Jeremy Robert Hellickson (born April 8, 1987) is an American former
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Modern professiona ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, who attempts to e ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) ...
(MLB) for the
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team's home v ...
,
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. ...
,
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citize ...
,
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. As one of the American League's eight charter ...
, and
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadi ...
. Following the 2011 season, Hellickson was named
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...
Rookie of the Year. In Tampa Bay, Hellickson was nicknamed "Hellboy" by local fans and media.
Early life
Hellickson was born in
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines () is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small part of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moine ...
and attended
Hoover High School.
Professional career
Minor leagues
Hellickson was drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of the
2005 Major League Baseball draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams. It is widely considered to be one of the best ...
. ''
Baseball America
''Baseball America'' is a sports enterprise that covers baseball at every level, including MLB, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in the MiLB, college, high school, and international leagues. It is currently published in the form ...
'' rated him as the 18th best prospect in all of baseball going into the 2010 season. He was selected to play in the 2010
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National Le ...
and was the starting pitcher for U.S. team.
Tampa Bay Rays
On August 2, 2010, Hellickson made his major league debut against
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area ...
. During his debut, he held the Twins to two runs over seven innings. He struck out six while walking two. He was optioned back to the Triple-A
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened i ...
after the start. He was once again recalled to the majors on August 10 to take the spot of
Wade Davis in the rotation. He made his second career start that day against the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
at
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is a baseball stadium located in Downtown Detroit. It has been the home of Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers since 2000, when the team left Tiger Stadium.
History Construction
Founded in 1894, the Tigers had played at the c ...
, earning his second career victory after pitching seven shutout innings with three hits, seven strikeouts and no walks as the Rays won 8–0.
On August 21, 2010, Hellickson was optioned to the High-A
Charlotte Stone Crabs
The Charlotte Stone Crabs were a Minor League Baseball team located in Port Charlotte, Florida, from 2009 to 2020. They competed in the Florida State League (FSL) as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball (MLB ...
to work on moving to the bullpen. He was recalled to Tampa Bay on September 1, and made his first appearance out of the bullpen on September 4, pitching 1 innings giving up 2 runs.

Hellickson began the 2011 season as the Rays fifth starter. On May 13, he threw his first
complete game
In baseball, a complete game (CG) is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher. A pitcher who meets this criterion will be credited with a complete game regardless of the number of innings played—pit ...
, earning a 3–0 victory over the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. As one of the American League's eight charter ...
. Following the season, Hellickson earned the 2011 American League
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is given annually to two outstanding rookie players, one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL), as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). The a ...
.
[Nowak, Joey]
Kimbrel, Hellickson take top rookie awards
MLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. (a subsidiary of MLB). MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports column ...
. Published November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011. He was named the Rays third starter for the 2012 season and pitched 8 shutout innings against the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one o ...
on April 8, 2012.
Hellickson was the losing pitcher in
Félix Hernández's perfect game
On August 15, 2012, Seattle Mariners pitcher Félix Hernández pitched the 23rd perfect game in Major League Baseball (MLB) history and the first in Mariners' franchise history. Pitching to catcher John Jaso against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safec ...
on August 15, 2012. He still had a
quality start
In baseball, a quality start is a statistic for a starting pitcher defined as a game in which the pitcher completes at least six innings and permits no more than three earned runs. The quality start has effectively replaced the 'complete game' as ...
in the game, allowing one run and five hits over seven innings to the
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team ...
.
Hellickson was optioned to Charlotte on August 27. He was recalled from the Double-A
Montgomery Biscuits
The Montgomery Biscuits are a Minor League Baseball team based in Montgomery, Alabama. They are the Double-A (baseball), Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and play in the Southern League (1964–present), Southern League. The team was found ...
on September 3 after the major league rosters expanded. He did not pitch for either minor league team.
He was named co-winner with Jake Peavy, then with the Chicago White Sox, of the American League Rawlings Gold Glove for 2012.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On November 14, 2014, the Rays traded Hellickson to the Arizona Diamondbacks for
Andrew Velazquez and
Justin Williams
Justin Craig Williams (born October 4, 1981) is a
Canadian- American former professional ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Washing ...
. He signed a one-year deal worth $4.275 million on January 16, 2015 and avoided arbitration. In 27 starts, he finished 9-12 with an ERA of 4.62 in 146 innings.
Philadelphia Phillies
On November 14, 2015, Hellickson was traded to the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citize ...
for minor league pitcher
Sam McWilliams. On January 15, 2016, Hellickson signed a one-year deal for $7 million avoiding arbitration. Hellickson started for the Phillies on
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent years ...
. The Phillies extended Hellickson a qualifying offer worth $17.2 million for the 2017 season, which he accepted.
