Jeff Keppinger |
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Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Keppinger (born April 21, 1980, in Miami, Florida) is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Houston Astros. He bats and throws right-handed.
Keppinger compiled a .380 batting average at the University of Georgia where, in the 2001 College World Series, he hit a two-run home run off star pitcher Mark Prior. That same year, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 4th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Although Keppinger continued to hit over .300 in the minor leagues, his power numbers (home runs and runs batted in) dropped dramatically from his college days.
At the 2004 trading deadline, while Keppinger was in double-A ball, he was traded to the Mets as part of the Kris Benson for Ty Wigginton trade. His average soared even higher with the double-A Binghamton Mets and stayed above .300 with the triple-A Norfolk Tides earning him a call to the majors on August 20. He responded by hitting .284 with three home runs and nine RBI in 33 games played.