Ben Hornbeck

Benjamin Charles Hornbeck

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 5", Weight 180 lb.
• School Kansas State University
• High School Sunnyslope High School
• Born July 22, 1987 in Phoenix, AZ USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Ben Hornbeck pitched in the Oakland Athletics system from 2008 to 2011. He was constantly shuffled around, never spending a whole season with one team and playing at three different levels in a campaign twice. He reached Triple-A for the first—and only—time in 2011.

He was originally taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 48th round of the 2005 amateur draft, but opted not to sign. He did sign after being taken by the Athletics in the 32nd round of the 2008 amateur draft, one pick ahead of pitcher Sam Freeman. He was signed by scout Yancy Ayres.

He made 21 relief appearances between the Kane County Cougars and Vancouver Canadians his first year, striking out 45 in 35 1/3 innings and posting a 4.58 ERA. In 2009, he was 9-5 with a 3.17 ERA in 29 games (16 starts) between Kane County, the Stockton Ports and Midland RockHounds, striking out 159 in 116 1/3 innings, while allowing just 88 hits. In 2010, he slipped to 9-6, 4.85 in 26 games (25 starts) between Stockton and Midland, though he still averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Wrapping up his career in 2011, Hornbeck played for Stockton, Midland and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, going 1-0 with a 3.22 ERA in 17 relief appearances; in 22 1/3 innings, he had 30 Ks. With Sacramento, he was 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 6 appearances.

Overall, Hornbeck went 22-13 with a 4.06 ERA in 93 games (41 starts). In 305 2/3 innings, he allowed 302 hits and 132 walks (1.420 WHIP), while striking out 372 batters (11.0 K/9 IP).