Hoby Milner

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Hoby Milner

| image = Phillies vs. Dodgers 2017 21.jpg

| image_size = 240

| caption = Milner with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017

| team = Texas Rangers

| number = 41

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|1|13}}

| birth_place = Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = June 24

| debutyear = 2017

| debutteam = Philadelphia Phillies

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = April 20, 2025

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 11–5

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 3.76

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 273

| teams =

Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2019}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2020}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

}}

Hoby Trey Milner (born January 13, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, and Milwaukee Brewers. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Phillies.

Career

=Amateur career=

Milner attended R. L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He also was the punter and kicker on his high school football team.{{Cite web |title=Hoby Milner Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/hoby-milner-571948 |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 44th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and attended the University of Texas, where he played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns.{{Cite web |title=Hoby Milner - Baseball |url=https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/baseball/roster/hoby-milner/2963 |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=University of Texas Athletics |language=en}}

=Philadelphia Phillies=

After his junior year, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Milner in the seventh round of the 2012 MLB draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/phillies/mc-phillies-rule-5-draft-winter-meetings-1208-20161208-story.html|title=Phillies lose Hoby Milner in Rule 5 draft|first=Stephen|last=Gross|website=mcall.com|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017}} He made his professional debut in 2012 with the Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters, and also played for the Single-A Lakewood BlueClaws, accumulating a 7-3 record and 2.50 ERA between the two teams. He spent the 2013 season with the High-A Clearwater Threshers, recording a 12-7 record and 3.83 ERA in 26 games. He spent the 2014 season in Double-A with the Reading Fightin Phils, pitching to a 10-6 record and 4.21 ERA with 86 strikeouts. He split 2015 between Reading and Clearwater, accumulating a 2-1 record and 3.52 ERA in 30 appearances. In 2016, Milner pitched for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Reading, recording a 5-4 record and 2.49 ERA in 49 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=milner001hob|title=Hoby Milner College, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

Milner was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2016-rule-5-draft-results-c210580878|title=2016 Rule 5 Draft results|website=Major League Baseball|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220142048/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/210580878/2016-rule-5-draft-results/|url-status=live}} The Indians returned Milner to the Phillies on March 24, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Phillies-Hoby-Milner-sidearmer-back-should-reach-majors-in-2017.html|title=Sidearmer Hoby Milner, back with Phillies, should reach majors in 2017|website=philly.com|first1=Matt|last1=Breen|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017}} Milner started 2017 with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and was called up to the Phillies on June 20.{{Cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/article157275319.html|title=Former Fort Worth Paschal star Hoby Milner called up to majors by Phillies|work=star-telegram|access-date=June 23, 2017|language=en|first1=Roger|last1=Pinckney|date=June 20, 2017}} He made his MLB debut on June 24, pitching 1.0 inning and allowing 1 run against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Milner recorded a stellar 2.01 ERA in 37 appearances in 2017. After struggling to a 7.71 ERA in 10 games in 2018, Milner was designated for assignment on July 8.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/phillies-select-trevor-plouffe-dfa-hoby-milner.html|title=Phillies Select Trevor Plouffe, Designate Hoby Milner For Assignment|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On July 14, 2018, the Philadelphia Phillies traded Milner to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations.{{cite news |last1=Zolecki |first1=Todd |title=Phillies send Milner to Rays for cash |url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/phillies-trade-pitcher-hoby-milner-to-rays/c-285877978 |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=MLB.com |date=July 14, 2018}} Milner pitched to a 6.75 ERA in 4 games for the Rays in 2018. He was designated for assignment on November 20.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/rays-to-designate-c-j-cron.html|title=Rays Designate C.J. Cron, Announce Other Roster Moves|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

