James Hoyt (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = James Hoyt

| image = James Hoyt in 2017.jpg

| caption = Hoyt with the Houston Astros

| team = Piratas de Campeche

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|9|30}}

| birth_place = Boise, Idaho, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 3

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Houston Astros

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2021 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 4–1

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 3.94

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 135

| teams =

Houston Astros ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2019}})
Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2020}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2021}})

}}

James Allen Hoyt (born September 30, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians, Miami Marlins, and Los Angeles Angels.

Career

=Yuma Scorpions=

After graduating from Boise High School, Hoyt played college baseball at Palomar College before transferring to Centenary College of Louisiana. In 2011, he signed with the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League (NABL) after a tryout with the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-prospect-Hoyt-never-one-to-live-by-a-6108295.php|title=Astros|work=Houston Chronicle|date=March 2015 |access-date=July 6, 2015}} The 2011 Yuma Scorpions included former and future major league players such as Willy Aybar, Chris Britton, Joey Gathright, Luis Ugueto, Tony Phillips, Robby Scott, Franklyn Gracesqui, Ozzie Canseco and Jose Canseco, who served as the team's manager as well as a player for the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=2011 Yuma Scorpions Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

=Edinburg Roadrunners=

After the Scorpions folded, he went on to pitch for the Edinburg Roadrunners of the North Atlantic Baseball League. In 12 games for Edinburg, Hoyt pitched to a 1.04 ERA with 19 strikeouts in {{fraction|17|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hoyt--000jam|title=James Hoyt Independent, Mexican, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

=Wichita Wingnuts/Olmecas de Tabasco=

Hoyt then signed with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association.[https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/high-school/article76266742.html Idaho Statesman] (subscription required) On June 30, 2012, Hoyt signed with the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. In 11 games for Tabasco, Hoyt notched a 2.03 ERA with 20 strikeouts in {{fraction|13|1|3}} innings pitched in 11 games. Hoyt returned to Wichita in August 2012 and finished the season with the club.[https://www.kansas.com/sports/other-sports/wichita-wingnuts/article1097221.html The Wichita Eagle] (subscription required) Pitching for Wichita, Hoyt pitched to a 2.61 ERA with 15 strikeouts in {{fraction|10|1|3}} innings pitched over 11 appearances.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=332239|title=James Hoyt - American Association - player|website=Pointstreak Sports Technologies}}

=Atlanta Braves=

While pitching for Tabasco, Hoyt impressed Atlanta Braves scouts and they signed him to a minor league contract on November 15, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/hillcats/journeyman-hoyt-gives-jolt-to-hillcats-starting-rotation/article_9f097838-b45e-11e2-9903-0019bb30f31a.html|title=Journeyman Hoyt gives jolt to Hillcats' starting rotation|work=NewsAdvance.com|date=May 3, 2013 |access-date=July 6, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-46526780|title=Atlanta Braves farmhand James Hoyt pitches six hitless innings for Lynchburg Hillcats – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=July 6, 2015}}

Hoyt started his career in the Braves organization with the Lynchburg Hillcats of the High–A Carolina League in 2013. He was later promoted to the Mississippi Braves of the Double–A Southern League. Hoyt started 2014 back with Mississippi and in June he was promoted to the Gwinnett Braves of the Triple–A International League.

=Houston Astros=

On January 14, 2015, Hoyt along with Evan Gattis was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for Rio Ruiz, Andrew Thurman, and Mike Foltynewicz.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12167911/evan-gattis-traded-houston-astros-atlanhttps:/www.idahostatesman.com/sports/high-school/article76266742.htmlta-braves|title=Evan Gattis traded to Houston Astros by Atlanta Braves|work=ESPN.com|date=14 January 2015|access-date=July 6, 2015}}

On August 2, 2016, the Astros promoted Hoyt to the major leagues.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-to-call-up-reliever-James-Hoyt-from-Class-9062838.php|title=Astros to call up reliever James Hoyt from Class AAA|first=Jake|last=Kaplan|date=August 2, 2016|website=Chron}}

