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Jeff Hoffman

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For the astronaut, see Jeffrey A. Hoffman.

Jeff Hoffman
Hoffman with the Rockies in 2018
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 23
Pitcher
Born: (1993-01-08) January 8, 1993 (age 31)
Latham, New York, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 20, 2016, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
(through August 16, 2024)
Win–loss record23–25
Earned run average4.87
Strikeouts463
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Jeffrey Robert Hoffman (born January 8, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2016. He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. Hoffman played college baseball at East Carolina University.

Early career

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High school

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Hoffman attended Shaker High School in Latham, New York, and played for their baseball team as a pitcher. In his junior year, he pitched to a 7–0 win–loss record. In Hoffman's senior year, he led Shaker High School to their first Section II Class AA title game since 2002 against town rival Colonie High School. Hoffman pitched seven shutout innings, 101 pitches and struck out nine.[1] He struggled to be noticed by college baseball programs in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I, as his fastball averaged 82–83 miles per hour (132–134 km/h). Hoffman pitched in Connie Mack Baseball during the offseason to attract attention from college programs, where his fastball improved to 92 miles per hour (148 km/h). This led to his signing a letter of intent with East Carolina University (ECU), a Division I school in Conference USA.[2]

College

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During his freshman year with the East Carolina Pirates baseball team in 2012, Hoffman started 10 of the 19 games in which he appeared, posting a 3–2 record, one save, a 3.67 earned run average (ERA), and struck out 55 batters in 72+2⁄3 innings pitched.[3] East Carolina reached the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball tournament.

During the 2013 season Hoffman posted a 6–7 record, a 3.20 ERA, led the Pirates with 109+2⁄3 innings pitched and 84 strikeouts, was named to the All-Conference USA second team, and was added to the Golden Spikes Award watch list.[3][4] In his junior year at ECU, Hoffman went 3–3 with a 2.94 ERA before suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.[5]

In 2012 and 2013, Hoffman played collegiate summer baseball for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). He was named a league all-star in 2012, and received the league's Outstanding Pro Prospect award in 2013.[6][7][8][9][10]

Professional career

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Toronto Blue Jays

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Hoffman was considered to be one of the best prospects available in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, with the potential to be selected first overall, before his injury lowered his draft stock.[11] The Toronto Blue Jays selected Hoffman in the first round, with the ninth overall selection,[12] and he signed with Toronto on July 2 for the full bonus slot value of $3.1 million.[13][14] Though unable to pitch, Hoffman was assigned to the Rookie Gulf Coast League Blue Jays for the 2014 season. He began throwing off a mound in February 2015,[15] and made his professional debut with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Advanced-A Florida State League on May 20.[16] Hoffman's fastball reached 99 miles per hour (159 km/h) during his first start.[17] After making 11 starts with Dunedin, the Blue Jays promoted Hoffman to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double-A Eastern League.[18] He made his first start for New Hampshire on July 18, pitching a career-high 6+1⁄3 innings and allowing two earned runs.[19]

Colorado Rockies

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On July 28, the Blue Jays traded Hoffman, José Reyes, Miguel Castro, and Jesús Tinoco, to the Colorado Rockies for Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins.[20] Hoffman was assigned to the New Britain Rock Cats of the Eastern League following the trade.[21] Hoffman began the 2016 season with the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[22] He was selected to appear in the 2016 All-Star Futures Game.[23] Hoffman made his major league debut for the Rockies on August 20.[24] Hoffman continued to remain in the rotation for the remainder of the season, finishing with a record of 0–4 and a 4.88 ERA, as he had 17 walks and 19 strikeouts in 31.1 innings.

The following season, he split time between the AAA level and the Rockies rotation. He was 6–5 with an ERA of 5.89 in 23 games (16 starts). In 2018, Hoffman spent the majority of the season at the AAA level, only making 6 appearances for the Rockies, in which he was 0-0 with an ERA of 9.35. In 2019, with Colorado Hoffman was 2–6 with a 6.56 ERA in 15 starts. That season in AAA, he was 6-8 with a 7.70 ERA in 85.1 innings. In 2020, Hoffman was used exclusively out of the bullpen and in the shortened season, he struggled to a career-worst 9.28 ERA in 16 games.

Cincinnati Reds

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On November 25, 2020, the Colorado Rockies traded Hoffman and Case Williams to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Jameson Hannah and Robert Stephenson.[25] In 2021, Hoffman made 31 appearances (11 starts) for Cincinnati, working to a 3–5 record and 4.56 ERA with 45 walks and 79 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched.

