J. J. Hoover

James Alan Hoover Jr. (born August 13, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and pitching coach. He has 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
Pitcher
Born: (1987-08-13) August 13, 1987
Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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 record19–21
Earned run average4.17
Strikeouts294
Teams

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]

Hoover with the Cincinnati Reds in 2013.

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]

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
  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. "2008 Harwich Mariners". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. "East All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2008". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  6. "J.J. Hoover Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com".
  7. "Braves purchase the contracts of three players". MLB.com. November 16, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  8. Bowman, Mark (November 16, 2011). "Braves add three Minors pitchers to roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  9. Kaboly, Mark (May 3, 2012). "Elizabeth Forward grad Hoover excited about pitching against Pirates". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  10. Remington, Alex (April 1, 2012). "Braves Trade J.J. Hoover to Reds for Juan Francisco". Fangraphs. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  11. Sheldon, Mark (April 24, 2012). "Reds place Bray on DL with strained groin". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  12. "Cincinnati Reds - TeamReport". Chicago Tribune. April 25, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  13. Hammond, Sean (June 19, 2014). "Reds' pitcher J.J. Hoover returns home amid scuffles". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  14. "Hoover earns first save in Chapman's absence". MLB.com. September 12, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  15. McCoy, Hal (March 4, 2015). "Back to basics: Hoover resolidifies approach to reclaim old form". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  16. Sheldon, Mark (March 31, 2013). "Preparing for Opening Day, Reds set roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  17. Goheen, Kevin (April 9, 2015). "Reds' Hoover passes first test of season". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  18. Goheen, Kevin (March 30, 2014). "Reds finalize their roster". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  19. Sheldon, Mark (August 21, 2014). "Hoover, Contreras optioned to Triple-A". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  20. Rosecrans, C. Trent (August 21, 2014). "Reds send struggling reliever J.J. Hoover to Triple-A". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  21. Sheldon, Mark (April 2, 2015). "LeCure, Lorenzen sent to Minors as Reds finalize roster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  22. "Relief pitcher J.J. Hoover beats Reds in arbitration, to make $1.4M". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  23. Sheldon, Mark (February 5, 2015). "Hoover to get $1.4M in arbitration decision". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  24. "J.J. Hoover gets first shot at claiming Reds' closer role". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  25. "Reds Outright J.J. Hoover".
  26. "Arizona Diamondbacks transactions in January 2017". MLB.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  27. "Added to the 40-Man Roster: Hoover, Diaz, Martinez, Nava, Stassi, Stammen".
  28. "Brewers Sign J.J. Hoover".
  29. "Brewers Select J.J. Hoover's Contract, Designate Tyler Webb".
  30. "Brewers Designate J.J. Hoover".
  31. "J.J. Hoover Elects Free Agency".
  32. "Nationals to Sign J.J. Hoover".
  33. Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  34. "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2022 Transactions".
  35. "Lexington Legends Sign Former Cincinnati Reds Pitcher J.J. Hoover - OurSports Central". 16 June 2021.
  36. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: J.J. Hoover". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  37. "Passion Prompted by God - J.J. Hoover". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  38. "J.J. Hoover". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
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