| Joel Hanrahan | |
|---|---|
 Hanrahan with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1981-10-06)October 6, 1981 (age 43) Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 28, 2007, for the Washington Nationals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 6, 2013, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 22–18 |
| Earned run average | 3.85 |
| Strikeouts | 441 |
| Saves | 100 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Joel Ryan Hanrahan (born October 6, 1981)[1] is an American former professionalbaseballrelief pitcher. Hanrahan was originally astarting pitcher for theWashington Nationals ofMajor League Baseball (MLB) before moving to thecloser role for the Nationals,Pittsburgh Pirates, andBoston Red Sox.
Hanrahan was born inDes Moines, Iowa, USA.[1] He attendedNorwalk High School inNorwalk, Iowa. After graduating, he turned down ascholarship to play baseball at theUniversity of Nebraska and entered the2000 Major League Baseball draft. At that time, he was ranked as the 70th-best prospect in the nation byBaseball America.As profiled inThe Des Moines Register, while in second grade inGainesville, Florida, Hanrahan was asked by his teacher what he wanted to be when he grew up. After he responded with "a Major League ballplayer", the teacher suggested he work on a backup plan. "I think that's what every kid says in elementary school. Nobody ever believes it, but it's something I said, and that's what I tried to work for."[2]
In the2000 MLB draft, Hanrahan was selected in the second round (No. 57 overall) and signed by theLos Angeles Dodgers.[3] In 2000, Hanrahan played for theGreat Falls Dodgers and in 2001, for theWilmington Waves. Hanrahan split the 2002 season between theVero Beach Dodgers and theJacksonville Suns. In 2003, he played for Jacksonville and the DodgersTriple-A affiliate, theLas Vegas 51s. In 2004, his first full season with Las Vegas, Hanrahan went 7–7 with anearned run average (ERA) of 5.05 in 25 games, ranked second on the club with 22 starts, ranked third with 1191⁄3 innings pitched, batted .281 on the season and hit a home run on May 4 against theTucson Sidewinders and posted a 4.11 ERA at home and 6.39 mark on the road in thePacific Coast League. After the 2006 season, Hanrahan became a free agent.
On November 6, 2006, theWashington Nationals signed Hanrahan to a one-year contract. He did not make the team out of spring training, and so started with theAAAColumbus Clippers, starting 17 games, going 5–4 with a 3.70 ERA.
The Nationals, their starting pitching decimated by injuries, purchased Hanrahan's contract in late July, and on July 28, 2007, Hanrahan made his Major League debut against theNew York Mets. In that game, he gave up three runs in six innings, striking out seven, and hitting a triple in his first at-bat. He did not receive a decision, but the Nationals defeated the Mets 6–5.
One week later on August 4, 2007, Hanrahan got his first big league victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing one run and six hits in 52⁄3 innings, and helping his cause by hitting a two-run double. In late 2008, after the trades ofJon Rauch andLuis Ayala, Hanrahan was named thecloser.[4] He finished the season with nine saves as well as striking out 93 batters in 841⁄3 innings pitched.
He competed on Team USA for the2009 World Baseball Classic after an injury toBJ Ryan.[5]
On June 30, 2009 the Nationals traded Hanrahan andLastings Milledge to thePittsburgh Pirates forNyjer Morgan andSean Burnett.[6]
On July 9, 2009, Hanrahan earned a win for the Nationals while on the Pirates roster when Washington beat theHouston Astros in the bottom of the 11th inning in the completion of a game from May 5 because he was the pitcher of record, recording the final out for the Nats in the top of the 11th.[7]
In 2010, Hanrahan struck out 100 batters in 692⁄3 innings and became the Pirates closer at the end of the season.
On February 16, 2011, Pirates managerClint Hurdle announced Hanrahan as the opening day closer for the Pirates. He was named theDelivery Man of the Month Award winner for June 2011.[8]
Hanrahan was named to the All-Star game in 2011, garnered a career high 40 saves in one season, and finished the year with a 1.83 ERA.[9]
On January 16, 2012, Hanrahan agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million deal that included incentives with the Pirates to avoid arbitration.[10] On July 1, Hanrahan and teammateAndrew McCutchen were both named to theAll-Star Game's National League roster for a second consecutive year. At the time of his selection, Hanrahan was third in the National League in saves (20) and had converted in 22 save appearances.[11] "It definitely feels good to come back a second time. Sometimes, people can get in on a fluke. To get voted in by my peers, again, is a huge honor."[2][dead link]
On December 26, 2012, Hanrahan was traded to theBoston Red Sox (along withBrock Holt) forJerry Sands,Stolmy Pimentel,Iván DeJesús, Jr. andMark Melancon.[12] On May 2, Hanrahan got his 100th career save in a 3–1 victory over theToronto Blue Jays, which was his first save since coming off the disabled list.[13] Hanrahan was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain on May 7. He was moved to the 60-day disabled list on May 9.[14] An MRI revealed that there was a damaged flexor tendon in his right elbow. Hanrahan underwent season endingTommy John surgery on May 16.[15] Hanrahan finished the 2013 season with an 0–1 record, four saves, and a 9.82 ERA in nine games. Hanrahan was released on October 31, 2013.
On May 2, 2014, Hanrahan signed a one-year, $1 million contract with theDetroit Tigers.[16] He never played a game for the Tigers in 2014 due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery and on October 31, 2014, Hanrahan became a free agent.[17] On November 14, 2014, he signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.[18][19] On March 4, 2015, Hanrahan was released by the Tigers after being diagnosed with a tear of theulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, requiring him to undergo another Tommy John surgery.[20]
Hanrahan officially announced his retirement from playing baseball on November 15, 2016.[21]
On February 22, 2017, it was announced that Hanrahan would be the assistant pitching coach to the Class AWest Virginia Black Bears of theNew York-Penn League. The team is the short season Class A team of thePittsburgh Pirates. On January 17, 2018, the Pirates promoted him to pitching coach for the Class AWest Virginia Power of theSouth Atlantic League.[22] On December 14, 2021, Hanrahan announced that he would not be returning to the Pirates organization in 2022.[23]
On January 18, 2022, Hanrahan was hired by theWashington Nationals to serve as the pitching coach for theFredericksburg Nationals, Washington's Low-A affiliate.[24] On January 18, 2024, Hanrahan was named as the pitching coach for the rookie leagueFCL Nationals for the 2024 season.
Hanrahan threw two pitches exclusively: a very quickfour-seam fastball (96–99 mph) and aslider in the upper 80s. The radar gun atGreat American Ball Park once clocked him at 102 mph during a Reds game. His fastball was his primary pitch and the one he threw most often in every count except 1–2.
Hanrahan's pitching style changed dramatically following the transition to the bullpen. In 2007, his velocity was about five miles per hour lower across the board. He also made frequent use of achangeup in the low 80s against left-handed hitters. His fastball speed grew considerably in 2008, and by 2010, he stopped throwing the changeup altogether.[25]
