Position: RHP
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 09/29/1994
College: Oklahoma State University
Drafted: Drafted 3rd round, 104th Overall, 2016 (Cubs)
How Acquired: Waiver Claim (from Blue Jays)
Bonus: $573,900
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 0
Overview
When the Cubs drafted him in the third round in 2016, Hatch was regarded as a low-floor pick who had a good chance of ending up as a back-of-the-rotation starter or a middle reliever in the majors. He spent most of his time as a starter in the minors, but since reaching the majors with Toronto in 2020, he’s been primarily a reliever. His fastball averages about 95 mph, but it’s a pretty hittable pitch that he only throws a little over a third of the time. He throws a lot of sliders or cutters, depending on the source, and changeups. According to Statcast, the cutter/slider was by far his best pitch in 2023, while the change was in 2022. Hatch appeared in the majors every year from 2020-23, but always only briefly. The Pirates acquired him via a waiver claim.
2017-19
Hatch didn’t pitch after signing in 2016, then spent his first pro season in high class A before moving up to AA in 2018. He was just solid rather than good in 2017, then pitched a little better in 2018, but the Cubs sent him back to AA in 2019 anyway. At the trade deadline, the Cubs sent him to Toronto and the Blue Jays kept him in AA. He didn’t put up impressive numbers at any point and actually slipped a bit in 2019. He did consistently make Baseball America’s top 30 prospect lists, with a high of eighth with the Cubs in 2018. Toronto added him to the 40-man roster in 2019.
2020-23
Toronto sent Hatch to its alternate site in 2020 and he ultimately spent the truncated season with the Jays, pitching in relief except for one start. He was fairly effective except for some control problems. From 2021-23, though, Hatch wasn’t able to establish himself in the majors. He threw just 14 innings for the Jays in 2021-22, spending most of his time as a starter in AAA. He put up only passable numbers there. In 2023, Hatch made six relief appearances for the Jays. He again spent most of his time in AAA, this time pitching mainly in relief. He still put up only passable numbers. The Jays put him on waivers in early August and the Pirates claimed him. He spent the rest of the season in the majors, except the Pirates optioned him at the very end of the season. He was solid without being especially good with the Pirates, posting a 4.03 ERA and 4.75 xFIP. His control was good, but he had a very low 6.4 K/9.
Hatch won’t have any options left after 2023.
Stats
Transactions
June 8, 2013: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 32nd round, 949th overall pick.
June 10, 2016: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 3rd round, 104th overall pick; signed July 8.
July 30, 2019: Traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for David Phelps.
November 20, 2019: Contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays.
August 6, 2023: Claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays by the Pittsburgh Pirates.