Jeff Hoffman’s Remarkable Career Turnaround: From Forgotten Prospect to Free Agency Star
Jeff Hoffman’s journey to becoming one of the most coveted relievers in this offseason’s free agent class is nothing short of extraordinary. After a dominant stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, the 31-year-old right-hander is poised to cash in on his resurgence. But just a year ago, Hoffman’s career was at a crossroads, and his rise to prominence is a testament to perseverance, reinvention, and a little bit of Philly magic.
Let’s rewind to the eve of the 2023 season. Hoffman, a former No. 9 overall pick, failed to make the Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster and became a free agent. At that point, his career WAR sat at a meager 0.9, with a flat 0.0 WAR over the previous five seasons. It seemed like the baseball world had moved on. But then came a minor league deal with the Phillies, and by May 2023, Hoffman was back in the majors. What followed was a two-year tear that saw him post 3.5 WAR, ranking fifth among all relievers in that span. Now, Hoffman is a hot commodity, and the baseball world is buzzing with questions about his next move.
How Did Hoffman Turn It Around?
To understand Hoffman’s resurgence, you have to look back at where things went wrong. After being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Hoffman was traded to the Colorado Rockies in the Troy Tulowitzki deal. He showed promise in 2017 with a 1.1 WAR season, but injuries and ineffectiveness plagued his time with the Rockies and later the Cincinnati Reds. By the time he landed with the Twins in 2023, he was a long shot to make an impact.
Hoffman doesn’t shy away from discussing the struggles of his early career. “I was fed a lot of mechanical bulls— through my early years, coaches trying to make their mark,” he said. “If I would have picked and choosed through that stuff, I wouldn’t have ended up wasting a few years early in my career.”
But those struggles ultimately became the foundation for his success. Hoffman credits his turnaround to simplifying his approach and focusing on what worked for him. “When I stopped thinking about ‘Where’s my front side?’ or ‘When is my heel on the ground?’ and all that B.S., I was able to improve my command, my velocity got better, and I’m not necessarily trying to throw hard now, that’s just how it’s coming out,” he explained.
The Arsenal That Made Him Elite
Hoffman’s transformation wasn’t just mental—it was also about refining his pitch mix. His arsenal now includes a mid-90s fastball, an upper-80s slider, and a splitter that he describes as a “split-finger fastball.” He views his pitches as variations of a fastball, each with unique movement. “Fastball, slider, split all feel the same out of my hand, just the grip changes,” he said. “They all come out like I’m throwing 100 [mph] down the middle and the grip and spins take care of the movement.”
Interestingly, Hoffman’s breakout could have happened with the Twins, as he felt like his old self during spring training with Minnesota. “It was the beginning of my delivery getting back to what it looked like in college,” he said. But it was in Philadelphia where everything clicked, and his newfound velocity and command turned him into a late-inning weapon.
Starter or Reliever?
While Hoffman has thrived as a reliever, there’s growing chatter about him returning to a starting role. “I think I would be a great starter if given that opportunity again,” he said, pointing to the success of pitchers like Reynaldo Lopez and Jordan Hicks. “It would be totally different than the first go-round. I feel like I’m 24 years old again.”
Still, Hoffman loves the adrenaline of high-leverage situations. “All things being equal, I want to get the last out,” he said. Whether as a starter or reliever, Hoffman’s versatility makes him an intriguing option for teams this offseason.
What’s Next for Hoffman?
Hoffman’s time in Philadelphia has been special, and he’s not ruling out a return. “It’s hard to even explain what it feels like pitching in Philly, because of the noise, how in tune with the game [the fans] are,” he said. “It feels like the field surface is alive.”
But if he does leave, Hoffman has one priority: winning. “The thing that’s most important to me is being on a contender, playing deep into October,” he said. “That’s what I want out of my next situation.”
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Hoffman. Will he stay in Philly, return to starting, or take his talents to a new contender? One thing is certain: Jeff Hoffman’s story is far from over.
Originally Written by: Kiley McDaniel
