Hubbry Logo
Josh HaderJosh HaderMain
Open search
Josh Hader
Community hub
Josh Hader
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Josh Hader
Josh Hader
Josh Hader
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Joshua Ronald Hader (born April 7, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres. Hader is a six-time All-Star and three-time winner of the National League Reliever of the Year Award.

Key Information

The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 19th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He was traded twice, including to the Astros, before joining the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2015. Hader played for the United States national team in the Pan American Games in 2015 and appeared in the All-Star Futures Game in 2016. As a member of the Brewers, Hader made his MLB debut in 2017. In 2021, he became the fastest pitcher in major league history to reach 400 strikeouts. The Brewers traded Hader to the Padres in 2022. Hader signed with the Astros in 2024. Since 2018, Hader has made six All-Star and three All-MLB First Team appearances.

Early life

[edit]

Hader attended Old Mill High School in Millersville, Maryland, where he played for the school's baseball team. As a senior, Hader had a 10–0 win–loss record, a 0.30 earned run average (ERA), and 125 strikeouts. He also had a batting average above .400 and hit four homeruns. After graduating from high school, Hader was prepared to enroll at Anne Arundel Community College.[1][2]

Professional career

[edit]

Baltimore Orioles (2012–2013)

[edit]

The Baltimore Orioles selected Hader in the 19th round of the 2012 MLB draft, with the 582nd overall selection.[3][4] He signed with the Orioles for a $40,000 signing bonus, rather than attend Anne Arundel.[1][3] Beginning his professional career, Hader's fastball velocity increased, from 84–88 miles per hour (135–142 km/h) as a high school player, to 94–95 miles per hour (151–153 km/h) as he changed his workout routine.[5]

Hader played for the Gulf Coast Orioles in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and the Aberdeen Ironbirds of the Low-A New York–Penn League, allowing only 14 hits and nine walks while striking out 48 in 28+2⁄3 innings pitched.[2] In 2013, the Orioles assigned Hader to the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Single-A South Atlantic League (SAL). He appeared in the SAL All-Star Game,[5] and through July 31, pitched to a 3–6 record with 79 strikeouts and a 2.65 ERA in 17 games started.[3]

Houston Astros (2013–2015)

[edit]

On July 31, 2013, the day of the MLB trade deadline, the Orioles traded Hader and L. J. Hoes to the Houston Astros in exchange for Bud Norris.[1][3] He completed his 2013 season with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Single-A Midwest League.[6]

Pitching for the Lancaster JetHawks of the High-A California League in 2014, Hader and two relief pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter on May 13.[7] After pitching to a 9–2 record with a league-leading 2.70 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 103+1⁄3 innings, the Astros promoted him to the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Double-A Texas League in August. He was named the California League Pitcher of the Year.[8] Hader returned to Corpus Christi in the 2015 season.[9] He was selected to play for the United States national baseball team in the 2015 Pan American Games.[10]

Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2022)

[edit]

On July 30, 2015, the Astros traded Hader, Brett Phillips, Domingo Santana, and Adrian Houser to the Milwaukee Brewers for Carlos Gómez and Mike Fiers.[11] The Brewers assigned Hader to the Biloxi Shuckers of the Double-A Southern League.[12] He finished the season with a 3.03 ERA combined.

The Brewers invited him to spring training in 2016.[13] Hader began the 2016 season with Biloxi, and made his first start for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League on June 12.[14] He was selected to appear in the 2016 All-Star Futures Game.[15] The Brewers added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[16]

Hader began the 2017 season with Colorado Springs. The Brewers promoted him to the major leagues on June 9.[17] He made his major league debut on June 10.[18]

Hader began 2018 in the Milwaukee bullpen. On April 30, Hader became the first pitcher ever to record eight strikeouts in an outing that was less than three innings long. He recorded a 2+2⁄3-inning save against the Cincinnati Reds, in which he faced nine batters, recording eight strikeouts and one walk.[19] Owning a 1.21 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 44 innings, Hader was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.[20] Hader appeared in the 2018 All-Star Game at the top of the eighth inning. During his appearance, he gave up hits to Rangers' Shin-Soo Choo and Astros' George Springer before Mariners' Jean Segura hit a home run to left field to give the American All-Stars a 5–2 lead.[21][22] After giving up a single to Boston Red Sox baseman Mitch Moreland, Hader was replaced after 26 pitches, allowing four hits and one out over five batters.[23]

