{{short description|American baseball player (born 1988)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Chris Heston | image = Chris Heston pitching in 2016 Spring Training.jpg | caption = Heston with the San Francisco Giants in 2016 | width = 250 | team = | number = | position = Pitcher | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|4|10}} | birth_place = Palm Bay, Florida, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right |debutleague = MLB | debutdate = September 13 | debutyear = 2014 | debutteam = San Francisco Giants | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = June 11 | finalyear = 2017 | finalteam = Minnesota Twins |statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 13–13 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 4.55 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 151 | teams = * San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2016}}) * Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2017}}) * Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2017}}) | highlights = * Pitched a no-hitter on June 9, {{mlby|2015}} }} '''Christopher Lee Heston''' (born April 10, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played college baseball for East Carolina University and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins. On June 9, 2015, he threw the 17th no-hitter in Giants franchise history.
==Early life== Heston graduated from Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/sports/2015/04/09/baysides-heston-enjoys-giant-night-major-leagues/25544283/ |title=Bayside's Heston enjoys Giant night in major leagues |date=April 9, 2015 |first=Michael |last=Parsons |work=Florida Today}}</ref> He played college baseball for two years at Seminole Community College.
==Professional career== ===Drafts and minor leagues=== He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 47th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign with the team.<ref name="unlikely">{{cite web |url=http://moresplashhits.mlblogs.com/2015/04/09/chris-hestons-unlikely-road-to-san-francisco-giants-rotation-leads-to-victory/ |title=Chris Heston's unlikely road to San Francisco Giants' rotation leads to victory |date=April 9, 2015 |publisher=More Splash Hits (MLB Advanced Media)}}</ref> In 2008 the Washington Nationals drafted Heston in the 29th round, but he again did not sign and attended East Carolina University.<ref name="unlikely"/> He was then drafted a third time, by the San Francisco Giants in the 12th round in 2009, and signed.<ref name="unlikely"/> Heston's professional career got off to a rocky start with a 1–5 record and 4.11 ERA in the rookie Arizona League in 2009. In 2010, he finished 5–13 with a 3.75 ERA with the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets. With the Class A-Advanced San Jose Giants in 2011, he improved to 12–4 with a 3.16 ERA and 131 strikeouts. With the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels in 2012, he finished 9–8 with a 2.24 ERA, the second-lowest ERA in Flying Squirrels' franchise history.<ref name="unlikely"/><ref name="macklin2015"/> He earned a spot in the Eastern League All-Star Game and was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year.<ref name="unlikely"/><ref name="macklin2015">{{cite news |url=http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/142335890/chris-heston-proving-himself-among-veterans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813114928/http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/142335890/chris-heston-proving-himself-among-veterans |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |title=Heston succeeding despite rocky road to bigs |first=Oliver |last=Macklin |date=August 10, 2015 |work=MLB.com}}</ref>
Heston was added to the Giants' 40-man roster on November 20, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/40386322/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228103604/http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/40386322/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 28, 2014 |title=Giants put Heston, four others on 40-man roster |date=November 20, 2012 |first=Chris |last=Haft |work=MLB.com}}</ref> He was optioned to AAA Fresno on March 2, 2013, and struggled to a 7–6 record and 5.80 ERA. He was designated for assignment on July 13 to clear a roster spot for Jeff Francoeur and released on July 21.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/07/giants-designate-chris-heston-for-assignment.html |title=Chris Heston Becomes A Free Agent |first=Jeff |last=Todd |date=July 23, 2013 |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> He was re-signed by the Giants to a minor league contract on July 24.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/07/minor-moves-valaika-heston-pauley.html |title=Minor Moves: Catricala, Taveras, Valaika, Heston |first=Tim |last=Dierkes |date=July 25, 2013 |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/downloads/y2014/2014_SF_Giants_Media_Guide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427142830/http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/downloads/y2014/2014_SF_Giants_Media_Guide.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |title=San Francisco Giants 2014 Media Guide |page=120 |date=2014 |publisher=San Francisco Giants}}</ref> In 2014, Heston improved to 12–9 with a 3.38 ERA in Fresno and was re-added to the 40-man roster in September 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2014/09/01/giants-add-gary-brown-brett-bochy-chris-heston-erik-cordier-adam-duvall/ |title=Giants add Gary Brown, Brett Bochy, Chris Heston, Erik Cordier and Adam Duvall |date=September 1, 2014 |first=Alex |last=Pavlovic |publisher=Bay Area News Group}}</ref>
