Jacob Hurtubise Bio
Jacob Gilles Hurtubise (born December 11, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and is currently a free agent. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Hurtubise built a reputation as a disciplined, speed-first outfielder, setting career records in stolen bases and walks at Army. He made his MLB debut in 2024, becoming the second USMA graduate ever to play in the major leagues.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Gilles Hurtubise was born on December 11, 1997, in Zionsville, Indiana. He grew up in Zionsville and attended Zionsville Community High School, where he developed into a stand-out amateur baseball prospect. His early athletic foundation in Indiana helped shape the gritty, contact-oriented approach that would later define his professional career.
After high school, Hurtubise chose a non-traditional route to professional baseball by enrolling at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. There, he played college baseball for the Army Black Knights, balancing the rigorous demands of military training with competitive Division I athletics. The experience instilled the discipline, preparation habits, and team-first mindset that have become hallmarks of his approach on the field.
Path to Professional Baseball
Despite playing only three full seasons at Army because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurtubise set Patriot League career records in stolen bases and walks. He was twice named to the All-Patriot League First Team and, in 2019, was recognized as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. That same summer, he played collegiate baseball with the Harwich Mariners and the Orleans Firebirds of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur talent.
Hurtubise was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 39th round of the 2019 MLB draft but did not sign, honoring his commitment to graduate from West Point. On July 17, 2020, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an undrafted free agent, becoming one of the first athletes granted a delay in his military service to pursue a professional sports career under a new policy.
Jacob Hurtubise Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Hurtubise made his professional debut in 2021 with the High-A Dayton Dragons, batting .283/.413/.337 with no home runs, 33 RBI, and 39 stolen bases across 102 games. His elite plate discipline and speed immediately stood out, and he quickly established himself as a top prospect in the Cincinnati Reds system.
In 2022, he advanced to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, where he played 63 games and hit .250/.385/.308 with one home run, nine RBI, and 16 stolen bases. The promotion reflected the Reds’ growing confidence in his offensive profile, even as he continued refining his approach against more experienced pitching.
Cincinnati Reds Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Hurtubise split the 2023 campaign between Double-A Chattanooga and the Triple-A Louisville Bats, delivering a strong combined .330/.479/.483 line with seven home runs, 46 RBI, and 45 stolen bases across 119 games. His performance earned him the Reds’ minor league position player of the year award, and on November 14, 2023, the club added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
He began the 2024 season at Triple-A Louisville before earning his first major league promotion on May 13, 2024. That night, he debuted as an eighth-inning pinch runner for Mike Ford against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, becoming the second USMA graduate to play in MLB. In 29 appearances for Cincinnati during his rookie campaign, Hurtubise batted .185/.297/.241 with four RBI and two stolen bases.
In 2025, Hurtubise appeared in 12 games for the Reds, going 1-for-12 with one walk, before being designated for assignment on June 14, 2025, following the acquisition of Ryan Vilade.
Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros (2025)
On June 17, 2025, Hurtubise was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. He was removed from the 40-man roster on July 9 and sent outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, where he went 4-for-24 with three RBI and three stolen bases in 12 games. The Mariners released him on July 22, 2025.
Two days later, on July 24, 2025, Hurtubise signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. In 10 appearances for the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he batted .207/.395/.276 with two RBI and three stolen bases before being released on September 7, 2025.
Milwaukee Brewers (2026)
On February 3, 2026, Hurtubise signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, continuing his pursuit of another major league opportunity.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hurtubise is a speed-and-discipline outfielder who draws walks at an elite rate and disrupts opposing pitchers with aggressive base running. His military background has been widely credited with sharpening his preparation, focus, and situational awareness, allowing him to thrive in late-inning and pinch-running roles. Coaches have consistently praised his defensive instincts in the outfield and his willingness to embrace any tactical assignment.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most significant milestone came on May 13, 2024, when he became the second West Point graduate ever to play in Major League Baseball. He was also a member of the first group of service academy athletes granted a military-service delay to pursue professional sports careers, a landmark policy development in 2020.
Jacob Hurtubise Career Wins
Jacob Gilles Hurtubise has compiled an impressive resume of college and minor league accomplishments, highlighted by his record-setting production at Army and his recognition as the Reds’ minor league position player of the year in 2023.
Patriot League and Minor League Highlights
At Army, Hurtubise set Patriot League career records in stolen bases and walks, won two All-Patriot League First Team selections, and earned the 2019 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year award. In the minors, he has stolen 100-plus bases across his first four full professional seasons, including 39 in 2021, 16 in 2022, 45 in 2023, and additional bags at every subsequent stop.
Other Performances
Hurtubise gained national amateur exposure in the Cape Cod Baseball League, suiting up for the Harwich Mariners and the Orleans Firebirds in the summer of 2019. He has also continued to perform in winter and instructional league settings, reinforcing his reputation as a high-energy, high-discipline outfielder.
Jacob Hurtubise Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jacob Gilles Hurtubise grew up in Zionsville, Indiana, in a supportive family environment that encouraged both academic and athletic pursuits. His decision to attend the United States Military Academy reflects a long-standing commitment to service that runs through his upbringing.
Outside of baseball, Hurtubise remains connected to his Indiana roots and continues to represent the values of discipline, leadership, and teamwork instilled at West Point.
2025 Season Performance
Jacob Gilles Hurtubise endured a turbulent 2025 season that saw him move through three different organizations in a span of three months. He opened the year with the Cincinnati Reds, where limited playing time produced a 1-for-12 line with one walk across 12 games before his June 14 designation for assignment.
After being claimed by the Seattle Mariners on June 17, he was sent to Triple-A Tacoma and batted .167 in 12 appearances, then joined the Houston Astros organization on July 24. With Triple-A Sugar Land, he posted a .207 average with three stolen bases in 10 games before being released on September 7.
Through it all, Hurtubise maintained his trademark patience at the plate and speed on the bases, finishing the year with a combined .167/.297/.241 major league line, no home runs, and four RBI, while continuing to pursue an opportunity to return to a major league roster.