Hader during a game in 2019

In 2018, Hader was 6–1 with 12 saves and a 2.43 ERA. He had 143 strikeouts in 81+1⁄3 innings. Among MLB pitchers who threw at least 20 innings, Hader held left-handed batters to the lowest batting average (.088).[24] He won the National League Reliever of the Year Award,[25] becoming the first non-full-time closer to win the award.

Hader began the 2019 season as the Brewers' closer following injuries to fellow relievers Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder strain) and Corey Knebel (Tommy John surgery). On March 30, Hader pitched an immaculate inning to earn the save against the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out Tyler O'Neill, Dexter Fowler, and Yairo Munoz on nine consecutive strikes, seven of which were swinging strikes.[26] Hader received the NL Reliever of the Month Award for both May and June.[27] In the 2019 National League Wild Card Game, Hader blew the save for the Brewers, giving up a three-run single to Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals, which, coupled with an error from right fielder Trent Grisham, led to Washington's go-ahead run scoring on the play and resulted in the Brewers eventually losing the game.[28] Hader finished his 2019 season with a 3–5 record, a 2.62 ERA, and 138 strikeouts over 72+2⁄3 relief innings. He won his second consecutive NL Reliever of the Year Award.[29]

Hader began the 2020 season with 12 consecutive hitless appearances, the longest such streak in major league history.[30] Hader finished the season with a 3.79 ERA and an NL-leading 13 saves in 15 chances.

On May 8, 2021, Hader reached 400 strikeouts faster than any other pitcher in MLB history, doing so in 234+2⁄3 innings pitched, breaking the prior record of 236 innings, which had been set by Craig Kimbrel in 2014.[31] For July, Hader was named NL Reliever of the Month, the fourth time he won the award.[32] On September 11, Hader pitched the ninth inning to close out a combined no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.[33] He finished the 2021 season with 34 saves in 35 opportunities; he recorded a career-low 1.23 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 58+2⁄3 innings.

San Diego Padres (2022–2023)

[edit]

After beginning the 2022 season with 25 saves in 27 appearances and a 1.05 ERA, Hader’s pitching declined during the summer, and on August 1, the Brewers traded him to the San Diego Padres for Taylor Rogers, Dinelson Lamet, Esteury Ruiz, and Robert Gasser.[34] He made his Padres debut the following day, earning the win against the Colorado Rockies.[35] However, his struggles continued, including a stretch of earning only two saves in 13 appearances, with an increased ERA of 6.52. On August 20, the Padres announced that they would use a closer committee to give Hader a 'little break' from save chances.[36] He regained his all-star form in September, and was instrumental in the Padres' postseason run.[37]

On January 13, 2023, Hader signed a one-year, $14.1 million contract with the Padres, avoiding salary arbitration.[38] Hader was named the NL Reliever of the Month for April after recording 10 saves and holding opposing batters to a .093 batting average while allowing only one run in 13 innings pitched.[39] He became a free agent following the season.

Houston Astros (2024–present)

[edit]

On January 22, 2024, Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Houston Astros.[40][41] Hader earned his first win as an Astro on April 30, while making his first two-inning appearance since 2019 and first of at least four outs since August 14, 2020, as Víctor Caratini hit a pinch hit, walk-off, two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning.[42] On August 10, against the Boston Red Sox, Hader converted his 25th consecutive save opportunity, surpassing Brad Lidge's franchise record of 24,[43] and extended that streak to 29 total.[44] For the month of August, Hader surrendered one earned run over 13+1⁄3 innings (0.68 ERA), 0.60 WHIP and .071 BAA, and was recognized as American League (AL) Reliever of the Month, his seventh career monthly award.[45]

