| Danny Hultzen | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Hultzen atVirginia in 2009 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1989-11-28)November 28, 1989 (age 35) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 8, 2019, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 24, 2019, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 0.00 |
| Strikeouts | 5 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Daniel Alexander Hultzen (born November 28, 1989) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago Cubs in 2019. Hultzen attended theUniversity of Virginia, where he starred for theVirginia Cavaliers baseball team. He was drafted and selected second overall by theSeattle Mariners in the2011 MLB draft. Hultzen pitched a scoreless inning for the Cubs in his major league debut against Milwaukee on September 8, 2019.
Hultzen attendedSt. Albans School inWashington, D.C. starting in seventh grade. There he was named First-Team All-American byBaseball America.[1] Hultzen was drafted to theArizona Diamondbacks in the 10th round of the2008 MLB Draft. However, Hultzen didn't sign, opting to attend college.
Hultzen enrolled at theUniversity of Virginia, where he playedcollege baseball for theVirginia Cavaliers baseball team in theAtlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In 2009, Hultzen won ACC Freshman of the Year for baseball and was named First-Team All-ACC. He was also named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll and All-ACC Baseball Team.[1]
In 2010, Hultzen was namedACC Pitcher of the Year. He is the first Virginia Cavalier to win the award.[2] He was also named First-Team All-ACC a second time. Over the 2010 season, Hultzen finished with a 10–3 record and an ERA of 1.59 in96+1⁄3 innings. In 2011, Hultzen won theJohn Olerud Award, awarded annually by theCollege Baseball Foundation to the besttwo-way player of the season.[3]
On June 6, 2011, Hultzen was the second player selected in the2011 Major League Baseball draft, taken by theSeattle Mariners. Hultzen signed a contract with Seattle on August 15. The deal was worth a minimum of $8.5 million over five-years, with a $6.35 million signing bonus.[4] He made his professional debut in 2012 with theJackson Generals and was promoted to theTacoma Rainiers in June. In 25 total starts between the two clubs, he was 9–7 with a 3.05 ERA.[5] He was named to appear in the 2012All-Star Futures Game.[6]
Hultzen missed the majority of the 2013 season due to a shoulder injury. After the 2013 season, he underwent surgery to repair a tornlabrum androtator cuff in his shoulder, and missed the entire 2014 season.[7] He played in only three games in 2015 due to injury. In 2016, while rehabbing with theAZL Mariners, he suffered recurring problems and underwent another surgery.[8] Hultzen elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.[9]
Hultzen sat out the 2017 season while finishing his university degree.[10]
On March 1, 2018, Hultzen signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs organization.[11] He was assigned to the Triple–AIowa Cubs to start the 2019 season.
Hultzen allowed zero runs in his major league debut on September 8, 2019. He pitched the seventh inning for the Cubs against theMilwaukee Brewers. After issuing a hit batsman and a single, he struck out the side.[12] On December 2, Hultzen was non-tendered by Chicago and became a free agent.[13]
On January 22, 2020, Hultzen re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league deal. Hultzen did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[14] He became a free agent on November 2.[15]
On January 14, 2021, Hultzen announced his retirement, and joined theChicago Cubs front office as a pitching development assistant under Assistant General Manager and Vice President of PitchingCraig Breslow.[16]
Hultzen was considered one of the most polished prospects in the 2011 draft class due to the excellent command he had over his pitches.[2]
In addition to his pitching, Hultzen was considered an excellent position player, although it was unlikely he would ever have been developed as a position prospect.[2]
His main pitch was afour-seam fastball at 91–94 mph. He also had atwo-seam fastball with similar velocity. His off-speed pitches were aslider andvulcan changeup in the low 80s.[17][18]
Hultzen struggled with his control in AAA in 2012, walking 43 hitters in48+2⁄3 innings.[19] Addressing those concerns, Hultzen said, "You need to learn how to fail in this game ... I haven't faced a lot of failure as a pitcher. You need to learn how to cope with it, and I think I have. Hopefully most of it is behind me."[18]