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Former Hokie Jesse Hahn Traded to the Oakland Athletics

By Tim Thomas

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Jul 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starter Jesse Hahn (45) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, former Virginia Tech pitcher Jesse Hahn was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the San Diego Padres in a deal in which he would become the most notable player dealt in along with Alex Torres. Hahn took advantage of the opportunity that he received in San Diego and had a very successful season.

Hahn finished the 2014 season with a 7-4 record, 3.07 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in 73 and one-third innings pitched. Hahn appeared in 14 games over the course of his first season in the majors, 12 of which were starts. The former Hokie went at least 6 innings in seven of his starts, and at least 7 innings in three of his starts.

After a season like this, it seemed like Hahn’s future for the next few seasons would be with the Padres. However, San Diego’s new general manager A.J. Preller has been very aggressive this offseason knowing that his club has a lot of pitching talent while looking to improve his team’s offense.

For the second straight offseason, Jesse Hahn was traded by his team. Hahn was one of two pitchers sent to the Oakland Athletics in a trade that caused All-Star catcher Derek Norris to be traded to the Padres.

Oakland has lost multiple pieces to its rotation via trades and free agency, and Hahn seems very likely to be in the middle of the rotation. Hahn is definitely be a pitcher that throws at least 160 to 200 innings though it wouldn’t be too surprising if he had an innings limit.

Even though he is going to be one of the rotation replacements for Jon Lester, Jeff Samardzija, and Jason Hammel; Hahn will have very little pressure due to how many talented players Billy Beane has traded this offseason including Samardzija, Norris, and Josh Donaldson.

Jesse Hahn will also be back in the American League now, and he may get a chance to pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays depending on how the rotation lines up for their series against the Rays. Hahn will likely want to prove to the Rays that they shouldn’t have traded him in the first place.

Once again, Hahn is on the move but he will be ready to shine at the Oakland Coliseum.

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