David Hess

David James Hess

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.
• School Tennessee Technological University
• High School Tullahoma High School
• Debut May 12, 2018

• Born July 10, 1993 in Tullahoma, TN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher David Hess made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles early during the 2018 season. As if being a member of the pitching staff of one of the worst teams in major league history was not embarrassing enough, he suffered an injury before a game on September 7th. Playing catch with a football before a game, he was hit in the eye and had to receive medical attention; someone kindly provided him with an LSU football helmet when he returned to the team halfway through the game. "Next time I've just got to move my head or catch the ball," he commented after the incident. He finished his rookie season with a record of 3-10, 4.88 in 21 games, logging 103 1/3 innings.

His first start of the 2019 season on April 1st was a memorable one, as he kept the Toronto Blue Jays hitless through 6 1/3 innings, before new manager Brandon Hyde removed him due to a predetermined pitch count limit, having thrown 82 pitches. He struck out 8 and walked 1 and had a comfortable 6-0 lead when he was lifted in favor of Pedro Araujo. Araujo proceeded to issue a walk and then a two-run homer to Randal Grichuk to break the no-hit bid. The bullpen almost squandered the lead too, allowing one more run in the 8th and 2 in the 9th before Richard Bleier was able to strike out Lourdes Gurriel with the tying run on third base, giving Hess credit for the 6-5 win.

He was diagnosed with cancer following the 2021 season, when a scan revealed a large tumor pressing on his heart and lungs. He had been experiencing unusual shortness of breath after exercising, which prompted him to undergo the exam. The tumor was life-threatening and he underwent immediate surgery, which was successful. He made it back to the mound on June 21, 2022, pitching for the AAA Durham Bulls, needing just 9 pitches to complete a scoreless relief inning in a 9-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

Further Reading

• Adam Berry: "Hess on the mend after cancer treatment: Minors deal with Rays 'a breath of fresh air in a pretty stressful time'", mlb.com, February 4, 2022. [1]
• Tyler Maun: "Back from cancer, Hess dominates for Durham", mlb.com, June 22, 2022. [2]

Related Sites

• David Hess at mlb.com