July 17, 2007
OAKLAND, CA - University of Dayton alumnus Jerry Blevins was dealt along with backup catcher Rob Bowen by the Cubs to the Athletics for veteran backstop Jason Kendall on Monday. Blevins will likely report to Double-A Midland (TX) RockHounds to begin his Oakland assignment.
Blevins, a 23-year-old left handed reliever, was targeted by Oakland general manager Billy Beane as compensation for Kendall who will fill the Cubs' void left behind the plate when Michael Barrett was traded to San Diego on June 20.
"He knows how to make a deal," Cubs GM Jim Hendry said of Beane. "He never gets out of line asking for the type of personnel to make the deal work."
Blevins began the 2007 season at Single-A Daytona but was promoted to Double-A Tennessee on May 15 after going 1-0 with six saves and a 0.38 ERA in 15 relief appearances. He was 2-2 with three saves and a 1.53 ERA in 23 relief appearances with Tennessee and was a combined 3-2 with nine saves and a 1.02 ERA in 38 relief appearances overall. The 23-year old left-hander walked just 13 while striking out 69 in 53.0 innings and allowed just one home run. He allowed a .190 opponents batting average, including .133 with runners in scoring position. Blevins was originally a 17th round draft pick of the Cubs in the 2004 draft. He was named the 2004 Northwest League (A) Reliever of the Year.
"He's a good, young left-handed reliever," Hendry said. "He's really gotten better and will certainly be a Major League pitcher. Billy's scouts did a good job, as they always do."
A former walk-on at the University of Dayton, Blevins pitched for the Flyers for three seasons (2002-2004). After throwing just 17.1 innings over eight appearances as a sophomore, Blevins stepped into the weekend rotation as a junior and shined. He led UD in ERA at 3.79 while fashioning a 7-3 record with 70 strikeouts and only 38 walks in 73.2 innings pitched. Blevins also holds the distinction of being the pitcher of record for Dayton's first ever win at Time Warner Cable Stadium on Feb. 28, 2004 in the second game of a doubleheader against Bowling Green.
The Flyer Faithful can follow selected former UD players in the professional ranks at the Alumni Corner on www.DaytonFlyers.com.