On September 13, 2024, Hader recorded his 30th save, reaching the milestone for a fourth consecutive season, as the Astros collected the 5,000th win in franchise history by defeating the Los Angeles Angels, 5–3.[46] Hader made 71 regular season appearances in 2024, posting an 8–8 record, 3.80 ERA, 71 innings, 43 hits, 12 home runs, and 25 walks surrendered and 105 strikeouts. He was ninth in the AL in appearances, second in games finished (62) and second in saves (34); both his appearances and games finished totals represented career highs.[47]

Hader earned his 200th career save on Opening Day, 2025, when he struck out Juan Soto of the New York Mets with two runners on to secure a 3–1 Astros win.[48] Hader earned the save of the 7–4 win over the Chicago Cubs on June 27, his 22nd straight converted to start the 2025 season, which surpassed Dave Smith's club record accomplished in 1989.[49] For June, Hader surrendered 3 earned runs over 13+2⁄3 innings (1.98 ERA) and struck out 22 batters, and was recognized as American League (AL) Reliever of the Month, his eighth career monthly award.[50] On July 6, Hader was announced as a reserve pitcher for the American League at the MLB All-Star Game, his sixth career selection.[51] He made 48 total appearances for Houston, compiling a 6-2 record and 2.05 ERA with 76 strikeouts and 28 saves across 52+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 15, Hader was diagnosed with a capsule sprain in his left shoulder, and missed the remainder of the year.[52]

Personal life

[edit]

Hader is the son of Tom and Patricia Hader.[53] Hader is married to Maria Hader.[54] The couple's first child was born in June 2022.[55]

During the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, a series of tweets by Hader ranging from mid-2011 to late-2012 were discovered to contain racist, homophobic and sexist content.[56][57] Friends and family of Hader who were invited to the game were given blank jerseys to wear due to the controversy.[58][59] Hader issued an apology after the game and deleted his account on Twitter.[60][61]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Josh Hader

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Joshua Ronald Hader (born April 7, 1994) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher for the Houston Astros of (MLB). Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Old Mill High School in , Hader made his MLB debut with the Brewers in after being traded to them in 2015. He quickly emerged as one of the league's premier closers, earning six selections and leading the National League in saves in 2018 and 2019 with 42 and 41, respectively. Hader's signature high-velocity , often exceeding 98 mph, combined with a devastating , has produced career-high strikeout rates, including a 50.3% rate in 2018 that set a modern record for relievers. Traded to the Padres in 2022 and signing a five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros in January 2024, he contributed to postseason efforts, including a appearance with in 2018. In July 2018, during the MLB , resurfaced tweets from Hader's high school years (2011–2012) containing racial slurs, homophobic remarks, and references to drew widespread attention and prompted an immediate apology from Hader, who described them as "inexcusable and racist." Despite the backlash, Hader received support from Brewers fans and teammates upon his return, continuing to perform at an elite level without further public incidents of that nature. Off the field, Hader and his wife Maria have engaged in , leading to his nomination for the 2025 by the Astros for charitable efforts in .

Early life

Upbringing and family background

Joshua Ronald Hader was born on April 7, 1994, in , an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County located approximately 18 miles south of . He grew up in the same area, where his family has remained based. Hader is the son of Tom Hader and Patricia Hader, both American nationals residing in . His father, Tom, expressed early confidence in Josh's potential during his high school years. Limited public details exist regarding siblings or dynamics, though Hader has referenced spending weekends with foster children hosted by his grandparents in , reflecting early exposure to community support roles.

Amateur baseball career

Hader attended Old Mill High School in , graduating in 2012. He began playing organized at age three and competed for the school's as a , , and . As a senior in 2012, Hader posted a perfect 10-0 record with a 0.39 and 125 over an unspecified number of , demonstrating dominant control and strikeout ability against high school competition. His fastball velocity sat around 85 mph during this period, which later increased significantly in professional development. These performances ranked him highly in and nationally in select pitching categories per available prep tracking data. Following his high school season, the Baltimore Orioles selected Hader in the 19th round, 582nd overall, of the 2012 June Amateur Draft directly out of Old Mill High School. He signed with the organization rather than attend a to which he had initially committed.

