Thomas Hatch Bio
John Thomas Hatch, known professionally as Thomas Hatch, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Born on September 29, 1994, he has competed across multiple professional leagues, including Major League Baseball (MLB), Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), and the KBO League. Hatch has built a journeyman career that began in the Chicago Cubs organization and has carried him through clubs in North America and Asia.
Over the course of his professional journey, Hatch has appeared in the major leagues for the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins. He has also pitched in Japan for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and most recently in South Korea for the SSG Landers. His career has been defined by perseverance, frequent movement between organizations, and a willingness to compete in any league that offers an opportunity.
Early Life and Background
Thomas Hatch attended Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, where he first developed as a pitcher. During his junior season, he posted a 7–2 win–loss record paired with a 1.60 earned run average (ERA), demonstrating the kind of command and consistency that would later attract professional scouts. Despite those strong numbers, Hatch went undrafted in the 2013 MLB draft and chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
He enrolled at Oklahoma State University and joined the Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball program, where he pursued a degree in accounting. In the summer of 2014, he gained valuable experience by playing collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. His development was briefly interrupted in 2015 when a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow kept him off the mound, but the injury did not require surgery.
Hatch returned to form in 2016 during his junior year, going 9–3 with a 2.14 ERA across 19 starts as Oklahoma State reached the 2016 College World Series. That breakout performance earned him the Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award and established him as one of the top college arms heading into that summer’s draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Chicago Cubs selected Thomas Hatch in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft, choosing him with the 104th overall pick. He signed with the Cubs and received a $573,900 signing bonus, then did not pitch for the rest of 2016 in order to rest and prepare for his first full professional season. That offseason of preparation set the stage for his professional debut in 2017.
Hatch made his professional debut in 2017 with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. He logged a 5–11 record with a 4.04 ERA in 26 starts, learning the rigors of a full professional schedule. In 2018, he advanced to the Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League, where he earned Southern League All-Star honors and went 8–6 with a 3.82 ERA in 26 starts, confirming his upward trajectory.
Thomas Hatch Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After his 2018 All-Star campaign, Hatch returned to the Tennessee Smokies to begin the 2019 season. On July 30, 2019, the Cubs traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for reliever David Phelps, and he finished the year with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Across 27 total starts between Tennessee and New Hampshire that year, he posted a 6–13 record with a 4.12 ERA.
Following the 2019 season, the Blue Jays added Hatch to their 40-man roster, signaling their confidence in his long-term potential. That protection set the stage for his eventual arrival in the major leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2020–2023)
Thomas Hatch made his MLB debut on July 26, 2020, during the shortened pandemic season. He appeared in 17 games for the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, going 3–1 with a 2.73 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched, a promising beginning to his major league career that showcased his ability to miss bats and limit damage.
His momentum was interrupted on April 22, 2021, when right elbow inflammation placed him on the 60-day injured list. After activation on July 6, he made only three appearances for Toronto that year and spent most of the season at Triple-A Buffalo. In 2022, Hatch made 28 appearances, including 22 starts, for Buffalo, posting an 8–7 record and a 4.67 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 131.0 innings. His lone start for the Blue Jays that season was difficult, as he allowed 10 runs on 12 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 innings.
Heading into 2023, Hatch was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. In six games for Toronto, he posted a 4.26 ERA with 10 strikeouts in just over six innings. On August 4, 2023, the Blue Jays designated him for assignment, ending his tenure with the organization that had given him his first major league opportunity.
Pittsburgh Pirates Era (2023)
On August 6, 2023, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Thomas Hatch off waivers. In 12 appearances for the Pirates, he registered a 4.03 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 22.1 innings. Pittsburgh released him on November 30, allowing him to pursue opportunities overseas and begin the international chapter of his career.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Era (2024)
On December 3, 2023, Hatch signed with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. He made five appearances for the Carp in 2024 and struggled, going 0–3 with a 7.46 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 22 innings. On November 8, 2024, the Carp announced they would not retain him for the 2025 season, returning him to free agency.
Kansas City Royals Era (2025)
After agreeing to a contract with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League on November 18, 2024, the deal was voided on December 18 due to concerns over his physical. On February 7, 2025, Hatch signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals selected his contract on June 5, 2025, adding him to the active roster, though he was designated for assignment the same day. After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers on June 8. The Royals recalled him on July 29, and he made one appearance before being designated for assignment again on August 2, 2025.
Minnesota Twins Era (2025)
On August 4, 2025, the Minnesota Twins claimed Thomas Hatch off waivers. In 11 appearances for the Twins, he went 2–1 with a 5.45 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 33 innings. On November 6, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Hatch rejected the assignment and elected free agency, beginning the next phase of his career.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2026)
On January 8, 2026, Hatch signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made 11 starts for the Triple-A Reno Aces, going 2–0 with a 4.01 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 51.2 innings. The Diamondbacks released him on June 4, 2026.
SSG Landers Era (2026)
On June 6, 2026, Thomas Hatch signed with the SSG Landers of the KBO League as an injury replacement for Mitch White, marking his return to international baseball.
Thomas Hatch Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Thomas Hatch’s immediate family and personal relationships is limited. He was raised in Jenks, Oklahoma, and attended Jenks High School, where his pitching career began in earnest. Beyond these early details, additional verified information about his parents, spouse, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Thomas Hatch’s 2025 season was defined by frequent movement between organizations. After his 2024 stint in Japan, he initially agreed to a KBO League deal with the Doosan Bears that was later voided because of physical concerns. He rebounded by signing a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals in February and worked his way back to the major leagues by June, though his time on the active roster was brief and turbulent.
His fortunes shifted when the Minnesota Twins claimed him off waivers in early August. Hatch provided length out of the bullpen across 11 appearances, striking out 21 batters in 33 innings and earning a 2–1 record. The Twins removed him from the 40-man roster at season’s end, and he elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment, leaving his 2026 plans open.
Through the 2025 MLB season, Thomas Hatch’s cumulative major league line featured a 6–5 win–loss record, a 5.24 ERA, and 83 strikeouts, while his 2024 NPB numbers with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp included a 0–3 record, a 7.36 ERA, and 18 strikeouts. As a free agent heading into the next chapter of his career, his willingness to compete across leagues continues to define his professional path.
