American baseball player (born 1989)
Baseball player
Richard Heath Hembree
(born January 13, 1989), nicknamed
Heater
,
[1]
is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
in the
Seattle Mariners
organization. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 220 pounds (100 kg), Hembree throws and bats right-handed. He made his
Major League Baseball
(MLB) debut with the
San Francisco Giants
in 2013 and has also played for the
Boston Red Sox
,
Philadelphia Phillies
,
Cincinnati Reds
,
New York Mets
,
Pittsburgh Pirates
,
Los Angeles Dodgers
, and
Tampa Bay Rays
.
Early years
[
edit
]
Hembree played baseball and
high school football
at
Broome High School
in his hometown of
Spartanburg, South Carolina
. He was a standout
pitcher
and
quarterback
for Broome, but did not pitch as a senior in 2007, due to a knee injury suffered playing football. Instead, Hembree was a
designated hitter
his senior season; he had a .320
batting average
.
[2]
Amateur career
[
edit
]
Hembree initially attended the
University of South Carolina
, but only had one pitching appearance his entire freshman season in 2008. He then transferred to
Spartanburg Methodist College
, a
junior college
that is part of the
National Junior College Athletic Association
. As a transfer sophomore, he went 7?0 with a 1.22
earned run average
(ERA). After receiving a scholarship to the
College of Charleston
, an
NCAA Division I
school, Hembree transferred there, where he spent his final season of college baseball.
[3]
He also pursued a degree in physical education.
Professional career
[
edit
]
San Francisco Giants
[
edit
]
Hembree was drafted in the fifth round of the
2010 MLB draft
by the San Francisco Giants.
- 2010
Hembree began his professional career in 2010, pitching for the rookie league
Arizona League Giants
and going 0?0 with a 0.82 ERA over 12 relief appearances, with 22 strikeouts and 3
saves
in 11 innings pitched.
- 2011
Hembree began the 2011 season pitching for the
High?A
San Jose Giants
, and was promoted to the
Double-A
Richmond Flying Squirrels
in late June. He went a combined 1?1 with a 1.86 ERA over 54 relief appearances, with 78 strikeouts and 38 saves in
53
+
1
⁄
3
innings.
- 2012
During 2012, Hembree pitched for the San Jose Giants (5 games) and the
Triple-A
Fresno Grizzlies
(39 games). Overall, he had a 4.19 ERA with 1?1 record, 15 saves, and 43 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.
- 2013
Hembree with the San Francisco Giants in 2013
Hembree spent most of 2013 with Triple-A Fresno, where he appeared in 54 games, compiling a 4.07 ERA with 1?4 record, 31 saves, and 63 strikeouts is
55
+
1
⁄
3
innings pitched.
Late in the season, Hembree was called up to the majors for the first time on September 3.
[4]
He made his MLB debut that day, pitching a scoreless eighth inning in a 3?2 loss to the
San Diego Padres
.
[5]
Hembree appeared in a total of nine MLB games for the
2013 Giants
during September, giving up no runs in
7
+
2
⁄
3
innings pitched with 12 strikeouts.
- 2014
Hembree started the 2014 season with Triple-A Fresno, where he registered 18 saves in 41 appearances, with 3.89 ERA, 1?3 record, and 46 strikeouts in
39
+
1
⁄
3
innings pitched.
Boston Red Sox
[
edit
]
Hembree was traded to the Boston Red Sox, along with
Edwin Escobar
, for
Jake Peavy
on July 26, 2014.
[6]
- 2014
Hembree made his Red Sox debut on August 9, wearing uniform number 38 and pitching four innings of scoreless relief in a 19-inning loss to the
Los Angeles Angels
; he gave up two hits, two
walks
, and struck out two.
[7]
Due to the Red Sox signing
Cuban
outfielder
Rusney Castillo
on August 23, and guaranteeing Castillo the uniform number he wore in Cuba, which was 38, Hembree switched his uniform number to 37.
