Jimenez signs free agent deal with Pittsburgh Pirates

ORANGE, Calif. – Senior Joe Jimenez signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, joining teammate Nick Garcia in the Pirates' organization. Jimenez and Garcia both signed their contracts on Thursday, July 2.

Jimenez caught Garcia through his transition from an infielder to the third-round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in June's MLB Draft. The two became the third and fourth Chapman players in the last three years to sign a professional contract, joining drafted players Christian Cosby (2018) and Tyler Peck (2019).

The Panthers' captain helped lead the team to a national championship in 2019 from behind the plate. He was an All-Tournament selection at the Division III World Series after hitting the Panthers' only home run at the championship site and catching two runners stealing.

In 2020, Jimenez was enjoying his best season at the plate. In 12 games before the cancellation of all sports, Jimenez was hitting .348 and had already tied career-highs with five doubles and two home runs. He caught 30 runners trying to steal in his four years, including 17 runners caught stealing in 2019.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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