| Dean Kiekhefer | |
|---|---|
 Kiekhefer at the2015Triple-A All-Star Game | |
| Pitcher /Coach | |
| Born: (1989-06-07)June 7, 1989 (age 36) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 14, 2016, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 2018, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 6.38 |
| Strikeouts | 15 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Dean Allen Kiekhefer (born June 7, 1989) is an American professionalbaseballcoach and formerpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSt. Louis Cardinals andOakland Athletics from 2016 to 2018.
Kiekhefer attendedOldham County High School inBuckner, Kentucky. TheCleveland Indians selected him in the 37th round of the2007 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign with the Indians and playedcollege baseball at theUniversity of Louisville. In 2009, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theWareham Gatemen of theCape Cod Baseball League.[1]
TheSt. Louis Cardinals selected Kiekhefer in the 36th round of the2010 Major League Baseball draft and he signed After signing, Kiekhefer was assigned to theJohnson City Cardinals, and after one game, was promoted to theQuad Cities River Bandits where he finished the season with a 5.14ERA in 28 innings pitched out of the bullpen. In 2011, he returned to Quad Cities where he pitched to a 4–1 record and 1.26 ERA in 57 relief innings, and in 2012 he played for thePalm Beach Cardinals where he was 2–2 with a 2.24 ERA in 46 relief appearances. He spent 2013 with Palm Beach and theSpringfield Cardinals where he was a combined 4–5 with a 3.43 ERA in 36 games between both teams, 2014 with Springfield and theMemphis Redbirds where he posted a combined 2–5 record and 2.90 ERA in 55 relief appearances, and 2015 with Memphis where he was 2–1 with a 2.41 ERA in 50 games.
The Cardinals added him to their40-man roster after the 2015 season.[2] He began 2016 with Memphis.
The Cardinals called Kiekhefer up to the major league roster on May 13,2016.[3] The following day, he made his major league debut inLos Angeles in the sixth inning against theDodgers, allowing no walks and striking out four in1+2⁄3 innings. The only hit and run charged to him—both firsts of his career—was a home run toCorey Seager.[4] He was optioned to Memphis and recalled to St. Louis multiple times during the season before being recalled for the remainder of the season on August 29. In 29 appearances for Memphis he was 6–1 with a 2.08 ERA, and in 22 innings pitched for St. Louis he compiled a 5.32 ERA.
Kiekhefer was claimed off waivers by theSeattle Mariners on November 4, 2016.[5] On December 9, Kiekhefer was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-ATacoma Rainiers.[6] He spent all of 2017 with Triple–A Tacoma, where he pitched to a 3–3 record with a 4.47 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and three saves in 49 games.[7] Kiekhefer elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[8]
On February 17, 2018, Kiekhefer signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds.[9] In eight appearances for the Double-APensacola Blue Wahoos, recording a 1.13 ERA with 10 strikeouts over eight innings of work. Kiekhefer was released by the Reds organization on April 30.
On May 2, 2018, Kiekhefer signed a minor league contract with theOakland Athletics.[10] He began the season with the Double–AMidland RockHounds before being promoted to the Triple–ANashville Sounds. He was promoted to the major leagues on September 1. Kiekhefer elected free agency on October 15.
On October 18, 2018, Kiekhefer re–signed with the Athletics organization on a minor league contract. In six appearances split between Las Vegas and the rookie–levelArizona League Athletics, he struggled to a 12.79 ERA with 6 strikeouts across6+1⁄3 innings pitched. Kiekhefer elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2019.[11]
Kiekhefer announced his retirement from professional baseball on Twitter on November 7, 2019.
He returned to the Cardinals organization in 2020 aspitching coach of theClass A Short SeasonState College Spikes before the minor league season was cancelled due toCOVID-19. For the 2021 season, he was promoted to pitching coach of theSingle-APalm Beach Cardinals. In the offseason, he served as theGlendale Desert Dogs pitching coach in theArizona Fall League. For the 2022 season, he became the Cardinals' minor league assistant pitching coordinator.
For the 2024 season, Kiekhefer was promoted to the major league staff as an assistant pitching coach. After the 2025 season, he was reassigned to a strategist role in the organization.
· Baseball Almanac