Andrew Mark Heaney Bio
Andrew Mark Heaney was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 12 seasons. He was born on June 5, 1991, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Heaney played college baseball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys before being selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Miami Marlins. Over his MLB career, he played for the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Heaney won a World Series championship as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2023 and announced his retirement from professional baseball on December 28, 2025.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Mark Heaney grew up in Warr Acres, Oklahoma, and attended Putnam City High School, where he played for the school baseball team. His talent on the mound was evident early, as he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 24th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. Heaney chose not to sign and instead enrolled at Oklahoma State University to play college baseball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Conference.
In 2011, Heaney spent his collegiate summer playing for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate leagues for college players. By his junior season in 2012, Heaney had established himself as one of the top pitchers in college baseball. He posted an 8-2 win-loss record with a 1.60 earned run average and led all NCAA pitchers with 140 strikeouts across 118 and one-third innings pitched. His dominant performance earned him Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year honors and a unanimous All-America selection, being named a first-team All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, the American Baseball Coaches Association, and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Path to Professional Baseball
Heaney’s outstanding collegiate career made him one of the most sought-after pitching prospects in the 2012 MLB draft. The Miami Marlins selected him in the first round with the ninth overall pick. Heaney signed with the Marlins and received an estimated $2.6 million signing bonus. He began his professional career in 2013 with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the High-A Florida State League. He was promoted to the Jacksonville Suns of the Double-A Southern League in August, where he compiled a remarkable 34-inning scoreless streak between the two teams.
Heaney continued his ascent through the minor leagues in 2014, starting the season with Jacksonville before earning a promotion to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs in May. His strong work in the minors earned him his first major-league call-up. He made his MLB debut on June 19, 2014, against the New York Mets, pitching six innings while allowing one run and striking out three batters. Although he took the loss in that 1-0 game, his debut demonstrated the talent that made him a first-round selection.
Andrew Mark Heaney Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
In his rookie campaign with the Miami Marlins in 2014, Heaney appeared in seven games with five starts. He struggled to find consistency at the major-league level, posting a 0-3 record with a 5.83 earned run average and 20 strikeouts across 29 and one-third innings pitched. The Marlins saw enough potential to keep him in their plans, but a significant change was on the horizon.
On December 10, 2014, the Marlins traded Heaney to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a larger package that included Chris Hatcher, Austin Barnes, and Enrique Hernández for Dan Haren, Dee Gordon, and Miguel Rojas. However, Heaney’s time in Los Angeles lasted only five hours before he was traded again, this time to the Los Angeles Angels for Howie Kendrick. The quick succession of trades underscored the value other teams placed on the young left-hander.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2015–2021)
Heaney spent the bulk of his career with the Los Angeles Angels, a tenure marked by both promise and adversity. After beginning 2015 in the minor leagues, he was called up mid-season and made 18 starts for the Angels. He went 6-4 with a 3.49 earned run average and 78 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched, displaying an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.79 that hinted at his potential as an elite starter.
Heaney entered 2016 as the Angels opening day rotation as their number-two starter. However, his season was derailed after just one start when he experienced elbow discomfort. After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection and undergoing further evaluations that showed no improvement, Heaney underwent Tommy John surgery on July 1, 2016, missing the remainder of the season. He finished 2016 with a 6.00 earned run average in just six innings pitched. The injury would continue to affect him into the following season, as he posted a 1-2 record with a 7.06 earned run average in limited action during 2017.
A healthy Heaney returned in 2018 and became the workhorse of the Angels rotation. On June 5, 2018, his 27th birthday, he pitched a one-hit complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals in a 1-0 victory. He was the only Angels starter to make 30 starts that season, finishing 9-10 with a 4.15 earned run average and 180 strikeouts in 180 innings. The 2019 season brought new challenges as Heaney was named the projected opening day starter but suffered elbow inflammation after his first spring start and experienced setbacks during his recovery, limiting him to just 18 starts with a 4-6 record and 4.91 earned run average.
Heaney was named the Angels opening day starter for the abbreviated 2020 season. In his opening start against the Oakland Athletics, he pitched four and two-thirds innings, striking out six batters and allowing one run. He finished the shortened season with a 4-3 record in 12 starts, recording 70 strikeouts in 66 and two-thirds innings. He was traded to the New York Yankees on July 30, 2021, in exchange for Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero.
New York Yankees (2021)
Heaney’s tenure with the Yankees was brief but notable. On August 12, 2021, he started the first-ever Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, against the Chicago White Sox. He pitched five innings, allowing five hits, seven runs, three walks, and three home runs while striking out five batters in a game the Yankees lost 9-8. Prior to the 2021 American League Wild Card Game, Heaney was designated for assignment and elected free agency in October.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2022)
On November 10, 2021, Heaney signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He experienced a resurgence with his hometown team, making 14 starts and two relief appearances in 2022. He posted a 4-4 record with a 3.10 earned run average and struck out 110 batters, his highest total since 2018. However, the season was interrupted by two lengthy stints on the injured list that limited his availability.