For the remainder of the season, Hembree split time between Boston and the Triple-A
Pawtucket Red Sox
. With Pawtucket, he made seven appearances with 2.70 ERA with nine strikeouts in
6
+
2
⁄
3
innings pitched, compiling an 0?1 record with two
saves
. He made a total of six MLB appearances for the
2014 Red Sox
, striking out six in ten innings pitched, with a 4.50 ERA.
- 2015
Hembree at a
USO
show in Germany in 2015
Hembree spent parts of 2015 with both Boston and Pawtucket. In Triple-A, he made 29 appearances, compiling an 0?5 record with 8 saves and 2.27 ERA, while striking out 32 in
31
+
2
⁄
3
innings pitched. With the
2015 Red Sox
, he made 22 MLB appearances, striking out 15 in
25
+
1
⁄
3
innings pitched, while compiling a 3.55 ERA and 2?0 record.
- 2016
Hembree again split time between Boston and Pawtucket during 2016. He made 13 Triple-A appearances, registering 8 saves with 0.68 ERA and 22 strikeouts in
13
+
1
⁄
3
innings pitched. In 38 MLB appearances with the
2016 Red Sox
, he compiled a 4?1 record with 2.65 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched.
- 2017
With the
2017 Red Sox
for the entire season, Hembree made 62 appearances, striking out 70 in 62 innings pitched, with a 3.63 ERA and 2?3 record.
- 2018
Hembree started the season as a member of the
2018 Red Sox
, in his usual role as a member of Boston's bullpen. He finished 4?1 with a 4.10 ERA in 67 appearances, striking out 76 batters in 60 innings. Hembree was initially not included on Boston's postseason roster,
[8]
but was added for the
ALDS
and beyond due to an injury to
Steven Wright
.
[9]
Hembree made four appearances in the postseason, allowing no earned runs in
4
+
2
⁄
3
innings, as Boston won the
World Series
over the
Los Angeles Dodgers
.
[10]
- 2019
Hembree was included on Boston's
Opening Day
roster to start the 2019 season.
[11]
He recorded his first MLB save on May 8, closing out an
extra innings
win over the
Baltimore Orioles
.
[12]
[13]
Hembree was added to the
injured list
on June 14, retroactive to June 11, with a right elbow extensor strain;
[14]
[15]
he returned to the team's active roster on July 4.
[16]
[17]
He was again placed on the injured list on August 2, with right lateral elbow inflammation,
[18]
[19]
and was activated on September 23.
[20]
For the season with Boston, Hembree appeared in 45 games, recording a 3.86 ERA with 1?0 record and two saves, while striking out 46 in
39
+
2
⁄
3
innings.
- 2020
Hembree made 11 appearances with Boston during the start-delayed 2020 season, registering two wins and a 5.59 ERA.
Philadelphia Phillies
[
edit
]
On August 21, 2020, Hembree was traded to the
Philadelphia Phillies
along with
Brandon Workman
and cash for
Nick Pivetta
and
Connor Seabold
.
[21]
On August 23, 2020, Hembree made his Phillies debut.
[22]
In 2020, with the two teams combined, Hembree was 3?0 with a 9.00 ERA.
[23]
He gave up the highest percentage of barrels per plate appearance of any major league pitcher, at 13.3%.
[24]
He was outrighted to the Triple?A
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
on October 27, 2020, and elected free agency on October 30.
Cleveland Indians
[
edit
]
On February 5, 2021, Hembree signed a minor league contract with the
Cleveland Indians
organization with an invitation to the Indians' major league spring training camp.
[25]
On March 20, 2021, Hembree was released by the Indians.
[26]
Cincinnati Reds
[
edit
]
On March 22, 2021, Hembree signed a minor league contract with the
Cincinnati Reds
organization that included an invitation to spring training.
[27]
On April 23, 2021, Hembree was selected to the active roster.
[28]
In 45 games for the Reds, Hembree struggled to 6.38 ERA with 68 strikeouts. On August 17, Hembree was designated for assignment by the Reds.
[29]
New York Mets
[
edit
]
On August 20, 2021, Hembree was claimed off of waivers by the
New York Mets
.