Professional career

Minor league beginnings with Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros (2012–2015)

Hader was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19th round, 582nd overall, of the out of Old Mill High School in , and signed with the organization on June 21, 2012. In his debut professional season, he split time between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles, where he posted a 2-0 record with a 2.66 over 12 appearances (20.1 , 35 strikeouts, 7 walks), and the short-season Class A , recording a 0.00 in 5 relief outings (8.1 innings, 13 strikeouts, 2 walks). In 2013, Hader advanced to full-season Class A with the Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League, compiling a 3-6 record with a 2.65 ERA across 17 starts (85 innings, 79 strikeouts against 42 walks and 4 home runs allowed), earning selection to the SAL Mid-Season All-Star Game. On July 31, 2013, the Orioles traded Hader and outfielder L. J. Hoes to the Houston Astros in exchange for pitcher Bud Norris. Joining the Astros' Class A Quad Cities River Bandits in the Midwest League, he went 2-0 with a 3.22 ERA in 5 starts (22.1 innings, 16 strikeouts, 12 walks). Hader spent most of 2014 with the Lancaster JetHawks in the hitter-friendly , achieving a 9-2 record and 2.70 in 22 appearances (15 starts), spanning 103.1 innings with 112 strikeouts, 38 walks, and 9 home runs allowed; his performance earned him the of the Year award and Astros of the Year honors. He received a late-season promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi , where he struggled with command in 5 outings (4 starts), posting a 1-1 mark and 6.30 over 20 innings (24 strikeouts, 16 walks). Opening the 2015 season back at Double-A with Corpus Christi, Hader recorded a 3-3 record and 3.17 in 17 games (10 starts), logging 65.1 with 69 and 24 walks. His time in the Astros' system highlighted emerging ability amid control challenges, setting the stage for further evaluation before his midseason trade to the Brewers.

Milwaukee Brewers tenure (2015–2022)

On July 30, 2015, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Josh Hader from the Houston Astros in a multi-player trade that sent outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitcher Mike Fiers to Houston, along with cash considerations, in exchange for Hader, outfielder Domingo Santana, outfielder Brett Phillips, and pitcher Adrian Houser. Hader, then a minor league pitcher, spent the remainder of 2015 and all of 2016 in the Brewers' farm system, primarily as a starter before transitioning to relief pitching. Hader made his MLB debut with the Brewers on June 10, 2017, appearing in 35 games as a left-handed setup reliever, posting a over 47.2 with 68 strikeouts and no saves. In 2018, he solidified his role in the , appearing in 55 games with a 2.43 , 6 wins against 1 loss, 12 saves, and a league-leading 143 strikeouts in 81.1 , earning his first selection. He received the National League Reliever of the Year Award for his performance. By 2019, following injuries to other relievers, Hader assumed the closer role, recording 37 saves in 61 appearances with a 2.62 and 138 strikeouts in 75.2 innings, while earning his second consecutive nod and Reliever of the Year honor. In the shortened 2020 season, he saved 13 games in 21 outings despite a 3.79 . Hader rebounded in 2021 with a dominant 1.23 over 60 games, 34 saves, and 102 strikeouts in 58.2 innings, setting a Brewers record with 35 consecutive scoreless appearances to start the season and winning his third Reliever of the Year Award, alongside another selection.
YearGames (G)Wins-Losses (W-L)Saves (SV) (IP)Strikeouts (SO)
2017352.082-3047.268
2018552.436-11281.1143
2019612.623-53775.2138
2020213.791-21319.031
2021601.234-23458.2102
2022374.241-42934.059
In 2022, Hader started strongly with 29 saves in 37 appearances and a fourth All-Star selection before struggling with a 4.24 ERA, leading to his trade to the San Diego Padres on August 1, 2022. Over his Brewers tenure from 2017 to 2022, Hader appeared in 269 relief games, compiling an 17-17 record, 2.48 ERA, and 125 saves, ranking second in franchise history for saves.

