Elmer Dessens

Elmer Dessens Jusaino

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut June 24, 1996
• Final Game October 2, 2010
• Born January 13, 1971 in Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico

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Biographical Information

Elmer Dessens played 14 seasons in the majors, as well as in Mexico and in Japan.

Born in Mexico, Dessens was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1993. By 1996 he was up to AAA and came to the majors for 15 games with the Pirates.

In 1999 he pitched for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan and also for Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League.

He blossomed in 2000, going 11-5 for the Cincinnati Reds, and in 2002 had a 3.03 ERA for the Reds, good for sixth in the league. 2001 to 2003 were his only years primarily as a starter.

Dessens won the final game of the 2008 Mexican League finals to give the Mexico City Red Devils their 15th title; he allowed one run in 8 innings that day and finished the playoffs 3-0. After the playoffs ended, he was signed to a contract by the Atlanta Braves, making his first appearance with the team in late August of 2008.

Dessens was the captain of Mexico's team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and one of their best pitchers, going 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA and getting the win over South Africa. He pitched for the New York Mets in 2009 and 2010.

Dessens moved into the coaching ranks in 2013 as a member of the Reds' organization. He was assistant pitching coach of the AZL Reds in 2013 and pitching coach of the same club in 2014-2019. Dessens was scheduled to return in 2020 before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the minor league season. He was pitching coach of the ACL Reds in 2021-2022.

The Los Angeles Angels hired Dessens as a pitching coach of the Inland Empire 66ers in 2023-2024.

In addition to coaching in the United States, Dessens has some international experience as well. He was the pitching coach for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo of the Mexican Pacific League in 2020/2021 & 2022/2023 - 2023/2024. He also served as the bullpen coach for Mexico during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.