Jair Jurrjens

Jair Francoise Jurrjens (/ˈdʒaɪ.ər ˈdʒɜːrdʒənz/ JY-ər JUR-jənz; born January 29, 1986) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Colorado Rockies.

Childhood

Jurrjens was named after the Biblical judge Jair by his mother Esther. She and Jurrjens' father, Carl, have two other children, Carl, Sr. and Charlotte.

In 2002, Jurrjens' Curaçao Senior League team won the Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine.

Jurrjens speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu.

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

Jurrjens was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Tigers in 2003. In seven games during his 2003 campaign with the GCL Tigers, Jurrjens accumulated a 2–1 record with 20 strikeouts and just three walks. However, Jurrjens really broke out during his 2005 season with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Tigers' single-A affiliate. In 26 games started, Jurrjens went 12–6 with 108 strikeouts and 36 walks. He continued to improve during the 2006 season, as a 5–0, 2.08 ERA start with the Whitecaps earned Jurrjens a promotion to the Erie SeaWolves, the Tigers' Double-A affiliate. In 12 games with the SeaWolves, Jurrjens went 4–3 with a 3.36 ERA.