J. J. Hoover
J. J. Hoover | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Elizabeth, Pennsylvania | August 13, 1987|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 25, 2012, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
MLB statistics (through 2018 season) | |
Win–loss record | 19–21 |
Earned run average | 4.17 |
Strikeouts | 294 |
Teams | |
James Alan Hoover Jr. (born August 13, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Early life[]
James Alan Hoover Jr. was born on August 13, 1987 in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania to Jim and Carol Hoover.[1] He graduated from Elizabeth Forward High School in 2006,[2] and attended Calhoun Community College. In 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[3][4][5]
Professional career[]
Atlanta Braves[]
Hoover was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft out of Calhoun Community College.[2] He made his professional debut with the rookie ball Danville Braves, posting 4.2 scoreless innings of work. The next year, Hoover split the season between the Single-A Rome Braves and the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, recording a 7-6 record and 3.47 ERA in 26 appearances between the two teams. In 2010, Hoover split the year between the Double-A Mississippi Braves and Myrtle Beach, accumulating a 14-7 record and 3.29 ERA with 152 strikeouts in 153.1 innings pitched. In 2011, he split the season between Mississippi and the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, logging a 3-6 record and 2.34 ERA with 117 strikeouts in 105.2 innings of work.[6]
He was added to the Braves' 40-man roster on November 16, 2011, a move meant to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.[7][8] Baseball America ranked him the twelfth-best Braves prospect prior to the 2012 season.[9]
Cincinnati Reds[]
On April 1, 2012, Hoover was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Juan Francisco.[10] Hoover started the 2012 season with the Triple A Louisville Bats. On April 24, Hoover was called to the major leagues for the first time.[11] He made his debut the next day against the San Francisco Giants, and retired the side.[12][13] He earned his first career Major League save on September 12, 2012 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[14] Hoover ended the season with 26 appearances and a 2.05 ERA.[15] He was placed on the Reds' Opening Day roster in 2013.[16] During the 2013 season, Hoover set a team record for right-handed pitchers at 26+1⁄3 innings pitched without an earned run.[17] That year, he pitched in 69 games, and had a 2.86 ERA.[15] Hoover opened the 2014 season with the Reds,[18] and was optioned back to the AAA Louisville Bats on August 21, 2014.[19] At the time, he was 1-10 with a 5.27 ERA in 46 appearances that season.[20] Hoover was recalled to the majors in September and finished the season with a 4.88 ERA.[15] Hoover made the Reds Opening Day roster in 2015,[21] and finished the season with an 8–2 record and 2.94 ERA.[1] Eligible for arbitration for the first time in the 2015–16 offseason, he was awarded $1.4 million.[22] Hoover became the first player to take the Reds to a hearing since Chris Reitsma in 2004.[23] Shortly after spring training began in February 2016, manager Bryan Price named Hoover the Reds closer.[24] On June 28, Hoover gave up his 6th career grand slam, the most in Cincinnati Reds history. He was outrighted off the Reds roster on August 4, 2016 after struggling to a 13.50 ERA in 18 appearances.[25] On October 12, 2016, he elected free agency.
Arizona Diamondbacks[]
On January 10, 2017, Hoover signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that included an invitation to spring training.[26] After a strong spring, Hoover won a bullpen job for the D'Backs.[27] In 52 appearances with Arizona in 2017, Hoover posted a 3-1 record and 3.92 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 41.1 innings of work. He was non-tendered by Arizona on December 1, 2017, and became a free agent.
Milwaukee Brewers[]
On January 10, 2018, Hoover signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.[28] He was assigned to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox to begin the 2018 season. He had his contract purchased to the active roster on April 7, 2018.[29] He was designated for assignment on April 11 after posting a 20.25 ERA in 2 appearances.[30] He was outrighted to Triple-A on April 15, and elected free agency a day later.[31]
Washington Nationals[]
On February 1, 2019, Hoover signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization.[32] He spent the season with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, logging a 6-6 record and 8.47 ERA in 30 appearances with the team. On November 4, he elected free agency.[33]
Canberra Cavalry[]
On November 6, 2019, Hoover signed with the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League. In 9 appearances with Canberra, Hoover pitched to a 4-2 record and 3.81 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 52.0 innings of work.
