Hoby Milner Bio
Hoby Trey Milner is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently signed with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed reliever, he wears jersey number 41 and has pitched in the majors for the Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers before joining Chicago. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Phillies and has built a long career as a dependable bullpen arm across six organizations. Through his work in the major leagues, he has continued to develop into a steady late-inning option for contending clubs.
Early Life and Background
Hoby Trey Milner was born on January 13, 1991, in Fort Worth, Texas, where he grew up in a close-knit family with strong ties to professional sports. His father, Brian Milner, is a former catcher who played in the Toronto Blue Jays system, giving young Hoby an early view of life inside professional baseball. His mother, Yvonne Milner, also raised him in the Fort Worth community, and the family supported his interest in athletics from a young age. His unusual first name was inspired by a character from the television series Baywatch, a detail his parents have shared over the years.
Milner attended R. L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth, where he played baseball and also served as the punter and kicker on the football team, showing his versatility as an athlete. After high school, the Washington Nationals selected him in the 44th round of the 2009 MLB draft, but he chose not to sign. Instead, he enrolled at the University of Texas, where he played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns and continued to sharpen his skills on the mound while studying at one of the most respected athletic programs in the country.
Path to Professional Baseball
After his junior year at the University of Texas, Milner was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh round of the 2012 MLB draft, launching his professional career. He made his professional debut that same year with the Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters and also pitched for the Single-A Lakewood BlueClaws, combining for a 7-3 record and a 2.50 ERA in his first season. He advanced through the Phillies system steadily, spending 2013 with the High-A Clearwater Threshers, 2014 with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, and 2015 between Reading and Clearwater while adjusting his mechanics.
In 2015, Milner converted from an over-the-top delivery to a sidearm delivery, a change that reshaped his approach on the mound and helped him generate different angles against opposing hitters. He split 2016 between the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Reading, posting a 5-4 record and a 2.49 ERA in 49 games. During that same offseason, the Cleveland Indians selected him in the 2016 Rule 5 draft, but they returned him to the Phillies in March 2017, clearing the path for his first major league opportunity later that summer.
Hoby Milner Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Milner opened 2017 with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs before the Phillies called him up to the majors on June 20. He made his MLB debut on June 24 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitching one inning and allowing one run in his first big league appearance. The remainder of his rookie season was outstanding, as he recorded a 2.01 ERA across 37 relief appearances and quickly established himself as a dependable left-handed option out of the Phillies bullpen.
The 2018 season proved more difficult, as Milner struggled to a 7.71 ERA in 10 games and was designated for assignment by Philadelphia on July 8. Shortly afterward, on July 14, the Phillies traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. He appeared in only four games for the Rays down the stretch, posting a 6.75 ERA before being designated for assignment again in November, ending his first chapter in Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Rays Stint (2018-2019)
After being designated for assignment by the Phillies, Milner joined the Tampa Bay Rays organization and split time between the majors and Triple-A Durham. He appeared in only four games for the Rays in 2018, posting a 6.75 ERA, and spent most of the 2019 season in the minors at Durham. On August 20, 2019, Tampa Bay selected his contract and he made his season debut that same day, pitching two innings and allowing one run, before being optioned back to Durham the next day to make room on the roster.
On October 31, 2019, Milner was outrighted off the Rays 40-man roster and elected free agency, closing out his time in Tampa Bay. Across his two seasons with the organization, his major league chances were limited, but he continued refining his sidearm delivery and remained ready whenever his number was called.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2020)
On December 9, 2019, Milner signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels that included an invitation to spring training. His first pitch as an Angel came on Opening Day 2020 and resulted in a walk-off grand slam allowed to Matt Olson of the Oakland Athletics, a difficult start to his time in Anaheim. Despite the rough opener, he remained in the bullpen mix throughout the shortened 2020 campaign and appeared in 19 games, finishing with an 8.10 ERA in a challenging season for the entire league.
Following the 2020 season, the Angels nontendered Milner on December 2, making him a free agent once again. While his lone season in Los Angeles did not produce the results he hoped for, he used the experience to reset and prepare for the next opportunity.
