Chris Hatcher (pitcher)

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Chris Hatcher

|image = File:Chris Hatcher (4426043492).jpg

|caption = Hatcher while still playing as catcher with the Florida Marlins in 2010 spring training

|position = Pitcher / Catcher

|bats = Switch

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|1|12}}

|birth_place = Kinston, North Carolina, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 19

|debutyear = 2010

|debutteam = Florida Marlins

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=September 30

|finalyear=2018

|finalteam=Oakland Athletics

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 12–17

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.55

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 266

|teams =

Florida/Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2014}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2017}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}})

}}

David Christopher Hatcher (born January 12, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida/Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Oakland Athletics.

Career

=Amateur=

Hatcher attended Kinston High School in Kinston, North Carolina, where he played catcher and also pitched.{{cite web|url=http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20021127/baseball-team-adds-versatility|title=Baseball team adds versatility|work=Starnewsonline.com|first=Brian|last=Hendrickson|date=November 27, 2002|access-date=February 17, 2017}} After graduation, he was recruited to play baseball for the University of North Carolina Wilmington. As a freshman, he hit .315 in 29 games while also pitching two innings.{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=Chris-Hatcher-1|title=Chris Hatcher Baseball Statistics|work=Baseball Cube|access-date=February 17, 2017}} As a sophomore, he hit .300 with seven homers and 39 RBI and as a junior he hit .348 with seven homers and 55 RBI.

=Florida / Miami Marlins=

The Florida Marlins selected Hatcher in the fifth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.wect.com/story/12850446/chris-hatcher-promoted-up-to-triple-a?clienttype=printable&redirected=true|title=Chris Hatcher promoted up to Triple-A|publisher=wect.com|first=John|last=Smist|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=June 19, 2012}} He began his professional career with the Marlins organization as a catcher. His best minor league season was 2007 with the Class A Greensboro Grasshoppers, where he played in 102 games and had a .242 batting average and 15 home runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hatche001dav|title=Chris Hatcher Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=December 8, 2013}}

Hatcher was promoted to the Major Leagues for the first time on September 1, 2010 as a catcher.{{cite news|url=http://www.wcti12.com/sports/24843769/detail.html|title=Chris Hatcher Called Up To Big Leagues – Sports News Story – WCTI12 New Bern|first=Katie|last=Moisse|work=ABC News|date=September 1, 2010|access-date=September 1, 2010}} He made his MLB debut as a pinch hitter on September 19, in the bottom of the ninth inning against Scott Maine of the Chicago Cubs, and struck out swinging.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO201009190.shtml|title=September 19, 2010 Chicago Cubs at Florida Marlins play-by-play and box score|work=baseball reference|access-date=December 12, 2014}} He was hitless in six at-bats in five games in 2010 for the Marlins, which included two starts at catcher.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=hatchch02&t=b&year=2010|title=Chris Hatcher 2010 batting gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=December 12, 2014}}

In 2011, Hatcher switched position to pitcher, at the behest of the Marlins' organization, to facilitate his return to the majors. He was the first player since the 1940s to change positions from a catcher to a pitcher{{cite news|url=http://jacksonville.com/sports/2011-04-07/story/plate-mound-suns-chris-hatcher-makes-switch-catcher-pitcher|title=From plate to mound: Jacksonville Suns' Chris Hatcher makes switch from catcher to pitcher|first=Jeff|last=Elliott|publisher=The Florida Times-Union|date=April 7, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2012}}

