Andrew Heaney

Andrew Heaney
Heaney with the Los Angeles Angels in 2015
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1991-06-05) June 5, 1991 (age 33) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 19, 2014, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	51–62
Earned run average	4.45
Strikeouts	1,070
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Miami Marlins (2014) Los Angeles Angels[a] (2015–2021) New York Yankees (2021) Los Angeles Dodgers (2022) Texas Rangers (2023–2024)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2023)

Andrew Mark Heaney (born June 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. Prior to becoming a professional, he played college baseball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The Marlins drafted Heaney in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Marlins in 2014. Heaney pitched for the Angels from 2015 through 2021, and played for the Yankees in 2021 and Dodgers in 2022.

Early life

Andrew Mark Heaney was born on June 5, 1991, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Heaney attended Putnam City High School in Warr Acres, Oklahoma, where he played for the school's baseball team.^[1][2] He was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 24th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign, opting to enroll at Oklahoma State University, where he played college baseball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, competing in the Big 12 Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I.

College career

In the summer of 2011, he pitched in collegiate summer baseball for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.^[3][4]

In 2012, Heaney's junior season, he pitched to an 8–2 win–loss record and a 1.60 earned run average (ERA) in 118+1⁄3 innings pitched. He led all NCAA pitchers with 140 strikeouts.^[5] Heaney was named Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year in 2012.^[6] Heaney was 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.^[7]

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Heaney in 2012

The Miami Marlins drafted Heaney in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Heaney was the ninth overall selection and received an estimated $2.6 million signing bonus.^[5]

Heaney began the 2013 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, and was promoted to the Jacksonville Suns of the Class AA Southern League in August. Between Jupiter and Jacksonville, he amassed a 34 inning scoreless streak.^[8] Heaney began the 2014 season with Jacksonville, and was promoted to the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in May. In his Class AAA debut, he faced the Oklahoma City Redhawks and went five innings, allowing one run on seven hits while adding seven strikeouts and no walks. He took a no decision.^[9]

Miami Marlins (2014)

Heaney made his Major League debut on June 19, 2014, against the New York Mets. In his debut, Heaney went six innings and allowed one run while striking out three batters. He took the loss in a 1–0 game.^[10]

Los Angeles Angels (2015–2021)

On December 10, 2014, the Marlins traded Heaney to the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with Chris Hatcher, Austin Barnes, and Enrique Hernández, in exchange for Dan Haren, Dee Gordon, and Miguel Rojas.^[11] Five hours later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels, in exchange for Howie Kendrick.^[12] Heaney thanked the Dodgers for their short time together, tweeting, "Well, @Dodgers we had a good run! Great to be a part of such a storied franchise. #thanksforthememories".^[13]

After some injuries to the starting rotation, Heaney was called up and made 18 starts for the Angels. He went 6–4 in 105 innings while displaying an excellent strikeout to walk ratio of 2.79 for Anaheim.^[14]

In 2016, Heaney made the Angels opening day rotation as their #2 starter. In what turned out to be his only start, after allowing 4 runs in 6 innings, Heaney left the game. After the game, Heaney felt discomfort in his elbow, he was immediately placed on the disabled list. On April 30, Heaney received a platelet rich plasma injection in his left elbow, sidelining him for 6 weeks.^[15] On June 28, Heaney underwent evaluations on his elbow and found no improvement, pushing back his return even further.^[16] On July 1, Heaney underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the remainder of the 2016 season.^[17] Heaney would finish his 2016 season with an ERA of 6.00 in six innings.^[18] In 2017, in 21.2 innings he was 1–2 with a 7.06 ERA.^[14]

On June 5, 2018, the day of his 27th birthday, Heaney pitched a one-hit complete game shutout as the Angels won 1–0 over the Kansas City Royals.^[19] Heaney was the only Angels starter to start 30 games in 2018. He finished the 2018 season 9–10 with an ERA of 4.15 and 180 strikeouts in 180 innings.^[14]

Heaney entered 2019 as the projected #1 starter but suffered an elbow inflammation and was shut down after his first spring start. He was shut down again on March 28 after experiencing a setback during a side session.^[20]

On July 6, 2019, Heaney became the first pitcher to start after the passing of fellow left-hander Tyler Skaggs. His first pitch against George Springer of Houston Astros was mimicking an overhand and slow curveball, which was Skaggs' best pitch, and was unchallenged with no swing.^[21] In 18 starts, Heaney was 4–6 with a 4.91 ERA.^[14]

Heaney was named the Angels' opening day starter for the 2020 season.^[22] In the 3–7 no-decision loss to the Oakland Athletics, Heaney pitched 4+2⁄3 innings, striking out 6 batters and allowing 1 run. He finished the shortened season with a record of 4–3 in 12 starts. He struck out 70 batters in 66+2⁄3 innings.^[14]

New York Yankees (2021)

On July 30, 2021, Heaney was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero.^[23] On August 12, Heaney was the starting pitcher in the first Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa against the Chicago White Sox. Heaney went 5 innings giving up 5 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks, and 3 home runs while striking out 5 batters as the Yankees lost 9–8. Prior to the 2021 American League Wild Card Game, Heaney was designated for assignment.^[24] On October 8, Heaney rejected his outright assignment and elected free agency.^[25]

Los Angeles Dodgers (2022)