Milwaukee Brewers Breakthrough (2021-2024)
On December 17, 2020, Milner signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning what would become the most stable and productive stretch of his career. He was selected to the active roster on May 15, 2021, and made 19 appearances for Milwaukee that year, logging a 5.40 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 21 2/3 innings. On April 13, 2022, he collected his first career major league win in a victory over the Baltimore Orioles, a milestone moment that capped years of perseverance through the minors.
In 2022, Milner pitched in a career-high 67 contests for the Brewers, going 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. He avoided salary arbitration on January 12, 2023, by agreeing to a one-year, $1.025 million contract, and responded with one of his best seasons, posting a 1.82 ERA with 59 strikeouts over 64 1/3 innings in 73 relief appearances. In 2024, he made 61 appearances and compiled a 5-1 record with a 4.73 ERA and 64 strikeouts across 64 2/3 innings, cementing his reputation as a reliable veteran lefty in the Milwaukee bullpen.
Texas Rangers Era (2025)
On December 19, 2024, Milner signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers, joining a club that had recently reached the World Series. He appeared in 73 games for Texas during the 2025 season, compiling a 3-4 record with a 3.84 ERA and 58 strikeouts across 70 1/3 innings pitched. His heavy workload showed that he remained a trusted option for the Rangers out of the bullpen, even as the team navigated a demanding schedule and roster turnover.
Chicago Cubs Era (2026-Present)
On December 11, 2025, Milner signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, returning to the National League and joining a competitive roster in the National League Central. Through his early time in Chicago, he has continued to operate as a reliable left-handed reliever for the Cubs bullpen, contributing to a staff chasing postseason play.
Driving Style and Strengths
Milner works exclusively out of the bullpen as a left-handed specialist and middle reliever, leaning on his sidearm delivery to create tough angles for opposing hitters. His ability to retire same-handed batters and to log multi-inning outings has made him a favorite of managers who value versatility and quiet consistency. By staying healthy and trusting his repeatable mechanics, he has continued to extend his major league career across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Milner’s career came on April 13, 2022, when he earned his first major league win with the Milwaukee Brewers against the Baltimore Orioles. Reaching the 60-plus appearance mark in three consecutive seasons with Milwaukee also marked him as one of the most durable left-handed relievers in the game during that span.
Hoby Milner Career Wins
Milner has recorded major league wins with both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Texas Rangers, and he has added to that total since joining the Chicago Cubs. His first victory came on April 13, 2022, while pitching for Milwaukee against Baltimore. He has continued to log strong inning counts each season, demonstrating his value as a reliable bullpen arm across multiple organizations.
MLB Highlights
Across his MLB career, Milner has posted a winning record in multiple seasons with Milwaukee and Texas, including a 5-1 mark in 2024 with the Brewers. He has appeared in 60 or more games in several seasons, including 67 appearances in 2022, 73 in 2023, and 61 in 2024 with Milwaukee, and 73 with Texas in 2025. His most consistent stretch came in 2023, when he recorded a 1.82 ERA over 73 relief outings.
Minor League and Amateur Wins
Before reaching the majors, Milner built a strong record in the Phillies minor league system. He posted a 7-3 record and 2.50 ERA in 2012, a 12-7 record with a 3.83 ERA in 2013 with High-A Clearwater, and a 10-6 mark with the Reading Fightin Phils in 2014. At the University of Texas, he earned All-Big 12 recognition as a Longhorn before turning professional.
Hoby Milner Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Hoby Milner was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, by his parents Brian Milner and Yvonne Milner. His father, Brian Milner, is a former catcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, giving Hoby a direct connection to professional baseball from childhood. That family background helped shape his understanding of the game’s demands and the routines of a long professional career.
Personal Life
Hoby Milner married Kathryn Milner in 2018, and the couple has two sons, Leighton and Augustus. The family has remained supportive of his career as he has moved between clubs, and they have accompanied him through stops in Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Texas, and now Chicago.
2025 Season Performance
In his lone season with the Texas Rangers in 2025, Hoby Milner appeared in 73 games out of the bullpen, posting a 3-4 record with a 3.84 ERA and 58 strikeouts across 70 1/3 innings pitched. His heavy workload reflected the trust placed in him by the Rangers coaching staff as a dependable left-handed reliever. His steady inning totals and respectable ERA demonstrated that he continued to perform at a high level despite frequent travel and the demands of a contender’s schedule.
