Even after he'd been told, Kevin Jepsen could not believe he was going to the Beijing Olympics.

After all, the hard-throwing right-handed relief pitcher for the Salt Lake Bees had never played internationally before, had just barely been called up to Triple-A, and had felt back to his old self for mere months after a long recovery from shoulder surgery.

Yet Jepsen could be an integral part of the last U.S. baseball team to play in the Olympics.

Baseball is being discontinued after Beijing, meaning this is the last chance for the Americans to prove themselves on the world stage after shockingly failing to qualify for the 2004 Athens Games in Greece. Judging by his performance in the minor leagues, Jepsen could be their closer.

The 24-year-old Reno native has a blazing fastball that is finally back up near 100 mph after Jepsen spent some three years recovering from his surgery. At times, he feared his arm might never recover, but his season of a lifetime has shown that not to be true.

A former second-round draft pick, Jepsen dominated at Double-A before earning a promotion to the Bees, and played in the All-Star Futures Game during All-Star weekend at Yankee Stadium. He will play in the Olympics alongside Bees teammate Matt Brown.

Web site: None

Competition dates: Aug. 13-23

Timeline:

Born July 26, 1984, second among three sisters and one brother to Randy and Kim Jepsen in Anaheim, Calif.

Starts playing baseball in 1988 with father's encouragement after family moves to Reno, Nev. Immediately shows promise and inexplicably strong arm.

Plays a variety of sports growing up, but throws so hard as baseball pitcher in 1994 that he's not allowed to pitch in little leagues. Plays third base instead, until he reaches middle school.

Enrolls at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno in 1998, playing football and baseball. Loves football, but decides to concentrate on baseball in effort to earn college scholarship.

Makes varsity as sophomore in 2000, and earns all-state honors as a third baseman. Encouraged by development on mound, later devotes himself to improving velocity and getting drafted.

Armed with 98 mph fastball (but admittedly little control), chosen in 2002 by Anaheim Angels in second round of Major League Baseball draft, three rounds ahead of personal cut-off to attend college instead. Plays briefly in rookie league before spending two years at Single-A Cedar Rapids of Midwest League.

Endures shoulder surgery in 2004 to repair torn labrum, misses almost all of following season. Amid slow recovery, fears his pitching prowess might be lost forever.

Spends second inconsistent season in 2007 at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, going just 1-5 with a 4.19 earned-run average and three saves in 44 games.

Finally feeling back to normal this year, rediscovers blazing fastball and dominates enough as closer with Double-A Arkansas to earn selection to Texas League All-Star Game before promotion to Triple-A Salt Lake. Plays in All-Star Futures Game, then earns surprise election to play at Beijing Olympics.