In 2022, Hoffman appeared in 35 games for the Reds, pitching to a 2–0 record and 3.83 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 44+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 15, 2022, Hoffman was designated for assignment.[26] On November 18, he was non-tendered and became a free agent.[27]

Philadelphia Phillies

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On February 26, 2023, Hoffman signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization.[28] On March 28, Hoffman triggered the opt-out clause in his contract after not making the Opening Day roster and became a free agent.[29]

On March 31, 2023, Hoffman signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. The contract included a $1.3 million base salary for any time spent in the majors and contained an opt-out in early May.[30] He made 9 appearances for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, with an 0-2 record while registering a 7.00 ERA with 7 walks and 16 strikeouts in 9.0 innings pitched.

On May 1, Hoffman triggered the opt-out clause, giving the Phillies 48 hours to add him to their active roster or release him.[31] He subsequently had his contract selected on May 4.[32] He enjoyed a breakout season out of the bullpen, boasting a 2.41 ERA and striking out 69 batters in 52.1 innings pitched, an average of 11.9 strikeouts per 9 innings, a career-best for Hoffman. He also allowed just 29 hits, an average of 5 per 9 innings, also a career-best. He made 8 appearances for the Phillies in the 2023 playoffs, allowing 2 runs in 7.0 innings.

He re-signed with the Phillies on a $2.2 million contract for the 2024 season, where he earned his first all-star selection.[33][34]

References

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  1. ^ "Hoffman pitches in". Times Union. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  2. ^ "Riding to college on their arms". Times Union. May 1, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Jeff Hoffman Bio". ecupirates.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  4. ^ ECU Media Relations. "Jeff Hoffman named to Golden Spikes watch list". WNCT. Archived from the original on August 30, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  5. ^ Axisa, Mike (May 7, 2014). "Report: Top draft prospect Jeff Hoffman needs Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  6. ^ Allen, James (July 8, 2012). "Cape Cod ball has area flavor". Times Union. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  7. ^ "Jeff Hoffman". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "Jeffrey Hoffman". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  9. ^ "Harbor Hawks' Hoffman named Outstanding Pro Prospect". capecodbaseball.org. August 15, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  10. ^ ECU Media Relations. "Hoffman named CCBL Outstanding Pro Prospect". WNCT. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  11. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (May 24, 2013). "Date set for 2014 First-Year Player Draft | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  12. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (June 5, 2014). "Jays draft RHP Hoffman, C Pentecost in first round". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  13. ^ Ross, Jaime (July 2, 2014). "Blue Jays sign first rounders Hoffman, Pentecost". MLB.com. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  14. ^ Dakers, Tom (July 2, 2014). "Blue Jays sign their first round draft picks". bluebirdbanter.com. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  15. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (February 12, 2015). "Recovering Jays prospect Hoffman throwing again". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  16. ^ Davidi, Shi (May 11, 2015). "Top Blue Jays prospect Hoffman set for pro debut". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  17. ^ Seiner, Jake (May 20, 2015). "Blue Jays' Hoffman hits 99 in pro debut: 2014 first-rounder returns from Tommy John surgery with Dunedin". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  18. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (July 14, 2015). "Jays promoting top prospect Hoffman to double-A". Sportsnet. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  19. ^ "Fisher Cats Rally, Stun Sea Dogs 5–4 in 11". milb.com. July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  20. ^ Chisholm, Gregor (July 28, 2015). "Tulo Toronto-bound; Rockies get Reyes". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  21. ^ "Former ECU pitcher Hoffman traded to Rockies". witn.com. July 28, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  22. ^ "Colorado Rockies prospect Jeff Hoffman pitches six shutout innings in Triple-A debut for Albuquerque Isotopes". MiLB.com. April 9, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  23. ^ "Rockies prospects Jeff Hoffman, Raimel Tapia named to All-Star Futures Game". The Denver Post. June 28, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  24. ^ Saunders, Patrick (August 19, 2016). "Top prospect Jeff Hoffman to make Rockies pitching debut vs. Cubs". The Denver Post. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  25. ^ "Reds get Hoffman, top 30 prospect in trade". MLB.com.
  26. ^ "Cincinnati Reds add Elly De La Cruz to roster, cut Aristides Aquino". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  27. ^ "These players have been non-tendered". MLB.com.
  28. ^ "Twins' Jeff Hoffman: Heading to Minnesota". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  29. ^ "Jeff Hoffman: Granted release by Twins". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Signs minors deal with Phillies". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  31. ^ "Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Exercises opt-out clause". cbssports.com. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  32. ^ "Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Contract selected by PHI". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "Jeff Hoffman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  34. ^ "Phillies avoid arbitration with 4 players, will exchange figures with Bohm". NBC Sports Philadelphia. January 11, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
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