, KY. Matt played 3rd base and hit 2-for-3 (.667 BA)—including a 9th-inning single to tie the game, which the PCL eventually won. Afterwards Matt was named PCL Star of the Game.

The kid from “a small town in Idaho” turns 26 on the day of the Opening Ceremonies—what a B-Day present! Like teammate Kevin Jepsen, Matt was informed during the All-Star break of his selection to the U.S. Olympic team. When he boarded the plane for North Carolina and beyond on July 29th, Matt left behind a .326 BA with 67 RBI, 21 HR, 4 triples and 32 doubles. What I like about Matt is he works hard, plays hard and doesn’t showboat. Let’s hope he can keep his cool through the heat and smog of Wukesong Baseball Stadium.

Last but not least, kudos to the Salt Lake Bees for setting up Kevin and Matt with their own online journal page: Bees in Beijing. They’ll be chronicling their Olympic experience, so be sure to check the Bees website for the latest news.

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Some links to help you find the latest news:

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Let us close with some pure eye candy, shall we? Bye for now!
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Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

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Photo credit Photo credit | Linda Giger Used with permissionn

Photo credit Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission

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Photo credit Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission

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Photo credit | FutureAngels.com Used with permission SPACER TEXT

Photo credit Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission

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Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 | Used with permission

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Entry Filed under: Minor Leagues, Olympic Games, Salt Lake Bees