J. J. Hoover
J. J. Hoover | |
---|---|
![]() Hoover with the Cincinnati Reds in 2016 | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Elizabeth, Pennsylvania,U.S. | August 13, 1987|
Batted:Right Threw:Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 25, 2012, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
Last MLB appearance | |
April 10, 2018, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 19–21 |
Earned run average | 4.17 |
Strikeouts | 294 |
Teams | |
James Alan Hoover Jr.(born August 13, 1987) is an American formerprofessional baseballpitcherandpitching coach.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theCincinnati Reds,Arizona Diamondbacks,andMilwaukee Brewers.
Early life[edit]
James Alan Hoover Jr. was born on August 13, 1987, inElizabeth, Pennsylvania,to Jim and Carol Hoover.[1]He graduated fromElizabeth Forward High Schoolin 2006,[2]and attendedCalhoun Community College.In 2008, he playedcollegiate summer baseballwith theHarwich Marinersof theCape Cod Baseball Leagueand was named a league all-star.[3][4][5]
Professional career[edit]
Atlanta Braves[edit]
Hoover was drafted by theAtlanta Bravesin the 10th round of the2008 Major League Baseball Draftout ofCalhoun Community College.[2]He made his professional debut with the rookie ballDanville Braves,posting 4.2 scoreless innings of work. The next year, Hoover split the season between the Single-ARome Bravesand the High-AMyrtle 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-AMississippi Bravesand 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-AGwinnett 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 theRule 5 Draft.[7][8]Baseball Americaranked him the twelfth-best Braves prospect prior to the 2012 season.[9]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/JJ_Hoover_20130625.jpg/220px-JJ_Hoover_20130625.jpg)
Cincinnati Reds[edit]
On April 1, 2012, Hoover was traded to theCincinnati RedsforJuan Francisco.[10]Hoover started the 2012 season with the Triple ALouisville Bats.On April 24, Hoover was called to the major leagues for the first time.[11]He made his debut the next day against theSan Francisco Giants,and retired the side.[12][13]He earned his first career Major League save on September 12, 2012, against thePittsburgh 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 at26+1⁄3innings 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 AAALouisville Batson 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 sinceChris Reitsmain 2004.[23]Shortly after spring training began in February 2016, managerBryan Pricenamed 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[edit]
On January 10, 2017, Hoover signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacksthat 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[edit]
On January 10, 2018, Hoover signed a minor league deal with theMilwaukee Brewersorganization.[28]He was assigned to the Triple-AColorado Springs Sky Soxto 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[edit]
On February 1, 2019, Hoover signed a minor league contract with theWashington Nationalsorganization.[32]He spent the season with the Triple-AFresno 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[edit]
On November 6, 2019, Hoover signed with theCanberra Cavalryof theAustralian 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.
Le xing ton Legends[edit]
On June 14, 2021, Hoover signed with theKansas City Monarchsof theAmerican Association of Independent Professional Baseball.[34]Hoover did not appear in a game with the Monarchs before being traded to theLe xing ton Legendsof theAtlantic League of Professional Baseballin exchange for cash considerations on June 16.[35]In 20 starts for the club, he posted a 7–1 record and 6.06 ERA with 95 strikeouts across108+1⁄3innings pitched.
In 2022, Hoover started 11 games for Le xing ton, struggling to a 2–6 record and 6.34 ERA with 50 strikeouts across 61 innings of work.[36]He became a free agent following the season.
Pitching style[edit]
Hoover throws three pitches: afour-seam fastballat 91–94 mph, acurveball(76–79), and a developingchangeupto left-handed hitters (85–88).[37]
Personal life[edit]
Hoover is married to Megan-Kate Hoover.[38]Hoover is aChristian.[39]
References[edit]
- ^abMcKall, Dave (December 30, 2015)."Hoover's pitching roots took hold early".Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^abRobertson, Scott (July 3, 2008)."PG South: EF grad Hoover selected in 10th round by Atlanta".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^"Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League"(PDF).capecodbaseball.org.RetrievedSeptember 25,2019.
- ^"2008 Harwich Mariners".thebaseballcube.RetrievedSeptember 23,2021.
- ^"East All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2008".capecodbaseball.org.RetrievedMay 6,2020.
- ^"J.J. Hoover Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference".
- ^"Braves purchase the contracts of three players".MLB.November 16, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Bowman, Mark (November 16, 2011)."Braves add three Minors pitchers to roster".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Kaboly, Mark (May 3, 2012)."Elizabeth Forward grad Hoover excited about pitching against Pirates".Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Remington, Alex (April 1, 2012)."Braves Trade J.J. Hoover to Reds for Juan Francisco".Fangraphs.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Sheldon, Mark (April 24, 2012)."Reds place Bray on DL with strained groin".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^"Cincinnati Reds - TeamReport".Chicago Tribune.April 25, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Hammond, Sean (June 19, 2014)."Reds' pitcher J.J. Hoover returns home amid scuffles".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^"Hoover earns first save in Chapman's absence".MLB.September 12, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^abcMcCoy, Hal (March 4, 2015)."Back to basics: Hoover resolidifies approach to reclaim old form".Fox Sports.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Sheldon, Mark (March 31, 2013)."Preparing for Opening Day, Reds set roster".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Goheen, Kevin (April 9, 2015)."Reds' Hoover passes first test of season".Fox Sports.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Goheen, Kevin (March 30, 2014)."Reds finalize their roster".Fox Sports.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Sheldon, Mark (August 21, 2014)."Hoover, Contreras optioned to Triple-A".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Rosecrans, C. Trent (August 21, 2014)."Reds send struggling reliever J.J. Hoover to Triple-A".Cincinnati Enquirer.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Sheldon, Mark (April 2, 2015)."LeCure, Lorenzen sent to Minors as Reds finalize roster".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^"Relief pitcher J.J. Hoover beats Reds in arbitration, to make $1.4M".ESPN.Associated Press. February 5, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^Sheldon, Mark (February 5, 2015)."Hoover to get $1.4M in arbitration decision".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 7,2016.
- ^"J.J. Hoover gets first shot at claiming Reds' closer role".ESPN.Associated Press. February 18, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 19,2016.
- ^"Reds Outright J.J. Hoover".
- ^"Arizona Diamondbacks transactions in January 2017".MLB.RetrievedJanuary 12,2017.
- ^"Added to the 40-Man Roster: Hoover, Diaz, Martinez, Nava, Stassi, Stammen".
- ^"Brewers Sign J.J. Hoover".
- ^"Brewers Select J.J. Hoover's Contract, Designate Tyler Webb".
- ^"Brewers Designate J.J. Hoover".
- ^"J.J. Hoover Elects Free Agency".
- ^"Nationals to Sign J.J. Hoover".
- ^Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019)."Minor League Free Agents 2019".Baseball America.RetrievedNovember 7,2019.
- ^"American Association of Professional Baseball - 2022 Transactions".
- ^"Le xing ton Legends Sign Former Cincinnati Reds Pitcher J.J. Hoover - OurSports Central".June 16, 2021.
- ^"J.J. Hoover Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics".baseball-reference.RetrievedMarch 19,2024.
- ^"Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: J.J. Hoover".Brooks Baseball.RetrievedJune 14,2012.
- ^"Passion Prompted by God - J.J. Hoover".RetrievedAugust 11,2019.
- ^"J.J. Hoover".RetrievedAugust 11,2019.
External links[edit]
- Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)
- J. J. HooveronX
- 1987 births
- Living people
- People from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
- Baseball players from Allegheny County, 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
- Le xing ton Legends 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