Hatcher made his MLB debut as a pitcher against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 16, 2011 in a Marlins win.{{cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-07-16/sports/fl-chris-hatcher-catcher-pitcher-debu20110716_1_debut-chris-hatcher-logan-morrison|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719082849/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-07-16/sports/fl-chris-hatcher-catcher-pitcher-debu20110716_1_debut-chris-hatcher-logan-morrison|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2011|title=Ex-catcher Hatcher makes second debut as a pitcher|publisher=sun-sentinel.com|date=July 16, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2012|first=Juan C.|last=Rodriguez}} On May 5, 2012, Hatcher, along with Sandy Rosario, was called up by the Marlins.{{cite web|url=http://marlins.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2012/05/05/marlins-recall-chris-hatcher-sandy-rosario-option-petersen-jennings/|title=Marlins recall Chris Hatcher, Sandy Rosario; option Petersen, Jennings|work=Palm Beach Post|first=Joe|last=Capozzi|date=May 5, 2012|access-date=June 3, 2015}} However, only four days later, both Hatcher and Rosario were sent back to the minors.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_baseball_marlins/2012/05/miami-marlins-of-kevin-mattison-lhp-mike-dunn-to-join-club-friday.html|title=Miami Marlins: OF Kevin Mattison, LHP Mike Dunn to join club Friday|work=Miami Sun Sentinel|first=Juan C.|last=Rodriguez|date=May 10, 2012|access-date=June 3, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531122817/http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_baseball_marlins/2012/05/miami-marlins-of-kevin-mattison-lhp-mike-dunn-to-join-club-friday.html|archive-date=May 31, 2012|df=mdy-all}} On June 16, Hatcher was called up again by the Marlins.{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-06-16/sports/os-chris-hatcher-miami-marlins-transactions-0617-20120616_1_sandy-rosario-scott-cousins-marlins-relief-pitcher|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061057/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-06-16/sports/os-chris-hatcher-miami-marlins-transactions-0617-20120616_1_sandy-rosario-scott-cousins-marlins-relief-pitcher|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Marlins promote Chris Hatcher, place Sandy Rosario on DL|work=Miami Sun Sentinel|first=Coley|last=Harvey|date=June 16, 2012|access-date=June 3, 2015}} The next day, he pitched in one inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, his first Major League appearance of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=hatchch02&t=p&year=2012|title=Chris Hatcher 2012 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 3, 2015}} Hatcher was sent down to the minors on June 21, after the Marlins called up Mike Dunn.{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-06-21/sports/fl-mike-dunn-chris-hatcher-marlins-0622-20120621_1_miami-marlins-move-chris-hatcher|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044139/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-06-21/sports/fl-mike-dunn-chris-hatcher-marlins-0622-20120621_1_miami-marlins-move-chris-hatcher|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Marlins bring up Mike Dunn, option Chris Hatcher back to New Orleans|work=Miami Sun Sentinel|first=Coley|last=Harvey|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=June 3, 2015}} He only made two appearances, pitching 2.2 innings, with an ERA of 13.50, and 3 strikeouts, but gave up 4 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, and 2 home runs. He primarily spent 2013 with the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, where he had a 4-3 record and a 3.61 ERA over 60 games.