Texas Rangers Era (2023–2024)
On December 9, 2022, Heaney signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers. The 2023 season proved to be the highlight of his career. On April 10, 2023, he recorded nine consecutive strikeouts in a game against the Kansas City Royals, tying the American League record and setting the Rangers franchise record. He appeared in 34 games with 28 starts, posting a 10-6 record with a 4.15 earned run average and 151 strikeouts across 147 and one-third innings pitched.
In the postseason, Heaney played a crucial role in the Rangers run to the World Series championship. He started Game 1 of the American League Division Series, pitching three and two-thirds innings in a game the Rangers won 3-2. After a difficult outing in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, he bounced back to start and win Game 4 of the 2023 World Series, pitching five innings while allowing four hits, two walks, and one earned run with three strikeouts. The Rangers won the World Series in five games, giving Heaney his first championship ring at the major-league level.
The 2024 season saw Heaney make 32 appearances with 31 starts for Texas. He struggled to match his 2023 success, compiling a 5-14 record with a 4.28 earned run average and 159 strikeouts across 160 innings pitched.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2025)
On February 22, 2025, Heaney signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He experienced significant difficulties during his time in Pittsburgh, posting a 5-10 record with a 4.99 earned run average over his first 24 games with 23 starts. He was moved to the bullpen on August 16, 2025, but continued to struggle. After allowing five runs in two-thirds of an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, Heaney was designated for assignment by the Pirates on August 26, 2025, and was released on August 29, 2025.
Return to Los Angeles Dodgers (2025)
On August 31, 2025, Heaney signed a minor league contract to return to the Dodgers organization. He performed well in four starts for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, recording a 0.90 earned run average with 13 strikeouts across 10 innings pitched. On September 27, 2025, the Dodgers selected Heaney’s contract, adding him to their active roster. He appeared in one game, allowing three runs on four hits in two innings pitched. Heaney announced his retirement from professional baseball on December 28, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Heaney was a low three-quarters pitcher known for his long stride and ability to generate swings and misses. His primary pitch was a four-seam fastball that averaged 92 miles per hour and could reach 95 miles per hour. He complemented his fastball with a curveball at 80 miles per hour and a changeup at 84 miles per hour. During his time with the Dodgers in 2022, he added a sweeping slider to his pitch repertoire. Heaney’s strikeout ability was his calling card throughout his career, particularly during his dominant junior season at Oklahoma State when he led all NCAA pitchers with 140 strikeouts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Heaney’s career featured several memorable moments. His June 5, 2018 one-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals on his birthday was a career highlight. His nine consecutive strikeouts on April 10, 2023, tied the American League record and set the Rangers franchise record. Most significantly, his performance in Game 4 of the 2023 World Series secured his first championship ring with the Rangers. His MLB career spanned 12 seasons with six different teams, and he finished with a career win-loss record of 56-72, a 4.57 earned run average, and 1,156 strikeouts.
Andrew Mark Heaney Career Wins
Heaney compiled a career record of 56 wins and 72 losses across 12 MLB seasons with six different teams. His most successful season came in 2023 with the Texas Rangers, where he went 10-6 with a 4.15 earned run average and helped the team capture the World Series championship. He struck out 1,156 batters over his professional career.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Heaney’s most productive seasons came with the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers. His 180 strikeouts in 2018 with the Angels represented his highest single-season total during his MLB career. His 2022 season with the Dodgers, where he posted a 3.10 earned run average with 110 strikeouts, demonstrated his ability to miss bats at an elite rate when healthy. His 2023 season with the Rangers was his best overall, combining regular-season success with postseason heroics that resulted in a World Series championship.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to his MLB career, Heaney dominated collegiate baseball at Oklahoma State. In his junior season in 2012, he went 8-2 with a 1.60 earned run average across 118 and one-third innings. His 140 strikeouts that season led all NCAA pitchers. He was named Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year and earned unanimous All-America honors. His minor league career included a remarkable 34-inning scoreless streak in 2013 between Jupiter and Jacksonville.
Andrew Mark Heaney Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While specific details about Heaney’s family background and parents are not widely available in public sources, his personal life has been documented throughout his professional career. Heaney grew up in Oklahoma and attended Putnam City High School in Warr Acres, Oklahoma, before his collegiate career at Oklahoma State University.
Personal Life
Heaney married his wife, Jordan, in 2014 after meeting her in high school. The couple has been supportive of each other throughout his professional career. In 2019, Jordan and Andrew Heaney implemented a dog therapy program at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, demonstrating their commitment to community involvement and supporting children during medical treatment. No children have been publicly disclosed as of his retirement.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging final chapter in Heaney’s professional career. After signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in February 2025 on a one-year, $5.25 million contract, Heaney struggled significantly in his 24 appearances with 23 starts. He posted a 5-10 record with a 4.99 earned run average before being moved to the bullpen in mid-August. His difficulties continued in relief, most notably when he allowed five runs in just two-thirds of an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates designated him for assignment on August 26, 2025, and released him three days later.
Heaney found an opportunity to return to professional baseball when he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 31, 2025. After four successful starts with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets where he posted a 0.90 earned run average, the Dodgers selected his contract on September 27, 2025, adding him to their active roster. He appeared in one game, allowing three runs on four hits in two innings. The opportunity to finish his career with the Dodgers, his hometown team, provided a fitting end to his 12-year professional career. Heaney officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on December 28, 2025.