Thomas Hatch

John Thomas Hatch Bio

John Thomas Hatch is an American professional baseball pitcher who most recently played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins during the 2025 season. The right-handed pitcher has competed for several organizations throughout his professional career, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins in MLB, as well as the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Hatch was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft and made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2020.

Early Life and Background

John Thomas Hatch was born on September 29, 1994, in Jenks, Oklahoma. He attended Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, where he developed his skills as a baseball pitcher. During his junior year of high school, Hatch posted an impressive win-loss record of 7-2 with a 1.60 earned run average (ERA), demonstrating his potential as a future professional pitcher.

Following high school graduation, Hatch enrolled at Oklahoma State University, where he pitched for the Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball team while pursuing a degree in accounting. His collegiate career was interrupted in 2015 when he suffered a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, though he did not require surgery to address the injury. Hatch returned to form in 2016, his junior year, delivering an outstanding performance that propelled him onto the national stage.

Path to Professional Baseball

The 2016 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Hatch at Oklahoma State. In 19 starts, he compiled a remarkable 9-3 record with a 2.14 ERA, helping lead the Cowboys to the 2016 College World Series. His dominant performances throughout the season earned him the Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award, solidifying his reputation as one of the top collegiate pitchers in the country. During the summer of 2014, Hatch also gained valuable experience by playing collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Despite his success in college, Hatch went undrafted out of high school in the 2013 MLB Draft. His performance at Oklahoma State, however, changed that trajectory. The Chicago Cubs selected Hatch in the third round with the 104th overall pick of the 2016 MLB Draft. He signed with the organization shortly after being drafted, receiving a $573,900 signing bonus.

John Thomas Hatch Career

Chicago Cubs Organization (2016–2019)

Hatch did not pitch in 2016 after signing with the Cubs due to the timing of his selection. He made his professional debut in 2017 with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. In his first professional season, Hatch appeared in 26 starts and posted a 5-11 record with a 4.04 ERA, gaining valuable experience against professional hitters.

The 2018 season saw Hatch advance to the Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League. He delivered a strong campaign, compiling an 8-6 record with a 3.82 ERA in 26 starts. His performance earned him Southern League All-Star honors, highlighting his status as one of the top prospects in the Cubs organization. Hatch returned to Tennessee to begin the 2019 season, continuing his development within the minor league system.

Toronto Blue Jays Era (2019–2023)

On July 30, 2019, the Cubs traded Hatch to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for David Phelps. He was assigned to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, where he finished the 2019 season. Across 27 total starts between Tennessee and New Hampshire that year, Hatch registered a 6-13 record with a 4.12 ERA. Following the season, the Blue Jays added him to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft.

Hatch made his Major League debut on July 26, 2020, marking the culmination of his journey through the minor leagues. In his debut season with the Blue Jays, he appeared in 17 games, compiling a 3-1 record with a 2.73 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched. His performance demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level. The 2021 season was interrupted by injury when Hatch was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 22 due to right elbow inflammation. He was activated on July 6 but made only three appearances for Toronto that year, spending most of the season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

In 2022, Hatch served primarily as a starter at Triple-A Buffalo, making 28 appearances including 22 starts. He posted an 8-7 record with a 4.67 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 131 innings pitched. His lone start for the Blue Jays that season was challenging, as he allowed 10 runs on 12 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 innings. Hatch began the 2023 season with Triple-A Buffalo and appeared in six games for Toronto before being designated for assignment on August 4.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2023)

On August 6, 2023, Hatch was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He provided the Pirates with valuable depth out of the bullpen, appearing in 12 games and registering a 4.03 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched. On November 30, Hatch was released by Pittsburgh to pursue an opportunity overseas, concluding his time in the Pirates organization.

Hiroshima Toyo Carp (2024)

On December 3, 2023, Hatch signed with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The move marked his first experience playing outside of North American baseball. However, Hatch struggled during his time with the Carp, making five appearances and posting an 0-3 record with a 7.46 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 22 innings pitched. On November 8, 2024, the Carp announced they would not retain Hatch for the 2025 season, making him a free agent.

Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins (2025)

Following his release from the Carp, Hatch initially agreed to sign with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League on November 18, 2024. However, the contract was voided on December 18 due to concerns over Hatch’s physical condition. On February 7, 2025, Hatch signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, returning to Major League Baseball affiliated play. The Royals selected his contract on June 5, adding him to their active roster. He went unused in the first game of a doubleheader and was designated for assignment before the second game. Hatch cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers on June 8. He was added back to the Royals active roster on July 29. After allowing two runs in his only appearance, Hatch was designated for assignment by the Royals on August 2.

On August 4, 2025, Hatch was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins. He appeared in 11 games for the Twins, posting a 2-1 record with a 5.45 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched. On November 6, Hatch was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. He subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency, becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

Driving Style and Strengths

Throughout his career, Hatch has primarily served as a starting pitcher, though he has also worked in relief roles. His collegiate success at Oklahoma State, where he dominated as a starter with an elite ERA and win percentage, demonstrated his ability to work deep into games and handle pressure situations. His experience spans multiple organizations and levels, including international competition in Japan and various roles within major league systems.

Notable Events and Milestones

Hatch’s career has been highlighted by several notable achievements. His Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award in 2016 established him as a top collegiate talent. His MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on July 26, 2020, marked a significant milestone in his professional journey. His selection to the Southern League All-Star team in 2018 with Tennessee further demonstrated his capabilities as a professional pitcher.

John Thomas Hatch Career Wins

Throughout his professional career spanning multiple leagues and organizations, Hatch has accumulated wins at both the minor league and Major League levels. His most extensive minor league success came during his time with the Cubs organization and at the Triple-A level with Buffalo.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Across parts of four MLB seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Minnesota Twins, Hatch compiled a career Major League record of 6 wins and 5 losses. He recorded 83 strikeouts across his MLB appearances with a cumulative earned run average of 5.24. His most productive MLB season came in 2020 with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he went 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 17 appearances. His most recent MLB action came with the Minnesota Twins in 2025, where he went 2-1 in 11 appearances.

Nippon Professional Baseball and Minor League Highlights

In Nippon Professional Baseball with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2024, Hatch struggled to find success, going 0-3 with a 7.36 ERA in five appearances. His minor league career includes notable performances such as his 2018 season with Tennessee (8-6, 3.82 ERA, Southern League All-Star) and his 2022 campaign with Triple-A Buffalo (8-7, 4.67 ERA, 113 strikeouts). He won the Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award in 2016 during his collegiate career at Oklahoma State.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a year of transitions for Hatch as he navigated between organizations and levels. After beginning the year in the Kansas City Royals minor league system, Hatch was added to the Major League roster in June. His tenure with the Royals was brief, as he appeared in just one game before being designated for assignment and sent outright to Triple-A Omaha. The Twins claimed him off waivers in August, providing him with another opportunity at the MLB level.

With the Minnesota Twins, Hatch appeared in 11 games and showed flashes of effectiveness, posting a 2-1 record with a 5.45 ERA over 33 innings. His ability to record wins at the Major League level demonstrated that he could still contribute at the highest professional stage. However, his overall season performance reflected the inconsistency that has characterized portions of his career. Following the season, Hatch elected free agency after being sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul Saints, indicating his desire to find a more stable situation for the 2026 season and beyond.