C.J. Riefenhauser #34

C.J. Riefenhauser is in his first season in the Cubs organization after being claimed off waivers from Baltimore, February 12, 2016 ... spent parts of the last two seasons at the big league level with the Tampa Bay Rays, going 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA (14 ER/20.0 IP) in 24 relief appearances. Was traded twice during the past offseason, going from Tampa Bay to Seattle in a six-player deal, November 5, 2015 and then was acquired by Baltimore in a three-player deal, December 2, 2015 ... was designated for assignment by the Orioles, February 4, 2016. Has gone 30-23 with 15 saves and a 2.77 ERA (138 ER/448.0 IP) in 191 minor league outings, including 42 starts ... made his professional debut in 2010 and last season split time between Tampa Bay and Triple-A Durham. Originally selected by Tampa Bay in the 20th round of the 2010 Draft. Attended Iona College (N.Y.) for the fall semester of his freshman year before transferring to Guilford Tech Community College in Greensboro, N.C. ... later transferred to Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla. Graduated from Mahopac High School in Mahopac, N.Y. ... was selected to the All-League and All-Selection teams and also played on the football team.

2015

C.J. Riefenhauser made four stints with the Rays, going 1-0 with a 5.52 ERA (9 ER/14.2 IP) in 17 relief outings ... spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Durham where he posted a 2.86 ERA (11 ER/34.2 IP) in 29 appearances out of the bullpen. Placed on the 15-day disabled list April 19 with left shoulder inflammation ... reinstated May 29 and optioned to Durham. Earned his first major league victory June 14 vs. the White Sox, allowing one hit in 1.0 inning ... went 4-2 on the season at Tampa Bay. Did not surrender a run over his final seven appearances (5.0 IP) with the Rays from September 14-October 3. Held righties to a .192 average (5-for-26) with Tampa Bay. Went 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA (4 ER/22.0 IP) and 23 strikeouts during 18 home games with Triple-A Durham. Held left-handed batters to a .167 batting average (7-for-42) while pitching for the Bulls. Posted a 12-game scoreless streak (14.2 IP) in August with Durham.

2014

Spent most of the season with Triple-A Durham but made 7 apps over two stints with the Rays (April 19-22) and (Sep 15-season's end)…His first 4 apps came against the Yankees, all at Tropicana Field...Made his major league debut on April 19 vs. NYY, retiring all 4 batters faced after replacing Chris Archer in the 7th inning of a Rays 16-1 win...Became the first Ray to have a perfect app in his debut since Chad Orvella in 2005...The next day with the score tied, issued a bases-loaded walk to Dean Anna in the 12th inning after intentionally walking Jacoby Ellsbury with 2 out and runners on 1B and 3B…Yankees went on to score 4 runs that innng en route to a 5-1 win...Returned to Durham two days later...Finished 2nd on the Bulls staff in appearances (39) and relief innings (57.2)...Made 5 postseason apps and compiled a 5.14 ERA (7-IP, 4-ER)...Lefties batted just .119 (8-for-67) off him at Durham and and have batted .131 (62-for-470) during his minor league career…the highest average lefties have had against him was a .159 mark in 2012 while he pitched at Class-A Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery...Worked a season-high 3 innings (1-H, 2-SO) on July 31 vs. Charotte (White Sox)...Didn't allow an earned run in 20 his last 21 appearances for Durham.

2013

Converted to full-time relief duty in his fourth professional season…returned to Double-A Montgomery to open the season and earned a June 29 promotion to Triple-A Durham…combined between his two stops to go 6-1 with 11 saves and a 1.22 ERA (73.2-IP, 10-ER) in 51 games... Earned several awards over the course of the season…Baseball America tabbed him as their lone reliever on the Minor League All-Star Team after the season, as well as Best Reliever in the Southern League…named to the Southern League midseason All-Star Team…chosen as the Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June after going 3-0 with 6 saves with a 0.00 ERA (17-IP, 10-H, 3-R, 0-ER, 2-BB, 18-SO)... Limited opponents to a combined .163 (42-for-257) batting avg. between Montgomery and Durham…held lefties to a .122 avg. (10-for-82, 1-HR) while righties hit .183 (32-for-175, 4-HR)... Did not allow a run over his final 28.1 IP with Montgomery, spanning 18 outings... Pitched a perfect 8th inning on 6 pitches in the Futures Game at Citi Field on July 14…replaced injured Rays prospect Taylor Guerrieri on the U.S. team.