Enmanuel De Jesus

1. Overview

Enmanuel José De Jesus (born December 10, 1996) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the KT Wiz of the KBO League. He has had an extensive career in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the KBO League, with previous stints in MLB for the Miami Marlins and in the KBO League for the Kiwoom Heroes.

2. Early Life

Enmanuel José De Jesus was born on December 10, 1996, in Venezuela. Details of his early background before his professional baseball career are not widely documented.

3. Professional Career

Enmanuel De Jesus's professional baseball journey began in 2013 and has since spanned various levels of minor league baseball in the United States, a brief appearance in Major League Baseball, and a significant presence in the KBO League in South Korea.

3.1. Minor League Career in the United States

De Jesus spent several years progressing through the minor league systems of multiple MLB organizations, primarily developing as a starting pitcher.

3.1.1. Boston Red Sox (2013-2021)

De Jesus signed his first professional contract as an international free agent with the Boston Red Sox on August 9, 2013, at the age of 16. He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox, where he recorded a 3.15 ERA over 14 starts in his inaugural season.

In 2015, De Jesus split his time between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox and the Low-A Lowell Spinners. During this season, he accumulated a 6-2 win-loss record and an impressive 1.74 ERA, striking out 31 batters across 46 and two-thirds innings pitched. The following year, 2016, saw him play for Lowell and the Single-A Greenville Drive. Across 14 starts for these two affiliates, he posted a 4.79 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 67 and two-thirds innings. De Jesus returned to these clubs in the 2017 season, maintaining a 3.90 ERA and tallying 55 strikeouts in another 14 starts.

In 2018, while pitching for Single-A Greenville, De Jesus notably started a no-hitter that was completed by relief pitchers Devon Fisher and Durbin Feltman. For the entire year, he made 25 appearances, split between Greenville and the High-A Salem Red Sox, achieving a 4.50 ERA and recording 125 strikeouts across 122 innings. The 2019 season saw De Jesus spend the entirety of his playing time with Salem, where he compiled a 9-9 record and a 3.58 ERA, striking out 122 batters in 24 starts. His 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from playing any games in the minor leagues. De Jesus elected free agency on November 2, 2020, but subsequently re-signed with the Boston Red Sox on a minor league contract on November 17, 2020.

He returned to action in 2021, dividing his season between the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. In 22 games, including 9 starts, De Jesus recorded a 3.94 ERA with 74 strikeouts over 64 innings. Following the conclusion of the season, he again elected free agency on November 7, 2021.

3.1.2. San Francisco Giants (2022)

On December 15, 2021, De Jesus signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He spent the entire 2022 season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. During his time with the River Cats, he made 35 appearances, with 19 starts, and posted a 4.51 ERA, collecting 118 strikeouts across 101 and two-thirds innings pitched. He elected free agency for a third time following the season on November 10, 2022.

3.2. Major League Baseball (MLB) Career

De Jesus achieved his goal of reaching Major League Baseball in 2023 with the Miami Marlins.

3.2.1. Miami Marlins (2023)

De Jesus signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization on December 10, 2022. In 19 games (18 starts) split between the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads, he recorded a 4.70 ERA with 70 strikeouts across 92 innings.

His performance earned him a promotion to Major League Baseball on September 8, 2023, marking his MLB debut. In his limited appearances for the Miami Marlins, De Jesus played in two games, allowing eight runs on nine hits and four walks, while striking out five batters across 6 and one-third innings of work. After the season, on October 31, he was removed from the Marlins' 40-man roster and outrighted to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He then elected free agency on November 6, 2023.

3.3. KBO League Career

After his time in MLB, De Jesus transitioned to the KBO League in South Korea, becoming a key pitcher for two prominent teams. His KBO registration name is 헤이수스_Heisu-seu^Korean.

3.3.1. Kiwoom Heroes (2024)

On December 17, 2023, De Jesus signed a one-year contract valued at 800.00 K USD with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League. He was brought in to replace pitcher Ian McKinney as a foreign player for the team. In the 2024 season, he made 30 starts for the Kiwoom Heroes, achieving a 13-11 win-loss record with a 3.68 ERA. He recorded 178 strikeouts across 171 and one-third innings pitched. After the season concluded, De Jesus became a free agent.