Isaac Jimenez

Isaac Jimenez Camarena

• Bats Left, Throws Left

• Born July 28, 1965 in Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit Mexico

BR Minors page

Isaac Jimenez pitched for 20 seasons in the Mexican League. He was the younger brother of major leaguer German Jimenez and the older brother of Saul Jimenez, who had a much shorter pro career.

Isaac debuted in 1984 with the Truchas de Toluca, going 0-3 with a 6.54 ERA and 36 walks in 31 2/3 innings. Moving to the Pericos de Puebla in 1985, he had a 5-6, 6.63 record with 67 walks, 14 wild pitches and 13 hit batsmen in 74 2/3 innings. Remaining with Puebla in 1986, he posted a 10-6, 5.52 record with 96 walks in 120 2/3 innings; the ERA was not horrible considering it was a record-setting offensive year in Mexico. He split 1987 between Puebla and the Leones de Yucatan, with a combined 5-10, 7.04 record and 91 walks and 17 wild pitches in just 85 2/3 innings. On July 24, he managed to no-hit the Tuneros de San Luis Potosi for a career highlight. While his control would improve from there, it never became great.

Jimenez made major strides in 1988, going 11-9 with a save and a 3.41 ERA for the Tigres de México. He remained with the Tigres in 1989 (8-9, 3.57) and 1990 (4-6, 4.97). In the winter of 1989-1990, he was 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA for the Venados de Mazatlan. Joining the Industriales de Monterrey in 1991, the southpaw had records of 7-9 4.31 in 1991 and 7-7, 3.64 in 1992. He split 1993 between Monterrey and Yucatan, with a record of 11-7, 3.24. He was with Yucatan for all of 1994 (7-6, 4.05) and 1995 (6-8, 3.20).

At age 30, Isaac had his career year, with the 1996 Petroleros de Poza Rica. He went 10-6 with a save and a 1.70 ERA, allowing only 96 hits in 127 1/3 innings. He finished second in the Mexican League in ERA behind only Sixto Báez. Remaining with Poza Rica in 1997, he returned to more typical numbers at 7-13, 3.42. He saw limited action with the '98 Mayas de Chetumal, going 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA while leaving a stgarting role for the first time in years.

In 1999, the veteran left-hander had a 5-6, 4.41 record for the Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz. He joined his 9th team (not counting winter leagues) in 2000 and was 3-2 with a 4.88 ERA for the Sultanes de Monterrey.

After 17 seasons, Jimenez had gone 109-113 with two saves and a 4.05 ERA in 344 games (282 starts). He ranked 74th in Mexican League history in innings (1,687) but was 10th in hit batsmen (96), 4th in wild pitches (118) and had walked 908 batters.

Isaac remained active for three more years. He was 1-1 with a 5.01 ERA for the 2001 Olmecas de Tabasco then was 2-7 with a 4.72 EA for the same club in '02. He ended his career with the 2003 Vaqueros Laguna at 0-2, 7.04 for a 112-123 career record.

Source: The Mexican League: Comprehensive Player Statistics by Pedro Treto Cisneros