San Diego Padres stint (2022–2023)

On August 1, 2022, the Padres acquired Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers in a four-player trade that sent left-handed reliever , right-handed pitcher , outfield prospect , and left-handed pitching prospect Robert Gasser to . In 19 regular-season appearances with the Padres that year, Hader posted a 1-1 record with a 7.31 over 16 , allowing 17 hits, 13 earned runs, one , nine walks, and recording 22 strikeouts while securing 11 saves. Hader's performance improved markedly in the postseason, where he emerged as the Padres' primary closer during their run to the . He recorded saves in five of San Diego's six playoff victories, including a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a 100 mph in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies, and struck out eight consecutive batters across the NLDS and NLCS. In 2023, Hader appeared in 61 games for the Padres, compiling a 2-3 record with a 1.28 ERA in 56.1 innings, during which he allowed 32 hits, 11 home runs, 30 walks, and struck out 85 batters en route to a league-leading 33 saves among National League relievers. His save total established a single-season franchise record for the Padres. Hader departed San Diego as a free agent following the 2023 season.

Return to Houston Astros (2024–2025)

On January 22, 2024, Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros, the largest guaranteed deal for a in MLB history at the time, with an annual salary of $19 million plus potential incentives including $1 million for winning the Reliever of the Year Award. The agreement included provisions limiting his usage to protect his health, such as restrictions on consecutive appearances and pitch counts, reflecting lessons from prior workload concerns during his tenures with the Brewers and Padres. In the 2024 regular season, Hader appeared in 71 games for the Astros, recording 34 saves, 105 strikeouts, and a 3.80 over 56.1 , contributing to Houston's AL West division title and wild card berth. However, his performance drew mixed evaluations, with eight losses attributed partly to inherited runners and sequencing, leading some analysts to grade the signing lower due to the contract's cost relative to output. In the AL against the Detroit Tigers, Hader struggled decisively; on October 2, 2024, he entered a tied eighth-inning game but allowed a bases-clearing three-run double to Andy Ibañez, resulting in a 5-2 loss that ended Houston's season in a sweep. Hader rebounded strongly in 2025, posting a 2.05 , 76 strikeouts, and 28 saves in 48 appearances over 52.2 with a 0.85 before an August 12 shoulder strain sidelined him, disrupting the Astros' during their late-season push for the playoffs as the team finished 87-75 and second in the AL West. Early in the year, he demonstrated dominance with a sub-1.00 through his first 12 across 10 outings, including his 200th career save on against the . The injury, his first career stint on the , limited his availability for the stretch run but did not prevent his nomination as the Astros' candidate for the , recognizing his community efforts through the Hader Heart foundation.

Pitching style and mechanics

Pitch repertoire and velocity

Hader primarily utilizes a two-pitch mix dominated by a sinker and , with occasional changeups for variety, reflecting an evolution from his earlier reliance on a to emphasize movement and deception as a left-handed reliever. In 2025 with the Houston Astros, his sinker averaged 95.5 mph with 54% usage, exhibiting 18.5 inches of induced vertical break and 9.4 inches of horizontal break to generate ground balls and weak contact. His , serving as the primary pitch with a 55.2% whiff rate, averaged 83.3 mph and 41% usage, featuring sharp glove-side movement of 3.3 inches horizontally and minimal vertical drop. The , thrown at 88.7 mph with just 4% usage in 2025, provides arm-side run of 13.6 inches and serves as a tertiary option against opposite-handed hitters, though its limited deployment underscores Hader's preference for the sinker-slider combination. This repertoire has yielded positive run values, with contributing +9 and the sinker +3 for the season, supporting his effectiveness in high-leverage situations.
Pitch Type2025 Avg. Velocity (mph)2025 Usage (%)Key Characteristics
Sinker95.55418.5" IVB, 9.4" HB, 30.6% whiff rate
Slider83.3413.3" HB (glove), 55.2% whiff rate
Changeup88.7413.6" HB (arm), supplementary vs. RHB
In comparison, Hader's 2024 pitch mix leaned more heavily on the sinker at 71.4% usage and 96.1 mph average velocity, with the slider at 27.4% and 85.5 mph, indicating a slight velocity dip and increased slider reliance in 2025 potentially to enhance command and variability. His velocities have stabilized in the mid-90s for fastballs post-peak years exceeding 98 mph, prioritizing and movement over raw speed.

