Joel Hanrahan | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. | October 6, 1981|
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 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Joel Ryan Hanrahan (born October 6,1981) [1] is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. Hanrahan was originally a starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB) before moving to the closer role for the Nationals,Pittsburgh Pirates,and Boston Red Sox.
Hanrahan was born in Des Moines,Iowa,USA. [1] He attended Norwalk High School in Norwalk,Iowa. After graduating,he turned down a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Nebraska and entered the 2000 Major League Baseball draft. At that time,he was ranked as the 70th-best prospect in the nation by Baseball America.As profiled in The Des Moines Register ,while in second grade in Gainesville,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 the 2000 MLB draft,Hanrahan was selected in the second round (No. 57 overall) and signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. [3] In 2000,Hanrahan played for the Great Falls Dodgers and in 2001,for the Wilmington Waves. Hanrahan split the 2002 season between the Vero Beach Dodgers and the Jacksonville Suns. In 2003,he played for Jacksonville and the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate,the Las Vegas 51s. In 2004,his first full season with Las Vegas,Hanrahan went 7–7 with an earned 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 the Tucson Sidewinders and posted a 4.11 ERA at home and 6.39 mark on the road in the Pacific Coast League. After the 2006 season, Hanrahan became a free agent.
On November 6, 2006, the Washington Nationals signed Hanrahan to a one-year contract. He did not make the team out of spring training, and so started with the AAA Columbus 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 the New 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 of Jon Rauch and Luis Ayala, Hanrahan was named the closer. [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 the 2009 World Baseball Classic after an injury to BJ Ryan. [5]
On June 30, 2009 the Nationals traded Hanrahan and Lastings Milledge to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett. [6]
On July 9, 2009, Hanrahan earned a win for the Nationals while on the Pirates roster when Washington beat the Houston 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 manager Clint Hurdle announced Hanrahan as the opening day closer for the Pirates. He was named the Delivery 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 teammate Andrew McCutchen were both named to the All-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 the Boston Red Sox (along with Brock Holt) for Jerry Sands, Stolmy Pimentel, Iván DeJesús, Jr. and Mark Melancon. [12] On May 2, Hanrahan got his 100th career save in a 3–1 victory over the Toronto 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 ending Tommy 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 the Detroit 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 the ulnar 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 A West Virginia Black Bears of the New York-Penn League. The team is the short season Class A team of the Pittsburgh Pirates. On January 17, 2018, the Pirates promoted him to pitching coach for the Class A West Virginia Power of the South 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 the Washington Nationals to serve as the pitching coach for the Fredericksburg Nationals, Washington's Low-A affiliate. [24] On January 18, 2024, Hanrahan was named as the pitching coach for the rookie league FCL Nationals for the 2024 season.
Hanrahan threw two pitches exclusively: a very quick four-seam fastball (96–99 mph) and a slider in the upper 80s. The radar gun at Great 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 a changeup 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]
Thomas Edward John Jr., nicknamed "the Bionic Man," is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 26 seasons between 1963 and 1989. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Oakland Athletics. He was a four-time MLB All-Star and has the second-most wins (288) of any pitcher since 1900 not in the Hall of Fame. Known for his longevity, John was the Opening Day starter six times – three for the White Sox and three times for the Yankees.
Daniel Paul Bard is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox from 2009 to 2013. In 2011, Bard set a Red Sox team record with 25 consecutive scoreless appearances. His highest velocity pitch was 102 miles per hour (164 km/h). In subsequent years, Bard experienced a loss of control over his pitches, derailing his playing career. After pitching in only two major league games in 2013, he played for several minor league teams before retiring in 2017 to become a player mentor. In 2020, Bard returned as a player after regaining his control, earned a spot on the Rockies' MLB roster, and went on to win the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award as their closing pitcher.
Sean Richard Burnett is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Washington Nationals.
Jason Michael Grilli is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, and Texas Rangers. Taken as the fourth overall selection of the 1997 MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants, Grilli was one of the top starting pitcher prospects in all of Minor League Baseball, ranked 54th in 1998 and 44th in 1999. The Giants traded him to the Florida Marlins in 1999, for whom he debuted on May 11, 2000.
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays from 2007 to 2021.
Ronald J. Belisario is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.
Mark David Melancon is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Melancon was drafted by the New York Yankees in the ninth round of the 2006 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2009. He led the National League in saves in 2015, and won the Trevor Hoffman Award that year. Melancon was an MLB All-Star in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2021.
Steven Richard Wright is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Wright played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, having made his MLB debut in 2013; he was an All-Star in 2016, and played for the team through 2019. He is known for his knuckleball pitch.
Daniel Claiborne Hudson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Hudson was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut for the White Sox in 2009, and has also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. Hudson was on the mound at the end of Game 7 of the 2019 World Series to clinch the Nationals' first championship in franchise history.
Michael Lance Lynn is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nathan Edward Eovaldi is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox. Eovaldi made his MLB debut in 2011. He was a World Series champion with the Red Sox in 2018 and the Rangers in 2023 and has been selected as an All-Star in 2021 and 2023.
Garrett Thomas Richards is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.
Shelby Charles Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers.
Nathan Andrew Jones is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Justin James Wilson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. Prior to his professional career, Wilson played college baseball for the Fresno State Bulldogs, where he was a member of the 2008 College World Series champions.
Joseph William Kelly Jr. is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox. He played college baseball for the UC Riverside Highlanders. He has served as both a starter and a reliever. The Cardinals drafted Kelly in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 190 pounds (86 kg), Kelly throws and bats right-handed.
Corey Andrew Knebel is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.
Shane Greene is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. The Yankees selected Greene in the 15th round of the 2009 MLB draft. After Greene made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2014, he was traded to the Tigers before the 2015 season. Greene was an All-Star in 2019.
Carson Springer Fulmer is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, and Cincinnati Reds. He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He was drafted by the White Sox in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2016.
William Chandler Crowe is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates.