{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1987)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Jeremy Hazelbaker |image = Jeremy Hazelbaker in a totally normal situation (34004137023) (cropped).jpg |caption = Hazelbaker with the Reno Aces in 2017 |team = |number = |position = Outfielder |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|8|14}} |birth_place = Muncie, Indiana, U.S. |bats = Left |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = April 3 |debutyear = 2016 |debutteam = St. Louis Cardinals |debut2league= KBO |debut2date = March 23 |debut2year = 2019 |debut2team = Kia Tigers |finalleague = MLB |finaldate = October 1 |finalyear = 2017 |finalteam = Arizona Diamondbacks |final2league= KBO |final2date = April 4 |final2year = 2019 |final2team = Kia Tigers |statleague = MLB |stat1label = Batting average |stat1value = .258 |stat2label = Home runs |stat2value = 14 |stat3label = Runs batted in |stat3value = 38 |stat2league = KBO |stat21label = Batting average |stat21value = .146 |stat22label = Home runs |stat22value = 2 |stat23label = Runs batted in |stat23value = 5 |teams = * St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2016}}) * Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2017}}) * Kia Tigers ({{by|2019}}) }} '''Jeremy Philip Hazelbaker''' (born August 14, 1987) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks, and in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers.
==Professional career== ===Boston Red Sox=== Hazelbaker was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2009 MLB draft out of Ball State University.<ref>{{Cite web |title=4th Round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/ |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He opened 2009 with the Low-A Lowell Spinners, before being promoted to the Single-A Greenville Drive (2009–10), High-A Salem Red Sox (2011), Double-A Portland Sea Dogs (2011–12), and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox (2012). He batted a combined .259/.345/.434 line with 49 home runs and 157 stolen bases in 409 games. Hazelbaker returned to Pawtucket in 2013. He posted a .257/.313/3.74 line with 11 home runs and 54 RBI in 121 games, including 62 runs scored, 37 stolen bases, and 26 extra bases.
===Los Angeles Dodgers=== On October 23, 2013, Hazelbaker was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Alex Castellanos. He was assigned to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. In 2014, he was selected for the mid-season Southern League All-Star Game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=2014-06-03 |title=Reed, Schebler, Sweeney among 5 Lookouts All-Stars |url=https://www.truebluela.com/2014/6/3/5777556/chris-reed-scott-schebler-dodgers-southern-league-all-stars |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=True Blue LA|publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}</ref> In 87 games with the Lookouts and another 22 with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, he hit .244. He was assigned to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League to start the 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drillers Opening Roster Taking Shape |url=http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Drillers-Opening-Roster-Taking-Shape.html?soid=1102861738570&aid=Q4uWjn2iOMo |website=Drillers News |accessdate=April 8, 2015}}</ref> He hit .245 in 14 games before being released by the organization on May 1, 2015.
===St. Louis Cardinals=== On May 13, 2015, Hazelbaker signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and was assigned to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Connell |first=Jim |date=May 19, 2015 |title=Hazelbaker eager for fresh start with Cards |work=Springfield News-Leader |url=http://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/baseball/springfield-cardinals/2015/05/20/hazelbaker-eager-fresh-start-cards/27631131/ |accessdate=May 24, 2015}}</ref> In 40 games with Springfield, Hazelbaker batted .308 with 19 extra-base hits.<ref name="nightengale041916">{{Cite news |last=Nightengale |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Nightengale |date=April 19, 2016 |title=Jeremy Hazelbaker's big-league dream comes true with Cardinals |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/bob-nightengale/2016/04/18/mlb-jeremy-hazelbaker-st-louis-cardinals/83184314/ |access-date=July 20, 2016 |work=USA Today}}</ref> The Cardinals then promoted him to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). He was named PCL Player of the Week on July 13, 2015, after leading the league in total bases, extra-base hits, and RBI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Memphis Redbirds |date=July 13, 2015 |title=Jeremy Hazelbaker named PCL Player of the Week |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-136525682 |website=Minor League Baseball |access-date=July 25, 2015}}</ref> At Memphis, he played in 58 games, batting .333 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI.<ref name=nightengale041916/>
====Major League debut (2016)==== On March 31, 2016, the Cardinals announced Hazelbaker had made the major league roster; he played primarily as a backup outfielder and pinch hitter. He made his major league debut on April 3 as a pinch hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates after 751 games in the minor leagues. His hitting performances in the first two weeks of the season thus caught national headlines.<ref name=nightengale041916/> Hazelbaker's first MLB hit was a double on April 5 and the first home run was the next day; both hits were against the Pittsburgh Pirates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |date=April 10, 2016 |title=Hazelbaker continues Opening Week streak: Outfielder's first week in Majors highlighted by historic homer, big RBIs |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-hazelbaker-on-first-week-in-big-leagues-c171607662 |publisher=stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com |access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref>
On April 8, Hazelbaker's second major league home run became part of a unique event in major league history. Playing against the Atlanta Braves, he, Aledmys Díaz, and Greg Garcia established a new MLB record by each hitting a pinch-hit home run, becoming the first trio to hit three pinch-hit home runs in one game for the same team. The previous record of two pinch-hit home runs by the same team in the same game had previously occurred on 57 occasions, most recently in 2011. The Cardinals won this contest, 7–4.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |date=April 9, 2016 |title=In the Cards: Unlikely pinch-hitters make history |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/171302342/hazelbaker-diaz-and-garcia-set-mlb-record |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412131420/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/171302342/hazelbaker-diaz-and-garcia-set-mlb-record |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2016 |website=MLB.com |accessdate=April 9, 2016}}</ref> That home run also gave him two in his first four career games, joining Joe Cunningham (1954) as the only Cardinals to accomplish the feat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |last2=Bowman |first2=Mark |date=April 9, 2016 |title=Diaz's pinch-hit HR blasts Cards over Braves |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/diaz-s-pinch-hit-hr-blasts-cards-over-braves-c171232816 |website=MLB.com |access-date=April 9, 2016 |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421211804/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/171232816/diazs-pinch-hit-hr-blasts-cards-over-braves?game_pk=446924 |url-status=live }}</ref> His first career four-hit game, including his first career triple, came in a 10–1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on April 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |last2=McCalvy |first2=Adam |date=April 11, 2016 |title=Hit parade: Cards crush Crew in home opener |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/171697644/cardinals-defeat-brewers-in-home-opener |publisher=stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com |accessdate=April 11, 2016 |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414184437/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/171697644/cardinals-defeat-brewers-in-home-opener |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the month of April, he batted .317, .357 OBP, .683 SLG, five home runs, and 13 RBI.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fredrickson |first=Ben |date=July 12, 2016 |title=Best Month: Jeremy Hazelbaker |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/best-month-jeremy-hazelbaker/article_49ea9aed-6460-5d2a-b6e2-75dc8608daee.html |accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
The Cardinals optioned Hazelbaker to Memphis on June 15, 2016, after hitting .250 with seven home runs and 19 RBI.<ref name="timmerman071916">{{Cite news |last=Timmerman |first=Tom |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Peralta goes on disabled list; Hazelbaker returns |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/peralta-goes-on-dl-with-thumb-strain-hazelbaker-returns/article_8debca38-1b56-5bfe-895d-8c7bbcf549de.html |accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref> During a game against the New Orleans Zephyrs on June 28, Hazelbaker was instantly ejected when he charged the mound for José Ureña, who had nearly hit him in the head. Hazelbaker also flipped his bat and avoided a left punch from Ureña.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Gara |first=Ryan |date=June 28, 2016 |title=Hazelbaker at center of minor-league brawl |work=The Star Press (Muncie, Indiana) |url=http://www.thestarpress.com/story/sports/2016/06/28/hazelbaker-center-minor-league-brawl/86474108/ |accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref> After playing 13 games for Memphis and batting .325 with one home run and 11 RBI, St. Louis recalled Hazelbaker on July 19, 2016.<ref name=timmerman071916/> He finished his rookie season batting .235/.295/.480 with 12 home runs and 28 RBI.
