Chavez getting career back on track as starter with 51s

At a slender 6 feet 2 inches and 170 pounds, Jesse Chavez was dogged by durability concerns coming out of Riverside (Calif.) Community College.

The 51s right-hander, who was drafted in the 42nd round by the Texas Rangers in 2002, has been trying to prove himself since.

"I'm not the biggest guy in the world, so that kind of gave me motivation," he said. "That was my whole thing when I signed - let's go out and prove the critics wrong."

Chavez, 28, silenced his critics in a big way in 2009, when he led all major league rookies in appearances, with 73, while compiling a 4.01 ERA for the Pittsburgh Pirates - who acquired him from Texas in 2006 for pitcher Kip Wells.

But Chavez has been unable to repeat his success in the big leagues. His ERA climbed to 5.89 in 2010 in a combined 51 games for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals, and he spent most of last season as the closer for Triple-A Omaha - notching 16 saves and striking out 54 in 57 2/3 innings.

Placed on waivers by the Royals after the season, Chavez was claimed by the Blue Jays, who have converted him to a starter in Las Vegas.

Starting for the first time in eight years, Chavez has been the lone bright spot in the 51s' rotation, going 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in five outings.

"He's around the plate all the time. He's very mentally prepared, and he's got some quality pitches," 51s pitching coach Bob Stanley said. "He's a competitor. For a little guy, that ball comes out of his arm pretty hard."

Chavez took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of Friday's 5-0 victory over Tacoma, allowing two hits in seven innings with five strikeouts and one walk.

"I feel more comfortable as a starter," he said. "Out of the pen you can't use all four pitches in one inning. You've got to stick to your strength, which was fastball, slider all the time.

"Now that I'm able to use my changeup and curveball a lot more, that's helped me out a lot - just being able to set the tone for the game."

Chavez said his fastball command has been the biggest key to his success this season.

"They say this (Pacific Coast League) is a hitter's league, but any league's a hitter's league if you leave the ball up," he said. "My whole goal going out there is to keep the ball down."

■ NOTE - 51s left fielder Travis Snider is expected to be out at least seven days because of a jammed right wrist. He suffered the injury attempting to make a diving catch Thursday at Cashman Field. An MRI examination didn't show any damage.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.