Justin Hatcher
Encyclopedia
Justin Michael Hatcher is a current bullpen catcher for the San Diego Padres
wearing #80. He played professionally from 2003 to 2007.
Prior to playing professionally, Hatcher attended Brewer High School
and then Eastfield College
and Texas Christian University
. With TCU in 2002, he hit .260 in 127 at-bats and in 2003 he hit .333 in 192 at-bats with them. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers
in the 25th round of the 2003 amateur draft.
Hatcher began his professional career in 2003 with the AZL Rangers, hitting .268 in 97 at-bats. He split the 2004 season between the Clinton Lumber Kings (69 games) and Oklahoma RedHawks
(two games). With the former he hit .289 and with the latter he hit .333. In 2005, he played for the Bakersfield Blaze
, hitting .270 in 311 at-bats.
He played for four teams in 2006: the independent Fort Worth Cats
, the Blaze, the RedHawks and the Mobile Bay Bears in the Padres organization. He hit .429 in 14 at-bats with the Cats, .228 in 101 at-bats with the Blaze, .143 in 14 at-bats with the RedHawks and .167 in 12 at-bats with the Bay Bears.
2007 was Hatcher's final professional season. He played for the Lake Elsinore Storm
, San Antonio Missions
and Portland Beavers
, hitting .231, .100 and .204 with them, respectively. He became a bullpen catcher for the Padres in 2008.
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
wearing #80. He played professionally from 2003 to 2007.
Prior to playing professionally, Hatcher attended Brewer High School
Brewer High School (Fort Worth, Texas)
Brewer High School is a public high school serving 1,328 students from grade 9-12 located in Fort Worth, Texas. It has a notable athletics program, as it has produced major league baseball players Aubrey Huff and Kelly Shoppach, as well as San Diego Padres bullpen catcher Justin Hatcher. The...
and then Eastfield College
Eastfield College
Eastfield College is a community college of the Dallas County Community College District , located in Mesquite, Texas . The school was founded in 1970 and features an enrollment of over 10,000 students....
and Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
. With TCU in 2002, he hit .260 in 127 at-bats and in 2003 he hit .333 in 192 at-bats with them. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the 25th round of the 2003 amateur draft.
Hatcher began his professional career in 2003 with the AZL Rangers, hitting .268 in 97 at-bats. He split the 2004 season between the Clinton Lumber Kings (69 games) and Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
(two games). With the former he hit .289 and with the latter he hit .333. In 2005, he played for the Bakersfield Blaze
Bakersfield Blaze
The Bakersfield Blaze are a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bakersfield Blaze play their home games at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark...
, hitting .270 in 311 at-bats.
He played for four teams in 2006: the independent Fort Worth Cats
Fort Worth Cats
The Fort Worth Cats are a professional baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. The Cats are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season the Cats...
, the Blaze, the RedHawks and the Mobile Bay Bears in the Padres organization. He hit .429 in 14 at-bats with the Cats, .228 in 101 at-bats with the Blaze, .143 in 14 at-bats with the RedHawks and .167 in 12 at-bats with the Bay Bears.
2007 was Hatcher's final professional season. He played for the Lake Elsinore Storm
Lake Elsinore Storm
The Lake Elsinore Storm is a minor league baseball team in Lake Elsinore, California, USA. It is a Class A - Advanced team in the California League, and is a farm team of the San Diego Padres. The Storm plays its home games at Lake Elsinore Diamond...
, San Antonio Missions
San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are a minor league baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres major-league club. The Missions play in Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, located in San Antonio...
and Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
, hitting .231, .100 and .204 with them, respectively. He became a bullpen catcher for the Padres in 2008.