On March 31, 2017, he was optioned to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.{{Cite web|url=http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2017/4/1/15148380/jandel-gustave-earns-final-roster-post-james-hoyt-optioned|title=Jandel Gustave earns final roster post; James Hoyt optioned|date=2017-04-01|website=The Crawfish Boxes|access-date=2017-04-24}} On April 20, the Astros promoted Hoyt to the major leagues.{{Cite news|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-report-Jandel-Gustave-on-10-day-DL-James-11088206.php|title=Astros report: Jandel Gustave on 10-day DL; James Hoyt recalled|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-04-24}} Hoyt made 32 appearances out of the bullpen for the Astros in 2017, finishing with a 1–0 record and a 4.38 ERA. The Astros finished the season with a 101–61 record for an AL West pennant, and eventually won the 2017 World Series. Hoyt did not participate in the playoff run, but was still on the team's 40-man roster at the time, declaring him eligible for his first career World Series title.{{cite web|last1=McTaggart|first1=Brian|last2=Gurnick|first2=Ken|title=Houston Astros win 2017 World Series|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-beat-dodgers-to-win-first-world-series-c260380704|publisher=MLB|access-date=November 2, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012212/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/260380704/astros-beat-dodgers-to-win-first-world-series/|url-status=live}}

=Cleveland Indians=

On July 6, 2018, Hoyt was traded to the Cleveland Indians for minor league righthanded pitcher Tommy DeJuneas.{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-trade-Jon-Kemmer-James-Hoyt-Yordan-Alvarez-13054293.php?ipid=hpsportsctp|title=Astros trade James Hoyt, Jon Kemmer, promote prospect to AAA|work=Houston Chronicle|date=6 July 2018|access-date=July 6, 2018}}

The Indians declined to tender Hoyt a major league contract for the 2019 season by the November 30, 2018 deadline, making Hoyt a free agent. The Indians re-signed Hoyt to a minor league contract on December 1, 2018.{{cite news |last1=Castrovince |first1=Anthony |title=Thompson among trio Tribe inks to Minors deals |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-sign-trayce-thompson-to-minors-deal/c-301340236 |access-date=December 10, 2018 |work=MLB.com |date=December 1, 2018}} On September 1, 2019, the Indians selected Hoyt's contract. Hoyt was designated for assignment on December 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/indians-james-hoyt-designated-for-assignment/|title=Indians' James Hoyt: Designated for assignment|website=CBSSports.com|author=RotoWire Staff|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019}} On December 4, Hoyt re-signed with Cleveland on a major league contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/indians-james-hoyt-back-with-tribe/|title=Indians' James Hoyt: Back with Tribe|website=CBSSports.com|author=RotoWire Staff|date=December 4, 2019|access-date=December 4, 2019}} The Indians designated Hoyt for assignment on July 28, 2020.

=Miami Marlins=

Hoyt was traded by the Indians to the Miami Marlins on August 1, 2020, in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite news |last1=Zencka |first1=TC |title=Indians Trade James Hoyt To Marlins For Cash |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/08/indians-trade-james-hoyt-to-marlins-for-cash.html |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=August 1, 2020}} In the pandemic shortened season, Hoyt pitched to a 1.23 ERA with 20 strikeouts and only 2 earned runs on 9 hits in {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched across 24 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fishstripes.com/22332396/2021-marlins-season-preview-james-hoyt|title=2021 Marlins Season Preview: James Hoyt|first=Juan|last=Páez|date=March 16, 2021|website=Fish Stripes}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On March 29, 2021, Hoyt was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/angels-acquire-james-hoyt-from-marlins.html|title=Angels Acquire James Hoyt From Marlins|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=March 29, 2021 }} Hoyt registered a 6.75 ERA in 9 appearances with the Angels in 2021. On October 22, Hoyt was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-james-hoyt-removed-from-40-man-roster/ | title=Angels' James Hoyt: Removed from 40-man roster | date=October 22, 2021 }} He elected free agency on November 7.{{cite web|title=2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2021-22-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=March 18, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 9, 2021 |language=en}}

=Lancaster Stormers=

On February 12, 2024, Hoyt signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/leones-revelan-su-lista-de-invitados-al-spring-training-2024 | title=Leones: Revelan su lista de invitados al spring training 2024 }} However, Hoyt did not play for Yucátan and signed with the Lancaster Stormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on April 17.{{Cite web|title=Stormers Add Big League Vet|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/stormers-add-big-league-vet/n-6081325|access-date=April 17, 2024|website=oursportscentral.com|date=April 17, 2024 |language=en}} In 26 appearances for Lancaster, he struggled to a 6.38 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 3 saves across 24 innings pitched. On July 23, Hoyt retired from professional baseball.{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927|access-date=July 24, 2024|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}}

=Piratas de Campeche=

On January 20, 2025, Hoyt came out of retirement and signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 20 de enero de 2025|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-20-de-enero-de-2025|access-date=January 21, 2025|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}}