J. J. Hoover

James Allen Hoover Jr. (born August 13, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Milwaukee Brewers.

J. J. Hoover
Hoover with the Cincinnati Reds in 2016
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1987-08-13) August 13, 1987
Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 25, 2012, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
(through 2018 Season)
Win–loss record19–21
Earned run average4.17
Strikeouts294
Saves6
Teams

Early life

James Allen 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.[3]

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 was added to the Braves' 40-man roster on November 16, 2011, a move meant to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.[4][5] Baseball America ranked him the twelfth-best Braves prospect prior to the 2012 season.[6]

Hoover with the Cincinnati Reds in 2013.

Cincinnati Reds

On April 1, 2012, Hoover was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Juan Francisco.[7] Hoover started the 2012 season at Triple A Louisville. On April 24 he was called up from Louisville.[8] He made his debut the next day against the San Francisco Giants, and retired the side.[9][10] He earned his first career Major League save on September 12, 2012 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[11] Hoover ended the season with 26 appearances and a 2.05 ERA.[12] He was placed on the Reds' Opening Day roster in 2013.[13] During the 2013 season, Hoover set a team record for right-handed pitchers at ​26 1⁄3 innings pitched without an earned run.[14] That year, he pitched in 69 games, and had a 2.86 ERA.[12] Hoover opened the 2014 season with the Reds,[15] and was optioned back to the AAA Louisville Bats on August 21, 2014.[16] At the time, he was 1-10 with a 5.27 ERA in 46 appearances that season.[17] Hoover was recalled to the majors in September and finished the season with a 4.88 ERA.[12] Hoover made the Reds Opening Day roster in 2015,[18] 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.[19] Hoover became the first player to take the Reds to a hearing since Chris Reitsma in 2004.[20] Shortly after spring training began in February 2016, manager Bryan Price named Hoover the Reds closer.[21] 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.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 10, 2017, Hoover signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that included an invitation to spring training.[22] After a strong spring, Hoover won a bullpen job for the D'Backs. He was non-tendered and became a free agent on December 1, 2017.

Milwaukee Brewers

On January 10, 2018, Hoover signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He had his contract purchased on April 7, 2018. He was designated for assignment on April 11. He was outrighted to Triple-A on April 15, and elected free agency a day later.

Washington Nationals

On February 1, 2019, Hoover signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.[23]

Canberra Cavalry

On November 6, 2019, Hoover signed with the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League.

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).[24]

Personal life

Hoover is married to Megan-Kate Hoover.[25] Hoover is a Christian.[26]

References
  1. McKall, Dave (December 30, 2015). "Hoover's pitching roots took hold early". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  2. Robertson, Scott (July 3, 2008). "PG South: EF grad Hoover selected in 10th round by Atlanta". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  3. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. "Braves purchase the contracts of three players". MLB.com. November 16, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  5. Bowman, Mark (November 16, 2011). "Braves add three Minors pitchers to roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  6. Kaboly, Mark (May 3, 2012). "Elizabeth Forward grad Hoover excited about pitching against Pirates". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  7. Remington, Alex (April 1, 2012). "Braves Trade J.J. Hoover to Reds for Juan Francisco". Fangraphs. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  8. Sheldon, Mark (April 24, 2012). "Reds place Bray on DL with strained groin". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  9. "Cincinnati Reds - TeamReport". Chicago Tribune. April 25, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  10. Hammond, Sean (June 19, 2014). "Reds' pitcher J.J. Hoover returns home amid scuffles". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  11. "Hoover earns first save in Chapman's absence". MLB.com. September 12, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  12. McCoy, Hal (March 4, 2015). "Back to basics: Hoover resolidifies approach to reclaim old form". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  13. Sheldon, Mark (March 31, 2013). "Preparing for Opening Day, Reds set roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  14. Goheen, Kevin (April 9, 2015). "Reds' Hoover passes first test of season". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  15. Goheen, Kevin (March 30, 2014). "Reds finalize their roster". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  16. Sheldon, Mark (August 21, 2014). "Hoover, Contreras optioned to Triple-A". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  17. Rosecrans, C. Trent (August 21, 2014). "Reds send struggling reliever J.J. Hoover to Triple-A". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  18. Sheldon, Mark (April 2, 2015). "LeCure, Lorenzen sent to Minors as Reds finalize roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  19. "Relief pitcher J.J. Hoover beats Reds in arbitration, to make $1.4M". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  20. Sheldon, Mark (February 5, 2015). "Hoover to get $1.4M in arbitration decision". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  21. "J.J. Hoover gets first shot at claiming Reds' closer role". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  22. "Arizona Diamondbacks transactions in January 2017". MLB.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  23. Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  24. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: J.J. Hoover". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  25. "Passion Prompted by God - J.J. Hoover". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  26. "J.J. Hoover". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
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