Jeff Housman
| IP | 550 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.385 |
| WHIP | 1.524 |
| BB/9 | 3.845 |
| SO/9 | 7.02 |
- Full name Jeff Donald Housman
- Born 08/04/1981 in Visalia, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Cal State Fullerton
- Drafted in the 33rd round (979th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Housman didn't look like much when the Brewers signed him as a 33rd-round pick in 2002. He went 0-4, 4.89 at Cal State Fullerton, then 1-3, 8.07 in Rookie ball during his pro debut. His stuff still doesn't turn heads, as his fringy fastball tops out at 89-90 mph, his changeup is inconsistent and his pitch counts get out of hand on occasion. But Housman knows how to pitch, which qualifies him as a crafty lefty and got him to Double-A in his first full season. His slider is his best pitch, especially against lefthanders, who managed a .225 average against him in Double-A last year. Like many southpaws who rely on location, he's susceptible to giving up a lot of hits. However, he has also been able to pile up strikeouts without walking many hitters. Using deception and location rather than velocity, he makes batters fish for pitches they shouldn't go after. Housman has good size and a consistent delivery but he missed his spots and took a beating when promoted to Triple-A in the final weeks last season. He'll have to continue to be fine in the upper levels to survive, and he'll get another shot at confusing Triple-A hitters this year. -
If it seems like Housman came out of nowhere, it's because he did. A high school teammate of Shane Costa, Housman transferred to Fullerton from College of the Sequoias JC for his junior season. He went 0-4, 4.89. He got roughed up on a regular basis in Rookie ball during his pro debut in 2002, yet he ended his first full season by holding his own in Double-A. Farm director Reid Nichols compares Housman to Doug Davis, who pitched well for the Brewers in the second half last year, using deception and location instead of power. Housman's fastball tops out in the high 80s and his slider is inconsistent, but he fools hitters with his changeup and works both sides of the plate. He shows good poise on the mound, an ability to set up hitters and plenty of savvy. The Brewers will see if he can pass muster in Triple-A this year.