On November 10, 2021, Heaney signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[26] He made 14 starts and two relief appearances for the Dodgers in 2022, with a 4–4 record and 3.10 ERA while striking out 110 batters.^[14] He also had a couple of lengthy stints on the injured list.^[27]

Texas Rangers (2023–2024)

On December 9, 2022, Heaney signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers.^[28]

On April 10, 2023, Heaney recorded 9 consecutive strikeouts in a game against the Kansas City Royals, which tied the American League record and set the franchise record.^[29]

In the playoffs, Heaney made three starts. He started Game 1 of the 2023 American League Division Series, he pitched the first 3.2 innings, a game in which the Rangers went on to win 3-2. In Game 4 of the 2023 American League Championship Series, he lasted only 2/3 of an inning, surrendering four hits, three earned runs, and one walk. The Rangers would go on to lose the game 10-3.^[30] He also started and earned the win in Game 4 of the 2023 World Series, pitching five innings while only allowing four hits, two walks, and one earned run, while also recording three strikeouts.^[31] The Rangers ultimately won the World Series in five games, giving Heaney his first World Series ring.

Pitching style

Heaney mid-pitch in 2012

Heaney is an overhand pitcher with a long stride. He throws three pitches: a four-seam fastball that averages 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) and can touch 95 miles per hour (153 km/h), a curveball at 80 miles per hour (130 km/h), and a changeup at 84 miles per hour (135 km/h).^[32] In 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Heaney added a "sweeping" style slider to his repertoire.

Personal life

Heaney and his wife, Jordan, met in high school and married in 2014.^[33] In 2019, they implemented a dog therapy program at Children's Hospital of Orange County.^[34]

See also

• 2012 College Baseball All-America Team

Notes

1. Known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim until 2015.

References

1. "High school notebook: Chad James wins duel". Newsok.com. March 24, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
2. "College baseball: Oklahoma State ace Andrew Heaney's 'fan club' keeps growing". Newsok.com. March 21, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
3. Dan Popko (August 12, 2011). "Gatemen swept out of CCBL playoffs". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
4. "#28 Andrew Heaney". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
5. Spencer, Clark (December 9, 2011). "Miami Marlins top pick Andrew Heaney signs". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
6. "2012 All-Big 12 Baseball Teams & Postseason Awards Unveiled". Big 12 Conference. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
7. "Oklahoma scene: OSU's Andrew Heaney named All-American by Baseball America". NewsOK.com. June 22, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
8. "Left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney, the Miami Marlins No. 3 prospect, is dominating the Minor Leagues". Miami.marlins.mlb.com. February 8, 2013. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
9. "Andrew Heaney, top-rated left-handed pitching prospect, to start for New Orleans Zephyrs on Thursday". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
10. "Andrew Heaney - New York Yankees - news and analysis, statistics, game logs, depth charts, contracts, injuries". www.nbcsportsedge.com.
11. Gurnick, Ken (December 11, 2014). "Dodgers adding Kendrick, Rollins in trades". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
12. Gonzalez, Alden (December 11, 2014). "Angels deal Kendrick, get Heaney, Rutledge". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
13. Townsend, Mark (December 11, 2014). "Andrew Heaney thanks Dodgers for memorable five-hour tenure". Sports.Yahoo.com.
14. "Andrew Heaney Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
15. Times, Pedro Moura Pedro Moura is the former Angels beat writer for the Los Angeles (May 1, 2016). "Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection". Los Angeles Times.
16. "Angels' Andrew Heaney: Evaluation shows no improvement in injured elbow". CBSSports.com.
17. "Angels LHP Andrew Heaney will have Tommy John surgery". sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2016.
18. "Andrew Heaney Stats, Fantasy & News". Los Angeles Angels. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
19. "Heaney pitches one-hitter on 27th birthday". MLB. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
20. "Andrew Heaney suffers setback with elbow injury, will undergo reevaluation Monday". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 2019.
21. McCullough, Andy (July 7, 2019). "Andrew Heaney pays tribute to Tyler Skaggs in Angels' loss to Astros". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
22. Bollinger, Rhett. "Heaney to start Angels' 2020 season opener". MLB. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
23. Hoch, Bryan (July 30, 2021). "Yankees acquire lefty Heaney from Angels". MLB.com.
24. Martin, Dan (October 5, 2021). "Yankees bring back Greg Allen for wild-card game, DFA Andrew Heaney". New York Post.
25. "Andrew Heaney Elects Free Agency".
26. Toribio, Juan (November 10, 2021). "Dodgers, lefty Heaney finalize 1-year deal". mlb.com. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
27. Toribio, Juan (July 28, 2022). "Heaney's return gives Dodgers a big boost". mlb.com. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
28. "Rangers sign free agent LHP Andrew Heaney to two-year contract covering 2023-24 seasons". MLB.com.
29. "Heaney tops Nolan Ryan, ties AL mark with 9 straight K's". MLB.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
30. "ALCS Game 4 Box Score". ESPN.com. October 19, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
31. "World Series Game 4 Box Score". ESPN.com. October 31, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
32. "BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: Andrew Heaney". www.brooksbaseball.net.
33. "Meet Angels pitcher and former Putnam City star Andrew Heaney's biggest fan". Oklahoman.com. February 14, 2015.
34. "Angels' Andrew Heaney implements dog therapy program at Children's Hospital". Los Angeles Times. July 26, 2019.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
• Andrew Heaney on Twitter