===Arizona Diamondbacks organization=== On November 4, 2016, the Arizona Diamondbacks claimed Hazelbaker off waivers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hummel |first=Rick |date=November 5, 2016 |title=Hazelbaker, Kiekhefer are claimed on waivers |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/hazelbaker-kiekhefer-are-claimed-on-waivers/article_f07bf1a3-aca1-5187-9a76-9c6dd1902095.html |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref> He split the year between the Triple-A Reno Aces and Arizona, logging a .279/.341/495 slash line in 52 games for Reno. In 41 games for the Diamondbacks, Hazelbaker hit .346/.443/.577 with 2 home runs and 10 RBI. He was assigned to Triple-A Reno to begin the 2018 season. Hazelbaker was designated for assignment on April 6, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=April 6, 2018 |title=Diamondbacks Claim Troy Scribner, Designate Jeremy Hazelbaker |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/diamondbacks-claim-troy-scribner-designate-jeremy-hazelbaker.html |website=mlbtraderumors.com |accessdate=April 6, 2018}}</ref>
===Tampa Bay Rays=== On April 10, 2018, Hazelbaker was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays and optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. In 62 games for Durham, Hazelbaker slashed .210/.293/.397 with 8 home runs and 27 RBI. On July 6, 2018, Hazelbaker was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=July 6, 2018 |title=Rays Designate Jeremy Hazelbaker, Select Adam Kolarek |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/rays-designate-jeremy-hazelbaker-select-adam-kolarek.html |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> He was outrighted to Durham on July 9.
===Minnesota Twins=== On July 19, 2018, Hazelbaker was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=July 19, 2018 |title=Twins Acquire Jeremy Hazelbaker From Rays |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/rays-trade-jeremy-hazelbaker-twins.html |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> He was assigned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, where he batted .188/.310/.365 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI. Hazelbaker elected free agency following the season on November 2.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |date=November 6, 2018 |title=Minor League Free Agents 2018 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/ |website=Baseball America |accessdate=November 12, 2018}}</ref>
===Kia Tigers=== On November 18, 2018, Hazelbaker signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. He was released after batting just .146/.239/.341 with no home runs in 11 games on May 10, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Yoo-Rim |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Kia Tigers to release Hazelbacker, hope to sign Preston Tucker |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3062900 |website=Korea Joongang Daily |accessdate=May 10, 2019}}</ref>
===Sioux City Explorers=== On July 28, 2019, Hazelbaker signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the independent American Association.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2019 |title=Explorers Trade Longtime Outfielder Lang, Add Hazelbaker |url=http://www.xsbaseball.com/news/?article_id=2084 |access-date=July 28, 2019 |website=Sioux City Explorers}}</ref> He played 35 games with Sioux City, slashing .248/.353/.421. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeremy Hazelbaker Minor, Winter, Korean & Independent Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hazelb001jer |access-date=February 20, 2020 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Hazelbaker was released by the team on March 13, 2020.<ref name="a441">{{cite web | title=2020 Transactions | website=American Association of Professional Baseball | date=2023-01-05 | url=https://aabaseball.com/transactions/2020-transactions/ | access-date=2024-08-09}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal bar|Baseball|Indiana|Biography}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons cat}} {{baseballstats|mlb=571757|espn=30654|br=h/hazelje01|fangraphs=9399|brm=hazelb001jer|retro=H/Phazej001}} *{{twitter|jphbaker|Jeremy Hazelbaker}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hazelbaker, Jeremy}}
Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Albuquerque Isotopes players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Category:American expatriate baseball players in South Korea Category:American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players Category:Ball State Cardinals baseball players Category:Baseball players from Indiana Category:Caribes de Anzoátegui players Category:Chattanooga Lookouts players Category:Durham Bulls players Category:Greenville Drive players Category:KBO League outfielders Category:Kia Tigers players Category:Lowell Spinners players Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:Memphis Redbirds players Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players Category:People from Muncie, Indiana Category:Portland Sea Dogs players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:Salem Red Sox players Category:Sioux City Explorers players Category:Springfield Cardinals (Missouri) players Category:St. Louis Cardinals players Category:Tigres de Aragua players Category:Tulsa Drillers players Category:Yaquis de Obregón players