J.J. Hoover, Relief Pitcher

Date of Birth: 8/13/1987
Birthplace: Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
College: Calhoun Community College

J.J. Hoover, relief pitcher, was first drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2008. He played in the Braves' minor league system from 2008 through 2011. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on April 1, 2012.

Hoover joined the Reds for 28 games in 2012. He had one save and a 2.05 ERA in 30.2 innings. The following season, he played in a career high 69 games and he had a 5-5 record, 3 saves, 67 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 2.86 ERA in a career high 66.0 innings. In 2014, his ERA went up to 4.88. That season, he pitched 62.2 innings in 54 games and he had a 1-10 record and a career high 75 strikeouts to 31 walks. His ERA went down again in 2015 and he finished the season with an 8-2 record, 1 save, and a 2.94 ERA in 64.1 innings in 67 games.

In 2016, Hoover spent most of the season in the minors. He pitched 18.2 innings in 18 games with the Reds and he had a 13.50 ERA.

Hoover became a free agent on October 12, 2016. He signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on January 10, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 3 wins and 1 loss, 54 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 3.92 ERA in 41.1 innings in 52 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Hoover elected free agency on December 1, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on January 10, 2018. After pitching just 1.1 innings in 2 games in 2018, the Brewers designated him for assignment on April 11th. He elected free agency on April 16th.

Hoover signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 12, 2019. He spent the 2019 season in the minors and on the DL.

Hoover became a free agent on November 4, 2019. He didn't play professional baseball in 2020.

Hoover played in the independent Atlantic League in 2021.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - J.J. Hoover
ESPN - J.J. Hoover