===San Francisco Giants (2014–2016)=== ====2014==== Heston made his Major League debut with the San Francisco Giants on September 13, 2014, in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers where he pitched a scoreless inning. He eventually appeared in three games, including one start, and pitched five and one-third innings with a 5.06 ERA. The Giants clinched a wild card spot with an 88–74 record and eventually won the 2014 World Series, their third championship in five seasons. Heston did not participate in any postseason activity but received his first championship ring for his regular season contributions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/giants/ci_27944348/san-francisco-giants-chris-heston-supplies-bling-world |title=San Francisco Giants' Chris Heston supplies the bling on World Series ring day |first=Andrew |last=Baggarly |date=April 18, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News}}</ref>
====2015==== [[File:Chris Heston at the White House in 2015.jpg|80px|thumb|Heston at the White House in 2015]] Heston was slated to start the 2015 season in AAA Sacramento, but was called up on April 7 to replace the injured Matt Cain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/san-francisco-giants-matt-cain-goes-on-disabled-list-jake-peavy-could-follow/c-116872726 |title=Cain goes on disabled list; Peavy could follow |date=April 7, 2015 |first=Chris |last=Haft |work=MLB.com |access-date=April 20, 2015 |archive-date=July 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706011649/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/116872726/san-francisco-giants-matt-cain-goes-on-disabled-list-jake-peavy-could-follow |url-status=live }}</ref> He got his first MLB win in his second start for the Giants on April 8, 2015, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5–2 and throwing 6 innings. Heston gave up two runs, neither earned, but had five strikeouts gaining the win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20150408117070828?game_pk=413682 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412091421/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20150408117070828?game_pk=413682 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2015 |title=Giants top D-backs to give Heston first win |first1=Steve |last1=Gilbert |first2=Chris |last2=Haft |date=April 8, 2015 |work=MLB.com}}</ref> On May 12, 2015, Heston pitched a complete game against the Houston Astros, allowing only two hits and one run, with 10 strikeouts and no walks.<ref name="2015-05-12">{{cite news |url=http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/124078364/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516011517/http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/124078364 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2015 |title=Heston dominates with 10 K's in CG vs. Astros |first=Chris |last=Haft |date=May 12, 2015 |work=MLB.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/05/12/extra-baggs-chris-heston-joins-a-list-of-all-aces-no-jokers-matt-duffy-is-great-at-no-8-hunter-pence-hits-a-vegas-jackpot/ |title=Extra Baggs: Chris Heston joins a list of all aces, no jokers; Matt Duffy is great at No.8; Hunter Pence hits a Vegas jackpot |first=Andrew |last=Baggarly |date=May 12, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News}}</ref> Heston was the first Giants rookie to throw a complete game with at least 10 strikeouts since Roger Mason on October 4, 1985, and the first Giants rookie with double-digit strikeouts since Tim Lincecum on July 1, 2007.<ref name="2015-05-12"/>
On June 9, 2015, Heston no-hit the New York Mets 5–0 at Citi Field, becoming the 22nd rookie pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in a major-league regular-season game. He struck out 11 and walked none; the only 3 runners to reach base were hit by a pitch.<ref name=espn>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=350609121|title=Chris Heston throws no-hitter, strikes out 11 Mets for fourth Giants no-no in four years, and the 17th overall in team history.|date=10 June 2015|access-date=10 June 2015|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Heston closed his no-hitter with three strikeouts in the 9th inning, a feat last accomplished by Sandy Koufax in his perfect game in 1965 against the Chicago Cubs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/13047993/chris-heston-san-francisco-giants-no-hitter-going-new-york-mets |title=Giants RHP Chris Heston throws no-hitter against Mets|publisher=ESPN|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=June 9, 2015}}</ref> He also became the first pitcher to no-hit the Mets in a Mets' home game since Pittsburgh's Bob Moose no-hit them at Shea Stadium in 1969. Heston's three hit by pitch batters in his no-hitter were the most since 1914, and has Heston as the fourth MLB pitcher since 1914 to have all of his base runners in his no-hitters be batters hit by a pitch.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jaffe|first=Jay|title=With no-hitter, rookie Chris Heston delivers latest Giants pitching gem|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=June 9, 2015 |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/06/10/chris-heston-no-hitter-giants-rookie-mets|access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> In the same game, Heston logged his first career RBIs with a two-run single.<ref name=espn/> For his efforts, Heston was honored with his first career National League Player of the Week Award as well as the key to the city by the mayor of Palm Bay, Florida.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://spacecoastdaily.com/2015/07/palm-bay-mayor-presents-key-to-city-to-hometown-sports-giant-chris-heston/ |title=Palm Bay Mayor Presents Key To City To Hometown Sports 'Giant' Chris Heston |date=July 2, 2015 |first=Yvonne |last=Martinez |publisher=SpaceCoastDaily.com}}</ref>