Approach to relief pitching and durability

Hader's approach to relief pitching centers on delivering maximum and swing-and-miss potential in high-leverage situations, primarily as a closer handling one-inning appearances to maintain arm freshness. He relies on a two-pitch mix dominated by a sinker averaging 96-99 mph and a hard , which together generate elite rates by inducing chases and weak contact. Early in his with the Brewers, Hader frequently logged multi-inning outings in a fireman role, appearing in 80 such games from 2017 to 2019 while accumulating 204.2 innings over 151 appearances, but he transitioned to stricter one-outing limits post-2020 to prioritize efficiency over volume. This shift included adjustments to his release point, raising his arm angle from 24 degrees in 2020 to 29 degrees by 2023, enhancing deception without altering core mechanics. To ensure durability, Hader negotiated unprecedented usage restrictions in his 2023 contract with the Astros, becoming the first to self-impose such clauses: no more than two consecutive outings, avoidance of three straight days pitched, a 60-pitch maximum outside , and minimized multi-inning stints unless in late-game high-leverage scenarios. These rules stemmed from his loss in 2020, where concerns factored into the Brewers' $2.25 million offer versus his $2.7 million request, prompting a focus on longevity over short-term maximization. Career-wise, Hader has maintained a heavy but controlled , logging over 50 in most full seasons since 2017, with 829 strikeouts across approximately 430 through 2025, reflecting sustained arm strength despite the reliever's inherent strain. However, Hader's durability faced a test in 2025 when a left sidelined him starting August 12, following discomfort in warm-ups after a multi-inning outing against the Rockies; he was placed on the 15-day and ruled unlikely to return during the , missing the stretch run despite 28 saves and a sixth All-Star nod earlier that year. This injury, described as a capsule requiring a three-week throwing shutdown, underscored the risks of deviating from his preferred short-burst protocol, though prior seasons showed resilience with minimal downtime. Overall, his strategy balances dominance—evidenced by sub-2.00 ERAs in multiple seasons—with proactive health management, allowing consistent availability in save situations while mitigating overuse common among relievers.

Achievements and statistical milestones

Major awards and All-Star selections

Hader has been selected to six All-Star Games, representing the Brewers in , 2019, 2021, and 2022; the Padres in 2023; and the Houston Astros in 2025. These selections highlight his consistent dominance as a late-inning reliever, with performances including 1.1 scoreless innings and five strikeouts in the 2018 game. He won the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award three times, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, becoming the first pitcher to achieve three consecutive victories in the honor, which recognizes the top reliever based on statistics such as ERA, saves, and strikeouts. In 2019, Hader also earned a spot on the All-MLB First Team as relief pitcher, reflecting his league-leading 1.28 ERA and 33 saves that season.
YearAwardLeague/Team
2019All-MLB First Team (Relief Pitcher)National League, Milwaukee Brewers
2019Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the YearNational League
2020Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the YearNational League
2021Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the YearNational League

Saves records and strikeout dominance

Hader established himself as one of Major League Baseball's premier closers during his tenure with the Brewers, leading the National League in saves with 37 in 2019, a franchise record for the team and the highest total by a left-handed reliever in Brewers history. That season, he converted 37 of 41 save opportunities, contributing to Milwaukee's postseason appearance while maintaining a 2.51 over 60 appearances. He also posted 34 saves in 2021, tying for second in the NL, and amassed multiple 30-plus save seasons, underscoring his reliability in high-leverage situations. With the Astros in 2024, Hader set a franchise record with 25 consecutive converted saves, highlighting his late-career consistency despite an initial slow start. In strikeouts, Hader demonstrated exceptional dominance, particularly from to , when his career-high 143 strikeouts in and 16.4 K/9 rate in ranked among the highest for relievers in MLB history. His career K/9 of 14.2 reflects sustained whiff generation, fueled by a mid-90s and devastating , leading to a 41.1% career percentage. In September , Hader set an MLB record with 16 consecutive outs via over five outings, the most in the expansion era. Earlier that year, he became the first pitcher since saves became official in to record eight strikeouts in a save opportunity of fewer than two , exemplifying his overpowering style in closing scenarios. By 2021, Hader had accumulated strikeouts at a historic pace, reaching 400 career strikeouts in just 234⅔ , faster than any previous MLB pitcher. These feats, combined with 829 career strikeouts, position him as a benchmark for efficiency.