Hatcher was designated for assignment by the Marlins on February 11, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/marlins-designate-chris-hatcher-for-assignment.html|title=Marlins Designate Chris Hatcher For Assignment|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=February 11, 2014|access-date=June 3, 2015}} He was outrighted to the minors and assigned to New Orleans.{{cite web|url=http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20140223&content_id=68222892¬ebook_id=68222754&c_id=mia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115452/http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20140223&content_id=68222892¬ebook_id=68222754&c_id=mia|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Hatcher understands time to impress is now|work=marlins.com|first=Joe and Marty Noble|last=Frisaro|date=February 23, 2014|access-date=June 3, 2015}} While in the minors, he was involved in a fight with Sam Dyson, a teammate with the Zephyrs, at a Miami bar during which Dyson's jaw was broken. He was later suspended 5 games by the Zephyrs for conduct detrimental to the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/sports/9102356-171/story.html|title=Zephyrs' Chris Hatcher suspended five games after fight|last=Williams|first=Darrell|work=theneworleansadvocate.com|date=May 7, 2014|access-date=May 8, 2014}} He returned to the Marlins on May 23{{cite web|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/fish_bytes/2014/05/marlins-bring-back-chris-hatcher-and-transfer-furcal-to-60-day-dl.html|title=Marlins surprise Chris Hatcher by calling him back up; transfer Furcal to 60-day DL to make room on 40-man|work=Miami Herald|first=Manny|last=Navarro|date=May 22, 2014|access-date=June 3, 2015}} and pitched in a career high 52 games with a 3.38 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=hatchch02&t=p&year=2014|title=Chris Hatcher 2014 pitching gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=December 12, 2014}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On December 10, 2014, Hatcher was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with Andrew Heaney, Austin Barnes, and Enrique Hernández, in exchange for Dan Haren, Dee Gordon, Miguel Rojas and cash.{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/103746900/dodgers-adding-howie-kendrick-jimmy-rollins-in-trades|title=Dodgers adding Kendrick, Rollins in trades|last=Gurnick|first=Ken|work=MLB.com|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=December 11, 2014|archive-date=August 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175622/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/103746900/dodgers-adding-howie-kendrick-jimmy-rollins-in-trades/|url-status=dead}} He was initially seen as a key figure in improving what had been a poor Dodger bullpen the previous season.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2014/12/15/7391753/chris-hatcher-dodgers-bullpen|title=Chris Hatcher a key to improving Dodgers bullpen|work=SB Nation|date=December 15, 2014|first=Eric|last=Stephen|access-date=June 3, 2015}} With Kenley Jansen on the disabled list at the start of the season, Hatcher not only made the opening day roster but was given the first opportunity to be the team's fill-in closer and picked up his first career save on opening day.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20150406/dodgers-hatcher-aces-first-opportunity-in-jansens-closer-role|title=Dodgers' Hatcher aces first opportunity in Jansen's closer role|work=Los Angeles Daily News|first=Clay|last=Fowler|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=June 3, 2015}} However, he struggled in subsequent outings{{cite web|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25174366/dodgers-reliever-chris-hatcher-blows-save-picks-up-loss-monday|title=Dodgers reliever Chris Hatcher blows save, picks up loss Monday|work=CBS Sports|date=May 4, 2015|first=Brandon|last=Wise|access-date=June 3, 2015}} and he was moved into less stressful situations. Regardless, manager Don Mattingly said, "we're not losing faith in him"{{cite web|url=http://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-news-don-mattingly-not-losing-faith-in-chris-hatcher/2015/05/28|title=Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Not Losing Faith In Chris Hatcher|first=Daniel|last=Starkand|date=May 28, 2015|work=Dodgersnation|access-date=June 3, 2015}} despite cause for concern about the release point of his pitches.{{cite web|url=http://dodgersdigest.com/2015/05/29/dodgers-chris-hatcher-release-point-cause-of-struggles/|title=CHRIS HATCHER'S RELEASE POINT CAUSE OF PERCEIVED STRUGGLES|work=Dodgers Digest|first=Dustin|last=Nosler|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=June 3, 2015}} He was placed on the disabled list with a strained oblique, where he remained for two months. When he rejoined the team he regained his form and Mattingly started showing more faith in him.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-report-20151004-story.html|title=Chris Hatcher clears up Dodgers bullpen's setup question|newspaper=LA Times|first=Steve|last=Dilbeck|date=October 3, 2015|access-date=October 5, 2015}} He appeared in 49 games for the Dodgers in 2015, with a 3–5 record and 3.60 ERA and four saves.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2015.shtml|title=2015 Los Angeles Dodgers Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistic|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=October 5, 2015}}

On January 13, 2016, Hatcher and the Dodgers reached agreement on a one-year, $1.065 million, contract to avoid salary arbitration.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dodgers-699801-hatcher-season.html|title=Dodgers reach agreement with reliever Chris Hatcher, add Jordan Schafer|first=Bill|last=Plunkett|work=Orange County Register|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2016}} He pitched in 37 games for the Dodgers in 2016, with a 5–4 record and 5.53 ERA in 40 {{fraction|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=hatchch02&t=p&year=2016|title=Chris Hatcher 2016 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=October 9, 2016}} On July 20, he was placed on the disabled list with an oblique strain and he didn't return.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/20/12242068/chris-hatcher-oblique-injury-disabled-list-dodgers-charlie-culberson|title=Chris Hatcher placed on DL with oblique strain, Dodgers recall Charlie Culberson|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=October 9, 2016}} On December 1, 2016, he signed a one-year, $1.25 million, contract with the Dodgers to avoid arbitration.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/12/1/13809048/scott-van-slyke-chris-hatcher-contract-2017-salary-arbitration-dodgers|title=Dodgers avoid salary arbitration with Scott Van Slyke, Chris Hatcher|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=December 1, 2016|access-date=December 1, 2016}} He appeared in 26 games for the Dodgers with a 4.66 ERA in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hatchch02.shtml|title=Chris Hatcher Statistics & History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=November 17, 2017}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On August 15, 2017, Hatcher was traded to the Oakland Athletics for $500,000 in international bonus money.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/dodgers-trade-chris-hatcher-athletics.html|title=Athletics Acquire Chris Hatcher|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=August 15, 2017|access-date=August 15, 2017|first=Steve|last=Adams}} With the Athletics in 2017, he pitched in 23 games with a 3.52 ERA. In 2018, he pitched to a 4.95 ERA in 34 games. Hatcher declared free agency on October 15, 2018.