Jairo Asencio

Resides in Sabana Grande Palenque, Dominican Republic...Formerly known as Luis Valdez...Signed by Jose Luna (Pirates).

2011

Made 53 appearances between Triple-A Gwinnett and Atlanta, going a combined 3-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 65.0 IP. Also combined to match his career high with 78 strikeouts...His 26 saves led Braves farmhands and his 1.81 ERA ranked fourth among Braves minor league relievers...He led the GWI Club and made the fourth-most appearances among Braves minor league pitchers with 47...Appeared on the Major League roster on three separate occasions. Was recalled for the first time on 4/16; optioned on 4/28: recalled on 5/19; optioned on 5/25: recalled on 6/17, optioned for the final time on 6/28...Made first appearance on 4/18 at LAD with 2.0 scoreless frames (four hits, two strikeouts)...Did not allow a hit over three scoreless innings on 4/20 at LAD, his longest career outing...Recalled 6/17 from GWI. Made his first app. that evening since 5/20 at LAA, allowing one run on three hits in 2.0 IP...In 27 attempts, recorded an International-League-leading 26 saves with GWI...Posted 15 saves pre-All-Star break and 11 post-All-Star break...Saves by month: April (3), May (2), June (6), July (8), August (5), September (2)...His only blown save resulted in a win on 8/9 (G 2) after allowing one unearned run in 0.2 IP vs. SWB...Allowed an earned run in seven of his 47 app. with GWI. Made 14 consecutive scoreless app., 6/30-7/30...Appeared in 23 games for Toros del Este of the Dominican Winter League (1-1-10, 1.07 ERA). Also pitched for Escogido of the DWL and earned MVP of the Caribbean Series (0.00 ERA, 3 S, 3.0 IP, 3 K).

2010

Spent the entire season on the restricted list; did not play.

2009

Made his Major League debut on 7/12 at COL by tossing 0.2 innings and allowing one earned run...Led all Braves farmhands in saves (72) and games pitched (58)...Was named to both the International League mid-season and postseason All-Star teams...Appeared in 22 games for the Toros del Este of the Domincan Winter League (3-1, 2 saves, 2.25 ERA, 32.0 IP, 6 BB, 33 K).

2008

Spent his first year in the Braves' organization with Mississippi (AA), setting career highs in games (55), saves (28) and opponents average (.208). ...He ranked tied for second in the Southern League in saves and fourth in games played. ...Named by Baseball America as the Best Reliever in the Southern League. ...Led all Braves minor leaguers in games and saves, ranked fourth in opponents average and fifth in reliever ERA (2.76). His 28 saves ranked tied for 11th in all the minors. ...Named a Mid-Season SL All-Star. ...Named the M-Braves August Pitcher of the Month by the organization (1-1, 7 SV, 2.19 ERA, 10 games). ...After struggling to a 5.25 ERA in 10 games in April, he rebounded with six saves and a 0.00 ERA in 10 May games. He had a 1.46 ERA in June, 4.24 in July and 2.19 in August. ...Went 2-2 with 14 saves and 3.62 ERA in 28 home games and 2-1 with 14 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 27 night games. ...Held left-handed hitters to a .178 avg. (19-for-107) and 2 HR, and right-handed hitters to a .234 avg. (29- for-124) with just one HR. ...Set a new M-Braves record by for saves in a season with his 22nd save in the Braves 2-1 win over HVL on 8/1. ...Went 28.1 innings without giving up an earned run from 4/18-6/21. ...Capped the M-Braves improbable championship by tossing the final 1.1 scoreless innings in the Braves 3-2, 10-inning win over Carolina in game five of the SLCS on 9/13 and improved to 2-0 in the postseason. ...He got his first win of the postseason by throwing 1.1 scoreless innings in the M-Braves 5-4, 10-inning win in game one of the SLCS. ...Recorded saves on 9/4 and 9/5 at Birmingham in the SLDS. ...Went 3-1 with a 4.96 ERA (16.1 IP/9 ER) in 15 games with Azucareros of the Dominican Winter League.

2007

His five saves was the most since 2003...Strikeout to walk ratio was 3:1 (78:26)...His best month came in August when he went 1-0 with three saves and an ERA of 2.30 through nine appearances.

2006

Tied for the South Atlantic League lead in complete games and allowed a league-high 20 home runs...Ranked fifth among SAL starting pitchers in BB/9 IP (1.84)...Was promoted to Lynchburg on 6/9.

2005

Split time between Hickory and Williamsport to go a combined 4-7 with a 5.21 ERA.

2004

Was named the Topps Gulf Coast League Player of the Month for August (4-0, 1.00 ERA, 4 GS)...Topped the league in wins, complete games and shutouts and was second in innings pitched.