On July 23, 2015, Heston carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres, ultimately allowing only one hit and no runs in 7{{frac|1|3}} innings pitched. The 9–3 victory over the Padres was Heston's 10th win, making him the first Giants rookie to reach 10 wins since Matt Cain in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Heston-homers-hoist-Giants-to-big-win-6398543.php |title=Heston, homers hoist Giants to big win |date=July 22, 2015 |first=Henry |last=Schulman |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>
Heston was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on August 21, 2015, to make room for recently acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd. Later on August 28, 2015, he was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento since Matt Cain was placed on the disabled list.<ref>{{cite tweet |date=August 28, 2015 |user=SFGiants |number=637399319054716930 |title=Matt Cain placed on 15-day DL with elbow nerve irritation. Chris Heston recalled from triple-A and will start Sunday vs. STL. #SFGiants}}</ref> Heston finished the season with a 12–11 record, 3.95 ERA, and 141 strikeouts in 177{{frac|2|3}} innings pitched. In 2015 he shared the major league lead in hit batsmen, with 13.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/player/_/view/pitching 2016 MLB Baseball Pitching Statistics and League Leaders – Major League Baseball – ESPN<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
====2016==== Heston started the 2016 season in the Giants' bullpen.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/giants-set-2016-opening-day-roster-170247626 |title=Giants set 2016 Opening Day roster |date=April 2, 2016 |work=San Francisco Giants}}</ref> He was optioned down to Triple-A after four appearances, and spent the rest of the season in the minors or on the disabled list.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/other-sports/river-cats/article77572882.html |title=For Giants prospect Chris Heston, different season, different results |first=Matt |last=Kawahara |date=May 13, 2016 |work=The Sacramento Bee}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/giants-on-verge-of-trading-chris-heston.html |title=Giants Trade Chris Heston To Mariners |first=Charlie |last=Wilmoth |date=December 7, 2016 |work=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref>
===Seattle Mariners (2017)=== On December 7, 2016, Heston was traded to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/mariners-acquire-rhp-chris-heston-from-giants-8fded9f4c213#.xrgb9xds6|title=Mariners Acquire RHP Chris Heston from Giants.|work=marinersblog.mlblogs.com|date=December 7, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
===Los Angeles Dodgers=== On May 26, 2017, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/05/dodgers-claim-mike-freeman-chris-heston.html|title=Dodgers Claim Mike Freeman, Chris Heston|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=May 26, 2017|access-date=May 26, 2017}}</ref>
===Minnesota Twins (2017)=== On June 7, 2017, Heston was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.startribune.com/twins-add-reliever-chris-heston-release-nick-tepesch/427098281/|title=Twins add reliever Chris Heston, release Nick Tepesch|first=Phil|last=Miller|work=Star Tribune|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=June 7, 2017}}</ref> He was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A on June 16, when they purchased the contract of Adam Wilk. In 8 games (6 starts) for Rochester, Heston struggled to an 0–3 record and 10.00 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 27 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=April 26, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}</ref>
===San Francisco Giants=== On January 24, 2018, Heston signed a minor league contract to return to the San Francisco Giants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giants sign Chris Heston to minor-league deal|url=https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2018/1/24/16929058/giants-sign-chris-heston|author=Brisbee, Grant|date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> He was released by the organization on July 27, 2018.
==Personal life== Heston is currently a real estate agent in Melbourne, Florida.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christopher Heston EXP Realty LLC |url=https://www.remax.com/real-estate-agents/christopher-heston-merritt-island-fl/102292894 |accessdate=January 15, 2024 |website=Remax.com |publisher=Remax Realty LLC}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=518790|espn=32611|br=h/hestoch01|fangraphs=10302|brm=heston001chr}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130329131619/http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/heston_chris00.html East Carolina Pirates bio] *{{Twitter}} :
{{s-start}} {{s-ach|ach}} {{Succession box | title = No-hitter pitcher | years = June 9, 2015 | before = Jordan Zimmermann | after = Max Scherzer}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heston, Chris}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Sanford, Florida Category:People from Palm Bay, Florida Category:Baseball players from Brevard County, Florida Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:San Francisco Giants players Category:Seattle Mariners players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:Seminole State Raiders baseball players Category:East Carolina Pirates baseball players Category:Arizona League Giants players Category:Augusta GreenJackets players Category:San Jose Giants players Category:Richmond Flying Squirrels players Category:Fresno Grizzlies players Category:Sacramento River Cats players Category:Tacoma Rainiers players Category:Oklahoma City Dodgers players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:Baseball players from Seminole County, Florida