Lexington Legends[]
On June 14, 2021, Hoover signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.[34] Hoover did not appear in a game with the Monarchs before being traded to the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in exchange for cash considerations on June 16.[35] He became a free agent following the season.
Pitching style[]
Hoover throws three pitches: a four-seam fastball at 91–94 mph, a curveball (76–79), and a developing changeup to left-handed hitters (85–88).[36]
Personal life[]
Hoover is married to Megan-Kate Hoover.[37] Hoover is a Christian.[38]
References[]
- ^ a b McKall, Dave (December 30, 2015). "Hoover's pitching roots took hold early". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ a b Robertson, Scott (July 3, 2008). "PG South: EF grad Hoover selected in 10th round by Atlanta". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ "2008 Harwich Mariners". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ "East All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2008". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "J.J. Hoover Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com".
- ^ "Braves purchase the contracts of three players". MLB.com. November 16, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (November 16, 2011). "Braves add three Minors pitchers to roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Kaboly, Mark (May 3, 2012). "Elizabeth Forward grad Hoover excited about pitching against Pirates". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Remington, Alex (April 1, 2012). "Braves Trade J.J. Hoover to Reds for Juan Francisco". Fangraphs. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (April 24, 2012). "Reds place Bray on DL with strained groin". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ "Cincinnati Reds - TeamReport". Chicago Tribune. April 25, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Hammond, Sean (June 19, 2014). "Reds' pitcher J.J. Hoover returns home amid scuffles". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ "Hoover earns first save in Chapman's absence". MLB.com. September 12, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ a b c McCoy, Hal (March 4, 2015). "Back to basics: Hoover resolidifies approach to reclaim old form". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (March 31, 2013). "Preparing for Opening Day, Reds set roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Goheen, Kevin (April 9, 2015). "Reds' Hoover passes first test of season". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Goheen, Kevin (March 30, 2014). "Reds finalize their roster". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (August 21, 2014). "Hoover, Contreras optioned to Triple-A". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Rosecrans, C. Trent (August 21, 2014). "Reds send struggling reliever J.J. Hoover to Triple-A". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (April 2, 2015). "LeCure, Lorenzen sent to Minors as Reds finalize roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ "Relief pitcher J.J. Hoover beats Reds in arbitration, to make $1.4M". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (February 5, 2015). "Hoover to get $1.4M in arbitration decision". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ "J.J. Hoover gets first shot at claiming Reds' closer role". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/reds-outright-j-j-hoover.html
- ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks transactions in January 2017". MLB.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/03/padres-add-craig-stammen-to-40-man-roster.html
- ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/brewers-sign-j-j-hoover.html
- ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/brewers-select-j-j-hoovers-contract-designate-tyler-webb.html
- ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/brewers-designate-j-j-hoover.html
- ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/brewers-outright-j-j-hoover.html
- ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/nationals-to-sign-j-j-hoover.html
- ^ Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ https://aabaseball.com/transactions/
- ^ "Lexington Legends Sign Former Cincinnati Reds Pitcher J.J. Hoover - OurSports Central".
- ^ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: J.J. Hoover". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
- ^ "Passion Prompted by God - J.J. Hoover". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "J.J. Hoover". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- J. J. Hoover on Twitter
- 1987 births
- Living people
- People from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
- Baseball players from Pennsylvania
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Cincinnati Reds players
- Arizona Diamondbacks players
- Milwaukee Brewers players
- Calhoun Warhawks baseball players
- Danville Braves players
- Rome Braves players
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans players
- Mississippi Braves players
- Gwinnett Braves players
- Surprise Saguaros players
- Louisville Bats players
- Arizona League Diamondbacks players
- Kane County Cougars players
- Reno Aces players
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
- Fresno Grizzlies players
- Harwich Mariners players
- American expatriate baseball players in Australia