[30]
In 15 appearances for the Mets, Hembree pitched to a 3.45 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 1 save in 15.2 innings of work.
[31]
He became a free agent following the season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
[
edit
]
On March 15, 2022, Hembree signed a one-year contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates
.
[32]
He made 20 appearances for Pittsburgh, posting a 2-0 record and 7.16 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 16.1 innings pitched. On June 22, Hembree was designated for assignment by the Pirates. He was released on June 27.
[33]
Los Angeles Dodgers
[
edit
]
On June 30, 2022, Hembree signed a minor league deal with the
Los Angeles Dodgers
. After beginning with Triple-A
Oklahoma City Dodgers
, he was called up to the majors on August 30.
[34]
He pitched in six games for the Dodgers, allowing five earned runs in
5
+
2
⁄
3
innings before he was designated for assignment on September 13.
[35]
On September 16, Hembree elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment.
[36]
Tampa Bay Rays
[
edit
]
On January 18, 2023, Hembree signed a minor league contract with the
Tampa Bay Rays
organization.
[37]
He was assigned to the Triple-A
Durham Bulls
to begin the year, where he posted a 3-1 record and 1.29 ERA across 8 relief appearances. On April 25, Hembree had his contract selected to the active roster.
[38]
That night, Hembree threw 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, punching out two hitters while walking one. He was designated for assignment the following day after the promotion of
Zack Burdi
.
[39]
He elected free agency on April 28.
[40]
Detroit Tigers
[
edit
]
On May 1, 2023, Hembree signed a minor league contract with the
Detroit Tigers
organization.
[41]
He made 6 appearances for the Triple?A
Toledo Mud Hens
before suffering a forearm injury. On July 2, Hembree was released by the Tigers.
[42]
Seattle Mariners
[
edit
]
On February 2, 2024, Hembree signed a minor league contract with the
Seattle Mariners
.
[43]
Personal life
[
edit
]
Hembree and his wife Maci were married in 2017, they have two children.
[44]
[45]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Mastrodonato, Jason (February 16, 2019).
"Red Sox closer battle: Heath Hembree aims for late-inning role"
.
Boston Herald
. Retrieved
June 15,
2019
.
- ^
"Heath Hembree"
.
GamecocksOnline.com
. 2008. Archived from
the original
on 2015-09-09
. Retrieved
2015-09-16
.
- ^
Miller, Andrew (September 2, 2013).
"Former Cougar pitcher Hembree called up by Giants"
.
The Post and Courier
.
Charleston, South Carolina
.
- ^
Connolly, Matt (September 3, 2013).
"San Francisco Giants call up Hembree to major league"
.
goupstate.com
.
- ^
"San Diego Padres 3, San Francisco Giants 2"
.
Retrosheet
. September 3, 2013
. Retrieved
April 28,
2018
.
- ^
Short, D. J. (July 26, 2014).
"Giants acquire Jake Peavy from Red Sox"
.
NBC Sports
.
- ^
"Anaheim Angels 5, Boston Red Sox 4"
.
Retrosheet
. August 9, 2014
. Retrieved
April 28,
2018
.
- ^
Miller, Randy (October 5, 2018).
"MLB playoffs 2018: Boston Red Sox set 25-man roster for ALDS vs. New York Yankees"
.
NJ.com
. Retrieved
October 5,
2018
.
- ^
Randall, Dakota (October 6, 2018).
"Red Sox Replace Injured Steven Wright With Heath Hembree On ALDS Roster"
.
NESN
. Retrieved
October 6,
2018
.
- ^
"Boston Red Sox win 2018 World Series"
. MLB
. Retrieved
October 29,
2018
.
- ^
Cole, Mike (March 28, 2019).
"Red Sox Opening Day Roster: Boston's 25-Player Group Officially Set"
.
NESN
. Retrieved
March 28,
2019
.
- ^
Cotillo, Chris (May 8, 2019).
"Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. save Chris Sale's brilliant effort as Boston Red Sox get back to .500 with 2?1 win"
.
The Republican
. Retrieved
May 8,
2019
.
