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Danny Hultzen Makes Significant Pledge to Virginia Baseball Program
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Danny Hultzen, a former three-time All-American at Virginia and currently a pitcher in the Seattle Mariners’ organization, has made a $100,000 commitment to the baseball program for improvements to UVa’s Davenport Field. Hultzen was selected second overall in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Mariners.
“I am thrilled and honored to contribute back to the Virginia baseball program,” Hultzen said. “Virginia has done so much for me. My experiences at UVa have been critical in helping me grow into the player and the man that I am today, and I would not be where I am without my time there. I had an amazing experience at Virginia, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to UVa and help the program and its players remain among the best in college baseball.”
Hultzen was 32-5 with a 2.08 ERA (74 ER, 320.0 IP) in 51 games (50 starts) in his college career. He holds the Virginia career wins record with 32 victories and also owns the Cavaliers’ career strikeout record with 395. He ranks in the top 10 in UVa history in ERA (2.08), innings pitched (320.0), win percentage (.865) and games started (50).
Hultzen won the 2011 John Olerud Two-Way Player Award, presented to the top two-way player in college baseball. He was a three-time first-team All-ACC selection and twice was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year. He succeeded in the classroom as well and was a Capital One First-Team Academic All-American in 2011.
Hultzen went 12-3 with a 1.37 ERA in 18 starts during his junior season for Virginia in 2011. He limited opponents to a .184 batting average, while striking out 165 batters and walking only 23 in 118.0 innings. His 1.37 ERA was the fifth-lowest in Division I, while his 165 strikeouts ranked second and were the most in a single season in Cavaliers history. He also hit .309 with 18 runs scored, 14 extra-base hits and 35 RBI in 43 games.
“During Danny Hultzen’s three years at UVa, he was 100 percent committed to help make our baseball program the best it can be,” UVa head coach Brian O’Connor said. “Now to see Danny’s continued commitment to Virginia baseball shows his respect for his career in a Cavalier uniform.”
After signing with the Mariners in mid-August, Hultzen made his professional debut in the Arizona Fall League in October and was a standout there, posting a 1.40 ERA in 19.1 innings of work. He was one of the starting pitchers in the AFL’s Rising Stars Game and earned the win in that contest. He recently was ranked by MLB.com as the 16th-best prospect in professional baseball.
Career Notes on Hultzen:
* Holds UVa career wins record with 32 wins; he tied for 14th in ACC history in career victories
* Broke the Virginia career strikeout record set by Seth Greisinger (290 strikeouts from 1994-96); finished fourth in ACC history with 395 strikeouts
* Also ranks second in career innings at UVa (320.0)
* Concluded career with 2.08 ERA, which is second in school history and 16th in ACC history
* His .865 winning percentage ranks second in Virginia history and 14th in ACC history
* Averaged 11.11 strikeouts per nine innings, which stands 14th in the ACC annals