Phil Hughes, Starting Pitcher

Date of Birth: 6/24/1986
Birthplace: Mission Viejo, California

Phil Hughes, starting pitcher, was a top player in high school before being drafted by the New York Yankees in 2004. He pitched in the Yankees' minor league system before being called up to the team in 2007. That year, he was a starting pitcher for the Yankees, pitching 72.2 innings in 13 games and finishing the season with a 4.46 ERA. He spent the following season on the DL and in the minors, pitching in just 8 games with the Yankees in 2008.

In 2009, Hughes pitched primarily as a relief pitcher. He pitched 86.0 innings and he had an 8-3 record with 3 saves and a 3.03 ERA in 51 games. The following year, he became a starting pitcher for the Yankees and he had one of his best seasons. In 2010, he pitched 176.1 innings in 31 games and he had a career high 18 wins (to 8 losses) and a 4.19 ERA.

Hughes spent a good part of the 2011 season on the DL with a shoulder inflammation, pitching in just 17 games. In January, 2012, he signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Yankees. He had a good season in 2012, pitching a career high 191.1 innings with a 16-13 record, a career high 165 strikeouts (to 46 walks), and a 4.23 ERA.

Hughes struggled in 2013, finishing the season with a 4-14 record and a 5.19 ERA. He became a free agent after the season and in November, 2013, he signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. He had a strong 2014 season with career highs in innings pitched (202.2) and strikeouts (186 to 16 walks). He finished the season with a 16-10 record and a 3.52 ERA in 32 games.

Hughes pitched in 27 games with the Twins in 2015. He finished the season with an 11-9 record, 94 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 4.40 ERA in 155.1 innings.

Hughes spent much of the 2016 season on the DL with a left knee injury caused by a line drive by J.T. Realmuto hitting the knee on June 9, 2016. He finished the season with a 5.95 ERA, 1 win to 7 losses, and 34 strikeouts to 13 walks in 59.0 innings in 12 games.

Hughes was back on the DL in 2017, pitching in just 14 games with the Twins. He finished the season with 4 wins and 3 losses, 38 strikeouts to 13 walks, and a 5.87 ERA in 53.2 innings. He didn't pitch in the Wild Card game.

The Twins traded Hughes to the San Diego Padres on May 27, 2018. He spent time on the DL in 2018. After pitching in 32.2 innings in 7 games with the Twins and 16 games with the Padres, he was released on August 15, 2018.

Hughes hasn't played professional baseball since 2018.

Career pitching statistics for Hughes through 2018 include:

• 290 games played
• 1,291.0 innings pitched
• 88-79 win-loss record
• 1,040 strikeouts to 313 walks
• 4.52 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Phil Hughes
ESPN - Phil Hughes