Detroit Tigers: Andy Van Hekken attempting major league comeback
By David Hill
It has been 15 years since Andy Van Hekken pitched in the majors for the Detroit Tigers. Nonetheless, he is aiming to return to the major leagues.
Andy Van Hekken had an impressive debut for the Detroit Tigers. Facing the Cleveland Indians on September 3, 2002, he fired a complete game shutout, allowing eight hits and two walks, striking out one. That would prove to be his only win of the year, as he made five starts in September, posting a 1-3 record, with a decent 3.00 ERA and a 1.467 WHiP. Although he allowed only six walks, Van Hekken also struck out only five batters in his 30 innings. Clearly, he needed a bit more time to develop before returning to the majors.
That return to the majors never came. He spent spent two more years in the Tigers organization before beginning his career as a baseball vagabond. Now 38 years old, Van Hekken has been a part of six different major league organizations, and has pitched in nine different countries. He has spent the past six years in Korea, pitching well in the Korean Baseball Organization, as he has posted a 73-42 record, along with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.319 WHiP, strong marks in the offensively charged league. Even more impressively, he has struck out 860 batters while issuing only 299 walks in 925.2 innings.
Yet, even with all of that success in Korea, Van Hekken has still desired one more chance at the majors. He is still working out three times a week, hoping for that call to come in, giving him that second chance he so desperately wants.
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His timing for the potential comeback could not be worse. Over 100 free agents remain unsigned, leaving Van Hekken as a name that has not generated any attention. And, with his last appearance in the majors coming over 15 years ago, it is hard to imagine that will change in the near future.
Yet, he is not the same pitcher he was as a 23 year old with the Tigers. Van Hekken has learned the forkball in Korea, and has mastered the pitch. Combined with his high 80s fastball, he has seen his strikeout rate climb, and his ground ball rate increase, since adding the new pitch to his arsenal.
If that call is to come, it may not be as a starter. Left handed pitchers that can generate ground balls are a valuable commodity, and Van Hekken could get a look as a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. Of course, for that to happen, there would need to be a lot more movement in free agency than we have seen thus far.
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Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Andy Van Hekken is not giving up on a return to the majors just yet. If he returns more than 15 years after his last major league pitch, it would be quite the story.