On April 3, 2017, Hellickson was the starting pitcher against the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
on Opening Day. He hit his first-career triple, the first pitcher to hit a triple in the season opener since
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...
'
Jack Sanford
John Stanley Sanford (May 18, 1929 – March 7, 2000) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from through . Sanford was notable for the meteoric start to his career when, he led ...
in 1963. He pitched five innings earning the win, allowing one run and six hits. He left early because of running the triple.
Baltimore Orioles
On July 28, 2017, the Phillies traded Hellickson to the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. As one of the American League's eight charter ...
for
Hyun-soo Kim and
Garrett Cleavinger.
In his first start as an Oriole, Hellickson threw seven shutout innings against the Royals, striking out three batters while earning the win in a 6-0 victory. Despite that hot start, Hellickson struggled down the stretch, posting a 5.43 ERA over 30 starts over the course of the season. For the 2017 season, between the two teams he led the majors in giving up the most
home runs per nine innings (1.92). He became a free agent following the conclusion of the season.
Washington Nationals
Hellickson signed a minor league contract with the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadi ...
that included an invitation to
major league spring training on March 17, 2018. His contract was selected on April 16 for a start against the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major leagu ...
at
Citi Field
Citi Field is a baseball park, baseball stadium located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in New York City, United States. It opened in 2009 and is the home field of Major League Baseball's New York Mets. The stadium was built as a replacement fo ...
. In his Nationals debut, Hellickson worked into the fifth inning while giving up two runs, taking a no-decision as his team rallied in the eighth inning to win 8–6. He earned his first Nationals win on May 8, 2018, at
PETCO Park
Petco Park is a baseball stadium in Downtown San Diego, California. It is the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres, and has also been used as a venue for concerts, soccer, golf, and rugby.
The ballpark is located between ...
, taking a
perfect game bid into the seventh inning and allowing no runs in the two-hit outing, striking out eight
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
in the process. He began his tenure with Washington going 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA before landing on the disabled list with a hamstring strain. He ended the season with a 5-3 record in innings.
On February 8, 2019, Hellickson re-signed with the Nationals, inking a one-year, $1.3 million contract with up to $4 million in incentives. In 9 appearances (8 starts) Hellickson went 2-3 with a 6.23 ERA before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. The Nationals finished the 2019 year with a 93-69 record, clinching a wild card spot, and eventually went on to win the
2019 World Series
The 2019 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2019 season. The 115th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League champion Houston Astros and the National League ...
over the
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
, their first championship in franchise history. Although Hellickson did not participate in any postseason action, he won his first World Series championship.
Hellickson retired from baseball on February 14, 2020, after experiencing a shoulder setback prior to spring training.
Achievements
*2009
Triple-A Baseball National Championship Most Valuable Player
*
Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award
Listed below in chronological order are the Minor League Baseball players chosen by ''Baseball America'' as recipients of the ''Baseball America'' Minor League Player of the Year Award. Since 1981, the award has been given to one minor league pla ...
, 2010
*
International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ( ...
Most Valuable Pitcher, 2010
*
USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award
Listed below in chronological order are the Minor League Baseball players chosen by ''USA Today'' as recipients of the ''USA Today'' Minor League Player of the Year Award. Since 1988, the award has been given annually to the minor-league player w ...
, 2010
*American League
Rookie of the Month – May 2011
*American League
Pitcher of the Month – May 2011
[
*American League ]Rookie of the Year Award
A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).
In contrast with a veteran who has experience and expertise, a rookie is usually inexperienced ...
, 2011[
*]2019 World Series
The 2019 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2019 season. The 115th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League champion Houston Astros and the National League ...
champion
Personal life
Hellickson and his wife Natalie reside in West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. A majority of the city is located in Polk County, a minority of the city is located in Dallas County, and small portions extend into Warren and Mad ...
.
See also
* List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders
In baseball, a strikeout occurs when a pitcher throws three strikes to a batter during his time at bat. Under Rules 6.05 and 6.09 of the Official Rules of Major League Baseball, a batter becomes a runner when a third strike is not caught by ...
* List of Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day starting pitchers
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hellickson, Jeremy
1987 births
Living people
Baseball players from Des Moines, Iowa
Major League Baseball pitchers
Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners
Gold Glove Award winners
Tampa Bay Rays players
Arizona Diamondbacks players
Philadelphia Phillies players
Baltimore Orioles players
Washington Nationals players
Princeton Devil Rays players
Hudson Valley Renegades players
Columbus Catfish players
Vero Beach Devil Rays players
Montgomery Biscuits players
Durham Bulls players
Charlotte Stone Crabs players
American people of Swedish descent