Win–loss record 8–11 Role Baseball player Bats Right-handed Name Rick VandenHurk Career start 2003 | Strikeouts 179 Weight 97 kg Earned run average 6.08 Height 1.96 m | |
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Current team Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (#44 / Pitcher) Similar People Dennis Sarfate, Jason Standridge, Andy Van Hekken, Aaron Poreda | ||
Rick vandenhurk impersonator
Henricus "Rick" Nicolas van den Hurk (Eindhoven, May 22, 1985) is a Dutch professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball. He has also pitched in Major League Baseball for the Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, and Pittsburgh Pirates, and in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions. In international play, he is a member of the Netherlands national baseball team.
Contents
- Rick vandenhurk impersonator
- Rick vandenhurk throws me a ball
- Early years
- Florida Marlins
- Baltimore Orioles
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Cleveland Indians
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Samsung Lions
- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
- References
Rick vandenhurk throws me a ball
Early years
At the age of 16, van den Hurk was scouted by Chicho Jesurun when playing for the Oosterhout baseball team Twins, where his father was coach. He went to Fort Lauderdale Preparatory School where he graduated in 2003.
Florida Marlins
Van den Hurk was signed by the Florida Marlins as an international free agent in 2002.
Prior to his major league debut in 2007, he had never pitched above Class-A. He underwent ligament replacement surgery on his right arm in 2005.
In 2006, van den Hurk started five games for the Gulf Coast League Marlins in rookie ball and three more games for the Jupiter Hammerheads of High-A. In the rookie league, van den Hurk allowed just two runs on four hits in 15 innings of work, while striking out 26 batters. With the Hammerheads, he allowed three earned runs on five hits through ten innings and striking out 15.
On April 9, 2007, van den Hurk was promoted to the Marlins from the Double-A Carolina Mudcats when pitcher Ricky Nolasco was placed on the disabled list. At the time of his debut, he was the youngest player in the National League. He made his first major league appearance on April 10, starting against the Milwaukee Brewers. A rain delay cut his debut short after 4 2⁄3 innings, in which he allowed one earned run on five hits, with five strikeouts and three walks.
Van den Hurk was sent back to Double-A after the team's April 24 loss to the Atlanta Braves. In his fourth appearance, he pitched just one inning while giving up six earned runs on four hits and four walks. Pitcher Nate Field was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his roster spot.
On June 5, the Marlins called up van den Hurk to throw the second game of a double header. He went six innings without giving up a hit until Yunel Escobar hit a double to lead off the 7th inning. He did not give up a run and earned his first win. He was sent again to Double-A on June 16.
During the 2007 midseason, van den Hurk was selected to the All-Star Futures Game for which he received the win.
He was called back up to the majors on Tuesday July 22, 2008 to start against the Atlanta Braves.
He was brought up again to join the rotation on July 20, 2009 when the Marlins sent struggling left-hander Andrew Miller to the minor leagues. His first opponent was the San Diego Padres with van den Hurk coming away the winner that day in a 3–2 game.
During November 2009, van den Hurk pitched for Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rico Baseball League, a Winter Baseball league. Van den Hurk made three starts going 0–0 with an ERA of 2.50 striking out 13 in 18 innings, while walking just one.
Baltimore Orioles
Van den Hurk was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, 2010, in exchange for Will Ohman.
On February 3, 2012, the Orioles released van den Hurk.
Toronto Blue Jays
On February 22, 2012 the Toronto Blue Jays signed van den Hurk to a split contract; he was subsequently waived by Toronto.
Cleveland Indians
Van den Hurk was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians on March 21, 2012. He was designated for assignment on March 29, 2012. Van den Hurk was subsequently ourighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on April 4, 2012. He declined his minor league assignment and became a free agent.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Van den Hurk signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 11, 2012. Van den Hurk was promoted to the Pirates on September 10, 2012.
Samsung Lions
Van den Hurk signed with the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization for 2013. In 2014, Van den Hurk finished with a 13–4 win-loss record, a 3.18 ERA (lowest ERA in KBO), and a league-high 180 strikeouts over 152 2⁄3 innings pitched.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
On December 26, 2014, van den Hurk signed a contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball. In 2015, van den Hurk made 15 starts for the SoftBank Hawks, compiling a perfect 9-0 record, with a 2.52 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He struck out 120 batters in 93 innings pitched. In his second season with the Hawks, van den Hurk finished 2016 with a 7-3 record in 13 starts, with a 3.84 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He struck out 92 batters in 82 innings pitched.