- ^
"Benintendi's homer in 12th lifts Red Sox over Orioles 2?1"
.
ESPN
. Associated Press. May 8, 2019
. Retrieved
May 8,
2019
.
- ^
"Red Sox reliever Hembree placed on IL with elbow strain"
.
Associated Press
. June 14, 2019
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
Alternative URL
- ^
Mastrodonato, Jason (June 14, 2019).
"Red Sox notes: Heath Hembree to injured list, Cora likes Chris Sale's velocity"
.
Boston Herald
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
- ^
Silverman, Michael (July 4, 2019).
"Andrew Benintendi's production way off"
.
Boston Herald
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
- ^
"Red Sox reinstate P Hembree (elbow) from IL"
. ESPN. July 4, 2019
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
- ^
Speier, Alex (August 2, 2019).
"Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree placed on injured list"
.
Boston Globe
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
Alternative URL
- ^
Cotillo, Chris (August 2, 2019).
"Heath Hembree injury: Boston Red Sox reliever placed on injured list (elbow); righty Josh Smith called up"
.
The Republican
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
- ^
Cotillo, Chris (September 23, 2019).
"Boston Red Sox activate Heath Hembree from injured list"
.
The Republican
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
- ^
"Phils acquire relievers Workman, Hembree"
.
MLB.com
. August 21, 2020
. Retrieved
August 21,
2020
.
- ^
Todd Zolecki (August 23, 2020).
"Phillies end slide with Knapp's swift tag"
.
MLB.com
. Retrieved
August 24,
2020
.
- ^
"Heath Hembree Stats"
.
Baseball-Reference.com
.
- ^
"Statcast Leaderboard"
.
baseballsavant.com
.
- ^
"Indians to Sign Bryan Shaw, Heath Hembree to Minors Deals"
.
- ^
"Heath Hembree: Heads to free agency"
.
- ^
"Reds, Heath Hembree Agree to Minor League Deal"
.
- ^
"Reds Select Heath Hembree"
.
- ^
"Reds Designate Heath Hembree for Assignment"
.
- ^
"Mets Claim Heath Hembree, Move Jacob deGrom to 60-Day IL"
.
- ^
"Mike's Mets Player Review Series: Heath Hembree"
.
thesportsdaily.com
. Retrieved
2023-05-12
.
- ^
"Pirates sign 1B Vogelbach, RHP Hembree to 1-year contracts"
.
MLB.com
.
- ^
"Heath Hembree: Cuts ties with Pittsburgh"
.
cbssports.com
. Retrieved
2023-03-23
.
- ^
Stephen, Eric (August 30, 2022).
"Dodgers add Jake Reed & Heath Hembree to bullpen for Mets series"
.
SB Nation
. Retrieved
August 30,
2022
.
- ^
Stephen, Eric (September 13, 2022).
"Dodgers activate Tommy Kahnle from injured list after missing 4 months"
.
SB Nation
. Retrieved
September 13,
2022
.
- ^
"Heath Hembree: Elects free agency"
.
cbssports.com
. Retrieved
June 20,
2023
.
- ^
"Rays' Heath Hembree: Reaches MiLB deal with Tampa Bay"
.
cbssports.com
. Retrieved
2023-01-18
.
- ^
"Rays' Heath Hembree: Added to roster"
.
CBSSports.com
.
- ^
"Rays' Heath Hembree: Designated for assignment"
.
cbssports.com
. Retrieved
2023-04-26
.
- ^
"Heath Hembree: Elects free agency"
.
cbssports.com
. Retrieved
2023-04-28
.
- ^
"Tigers' Heath Hembree: Lands with Detroit"
.
- ^
"Heath Hembree: Released by Detroit"
.
cbssports.com
. Retrieved
July 2,
2023
.
- ^
https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-02-02
- ^
"heathhembree"
.
Instagram
. December 31, 2017. Archived from
the original
on 2021-12-24
. Retrieved
April 28,
2018
.
- ^
"marcihembree"
.
Instagram
. Retrieved
June 4,
2019
.
External links
[
edit
]