Jeff Small

Jeffrey Marvin Small

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• School Modesto Junior College, Western Washington University
• Born August 12, 1965 in Phoenix, AZ USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Jeff Small spent five seasons in AAA but never made the majors.

Small was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the January 1985 draft. He hit .220/~.313/.375 that year for the Geneva Cubs. Despite being a shortstop, he led the club with 7 homers (tied) and was second with 39 RBI. He batted .229/~.268/.322 with the 1986 Peoria Chiefs. He improved to .279/~.300/.400 with the 1987 Winston-Salem Spirits while moving to second base. In 1988, Jeff hit .235/.262/.261 in 35 games for the Pittsfield Cubs, backing up Rich Amaral and Bryan House.

Small split 1989 between the Charlotte Knights (.263/.308/.354) and Iowa Cubs (.214/.234/.278). He had his best season in 1990, batting .287/.305/.383 for Iowa. In the 1990 AAA All-Star Game, he started at second for the NL and hit 9th. He was 1 for 2 with a run before being replaced by Craig Smajstrla. Small led American Association second basemen in fielding percentage (.977), putouts (245) and double plays (87). His low OBP, combined with Ryne Sandberg's holding down second at Wrigley Field, prevented his being called up to the big leagues.

Small hit .295/.320/.377 in limited time for Iowa in 1991. In '92, he moved to the Cincinnati Reds chain and batted .278/.313/.392 for the Nashville Sounds. He wrapped up in 1993 with the Florida Marlins' Edmonton Trappers at .271/.296/.384.

Small is the brother of big leaguer Mark Small.