He opened the 2019 season with the Durham Bulls. On August 20, the Rays selected Milner's contract.{{cite news|author=Marc Topkin|title=With Brendan McKay sent down, what's next for Rays?|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2019/08/20/with-brendan-mckay-sent-down-whats-next-for-rays/|access-date=August 20, 2019|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=August 20, 2019}} Later that day Milner made his season debut going 2 innings allowing 1 run and striking out 1. The next day he was optioned to Triple A Durham to make room for Aaron Slegers who was selected from Triple A Durham.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2019/08/21/rays-vs-mariners-lineups-for-wednesday-seeking-to-avoid-a-sweep/|title=Rays vs. Mariners lineups for Wednesday, seeking to avoid a sweep|author=Marc Topkin|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=August 21, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2019}} On October 31, 2019, Milner was outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/rays-outright-hoby-milner.html|title=Rays Outright Hoby Milner|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On December 9, 2019, Milner signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels that included an invitation to spring training. {{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/minor-mlb-transactions-12919.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/9/2019|last=Byrne|first=Connor|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 9, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019}} His first pitch as an Angel allowed a walkoff grand slam to Matt Olson of the Oakland Athletics on Opening Day 2020.{{cite web |title=Olson's slam wins 2020's 1st extra-inning tilt |url=https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/matt-olson-grand-slam-wins-1st-new-rule-extra-inning-game |website=MLB.com/athletics |access-date=July 25, 2020}} Milner recorded an 8.10 ERA in 19 games in 2020. On December 2, Milner was nontendered by the Angels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/angels-non-tender-hansel-robles-4-others.html|title=Angels Non-Tender Hansel Robles, 4 Others|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On December 17, 2020, Milner signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/brewers-sign-hoby-milner-dylan-cozens.html|title=Brewers Sign Hoby Milner, Dylan Cozens To Minor League Deals|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} On May 15, 2021, Milner was selected to the active roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/brewers-select-hoby-milner-option-eric-lauer.html|title=Brewers Select Hoby Milner, Option Eric Lauer|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} Milner made 19 total appearances for Milwaukee in 2021, logging a 5.40 ERA with 30 strikeouts in {{fraction|21|2|3}} innings pitched.

On April 13, 2022, Milner collected his first career win in a victory over the Baltimore Orioles.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Hoby Milner: Picks up first career win|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-hoby-milner-picks-up-first-career-win/amp/|access-date=February 2, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Milner pitched in a career-high 67 contests for the Brewers in 2022, logging a 3-3 record and 3.76 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 64.2 innings of work.

On January 12, 2023, Milner agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/brewers-avoid-arbitration-with-hoby-milner-victor-caratini.html|title=Brewers Avoid Arbitration With Hoby Milner, Victor Caratini |last=Franco |first=Anthony |work=MLBTradeRumors.com |date=January 12, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023}} He made 73 appearances out of the bullpen for Milwaukee, recording a 1.82 ERA with 59 strikeouts over {{fraction|64|1|3}} innings pitched.

Milner made 61 appearances for the Brewers in 2024, compiling a 5–1 record and 4.73 ERA with 64 strikeouts across {{fraction|64|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=The Milwaukee Brewers have tendered 2025 contracts to six players and non-tendered another|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2024/11/22/milwaukee-brewers-tender-2025-contracts-to-six-of-seven-players-non-tender-hoby-milner/76499008007/|access-date=November 23, 2024|website=jsonline.com|language=en}}

= Texas Rangers =

On December 19, 2024, Milner signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers.{{cite news |title=Rangers add left-handed reliever Hoby Milner on 1-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43080909/rangers-add-left-handed-reliever-hoby-milner-1-year-deal |access-date=December 22, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=December 19, 2024}}

Personal life

Milner is the son of Yvonne Milner and former Blue Jays catcher Brian Milner.{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Ashley |date=August 17, 2014 |title=Milner twirls first complete-game shutout |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-90168124 |publisher=MILB.com}}{{cite news |last1=Breen |first1=Matt |title=Phillies rookie Hoby Milner brings father back to the big leagues |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/philadelphia-phillies-hoby-milner-rookie-pitcher-father-brian-toronto-blue-jays-20170627.html |access-date=July 16, 2018 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=June 27, 2017}} His first name was inspired by a character from Baywatch.

He married Kathryn Milner in 2018. They have two children, Leighton and Augustus.