Royals re-sign hard-throwing pitcher Jesse Hahn
Right-handed pitcher Jesse Hahn certainly didn’t twist in the wind for very long. Hahn, who’d been non-tendered by the Kansas City Royals on Dec. 2, re-signed with the club on Friday.
Hahn signed a one-year major-league contract with a base salary of $600,000 and up to $200,000 in incentives, according to a source.
A 6-foot-4, 215-pound Connecticut native, Hahn appeared in six games in relief, all in September, for the Royals in 2019. He also made four appearances in the minors as he rehabbed from reconstructive surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
He hadn’t pitched in the majors in two years when pitched in his first game for the Royals on September 5. In his 4 2/3 innings this season, he allowed seven runs on seven hits (one home run), and he also walked six and struck out seven. His fastball averaged 95.2 mph.
For his 59-game career in the majors, Hahn has a 4.33 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP, 109 walks and 219 strikeouts.
The Royals acquired Hahn and right-handed pitcher Heath Fillmyer from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for designated hitter Brandon Moss and left-handed pitcher Ryan Buchter in January 2018.
Hahn had been a starter most of his career, but he’s worked out of the bullpen since his elbow injury. Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in November that the club planned on using Hahn out of the bullpen in 2020.
Following Hahn’s signing, the Royals’ 40-man roster currently has 38 players.
