Tim Henkenjohann

From BR Bullpen

Tim Henkenjohann

  • Bats Left, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 5", Weight 200 lb.

BR register page

Biographical Information[edit]

Tim Henkenjohann pitched three years in the minor leagues and has been a regular on the German national team. He led the northern division of Bundesliga in strikeouts his first two years in the top classification in Germany.

Henkenjohann began playing baseball while in Germany. He studied in the United States in 1997 and was inspired by the atmosphere at a Norfolk Tides game. He signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2001. He made his debut with the German national team in the 2001 European Championship, played in Germany. He allowed four runs (two earned) in two innings, walking eight and showing the poor control that plagued him in the US. In 2002, Henkenjohann debuted with the Elizabethton Twins and was 2-3 with a 6.82 ERA. He struck out 34 in 33 innings but issued 31 walks.

In 2003, the tall right-hander struggled some more for Elizabethton, walking 10 in 8 innings, though he struck out 11 and held opponents to a .206 average. He wound up with a 8.22 ERA and no decisions. He was 0-1 with a 11.27 ERA in the 2003 European Championship, walking 11 and allowing 7 hits in 3 2/3 IP, though he struck out six.

Injuries and elbow surgery sidelined Henkenjohann for 2004. He returned in 2005 but a right ankle injury limited him to 7 games with the Fort Myers Miracle. He showed signs of coming around, with a 5.06 ERA, .214 average allowed against right-handed hitters and 9 strikeouts in 10 2/3 IP while cutting his walk rate (still scary, with 9 free passes).

Henkenjohann returned to his native Germany in 2006. He faced the USA college national team in one exhibition game and was roughed up for 6 runs in 5 innings against a team featuring J.P. Arencibia, Jemile Weeks, Pedro Alvarez and Todd Frazier. David Price got the win against the German hurler. Joining the Bonn Capitals in Bundesliga, Henkenjohann was 5-2 with a 2.49 ERA. He led the Northern division in strikesouts (88), K/IP (1.40) and opponent average (.176), was second in walks (39) and 4th in ERA. He was 0-1 with a 21.94 ERA in two playoff games.

In 2007, the 26-year-old hurler improved to 10-2, 2.09 for a Bonn team that otherwise went 6-6. He led the Northern Bundesliga in strikeouts (120) and K/9 (again 1.40). He was second in walks (54) and lowest opponent average (.175, trailing Dominican and former minor leaguer Benigno Ozuna). He was second to André Hughes in wins, one off of the lead. He was second in innings (86), 1/3 behind leader Dirk Fries. He was 4th in ERA behind Enorbel Márquez, Hughes and Fries. Bonn did not make the playoffs.

In the 2007 European Championship, Henkenjohann was 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings, walking 6, far better than in his two prior European Championships. He was second in the event in strikeouts but lost in a poor outing against the champion Dutch national team. He was much better against France.

Henkenjohann had two tough draws in the 2007 Baseball World Cup, facing the Silver Medalist Cuban national team and #5 South Korean national team. Against Cuba, he allowed four runs in the first but then settled down and allowed only 3 over the next 8 innings in a surprisingly close 7-3 loss for Germany as Henkenjohann battled Vladimir Baños and Arley Sanchez almost evenly after the top of the first. Overall, he allowed 14 hits and 4 walks while striking out five. He held all-time Cuban league batting leader Osmani Urrutia to an 0-for-4 game most notably. Against South Korea, Tim gave up 9 hits, 3 walks and 5 earned runs while striking out five in 6 2/3 IP before giving way to Rodney Gessmann. He was 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA in the event.

Through 2007, Henkenjohann was 3-4 with a 4.66 ERA for the German national team. He was 14th in team history in ERA, second to Peter Budny in strikeouts (60, 43 behind the lead), tied for 5th in wins, tied for 5th in losses and 5th in walks (35).

Henkenjohann was 0-2 with a 10.00 ERA in the 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament for Germany's second-highest ERA. He walked 9, allowed 10 hits and threw seven wild pitches in only 9 innings of work. He fared okay against the Australian national team with his wildness being the only major problem but was rocked by the South Koreans.

Henkenjohann broke his right hand shortly before the 2008 Bundesliga season began and did not return to action until the end of June.

Sources[edit]

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