Controversies

2018 social media revelations and response

In July , during the MLB All-Star Game on July 17, tweets posted by Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader between 2011 and 2012, when he was 17 and 18 years old, were publicly resurfaced and widely reported. The messages included racist slurs directed at individuals, homophobic epithets, misogynistic references, and endorsements of "white power," among other derogatory content. Hader, who had just pitched a scoreless eighth in the game, made his account private shortly after the tweets gained attention. Hader issued a public apology later that evening, stating he was "young, immature and stupid" at the time of the posts and emphasizing that the views expressed did not reflect his current beliefs or character. He acknowledged not vividly remembering sending all the messages but took full responsibility, expressing remorse for any hurt caused. responded by mandating that Hader undergo and engage in the league's diversity and inclusion programs, with no further disciplinary action such as suspension. On July 20, 2018, prior to a Brewers game following the break, Hader addressed his teammates in the clubhouse, delivering a tearful apology where he reiterated his regret and commitment to personal growth. Teammates, including outfielder and newcomer , voiced support, emphasizing that Hader had matured since his teenage years and condemning the content while accepting his accountability. Hader's family, present at the , publicly demonstrated solidarity by altering their apparel to remove references to his jersey number amid the scrutiny. The incident drew broader commentary on accountability for public figures, but Hader faced no long-term professional repercussions in 2018, continuing to perform effectively for the Brewers.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Hader married Maria Macias on November 30, 2019, after dating during his career and becoming engaged in November 2018. The marked their fifth wedding anniversary in December 2024 with a romantic candlelight dinner. Hader and his wife welcomed their first child, son Lucas Alexander Hader, on June 15, 2022, following pregnancy complications including placenta previa diagnosed in May 2022 that required Maria's hospitalization. Lucas has attended All-Star Games with his parents, including as an infant in 2023 and again in 2025. Hader was raised by his parents, Tom Hader and Patricia Hader, in ; extended family members have frequently attended his games to provide support.

Off-field activities and business ventures

Hader co-founded the Hader’s Heart program in 2024 with his wife Maria, a monthly initiative that provides children and young adults transitioning out of the system with experiences at Houston Astros games, including suite access, batting practice on the field, and interactions with Hader and teammates. The program alternates beneficiaries between , which supports at-risk children involved with and their caregivers in , and , which aids young adults at risk of homelessness upon aging out of . Hader's commitment to youth stems from his childhood exposure to his grandparents fostering children in . In previous cities, Hader organized fundraisers and visited the Monarch School Project in to support unhoused youth, and partnered with Camp Hometown Heroes in to host week-long camps for families of fallen service members, including selling T-shirts to raise funds. On September 15, 2025, Hader was named the Houston Astros' nominee for the MLB , recognizing extraordinary community service. He has also participated in toy drives for at-risk children and events like Uncork for a Cause, where attendees purchase and have him sign bottles of charity wine to benefit youth causes. Hader owns the JH71 brand, through which he sells official apparel such as T-shirts via an online store. He serves on the Rawlings MLB Advisory Staff, providing input on . Additionally, Hader has endorsed including PowerNet for training products.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/astros/player/josh-hader-623352
  2. https://www.mlb.com/news/one-fact-to-know-about-every-all-star-player-c286090888
  3. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-apologizes-for-offensive-tweets-c286339762
  4. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24126018/josh-hader-milwaukee-brewers-apologizes-old-inappropriate-tweets
  5. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24161011/josh-hader-returns-brewers-mound-twitter-scandal-applause
  6. https://www.mlb.com/community/roberto-clemente-award/astros
  7. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2022/04/11/brewers-josh-hader-maryland-native-dreamed-playing-camden-yards-baltimore/7274511001/
  8. https://heavy.com/sports/2018/07/josh-hader-family-parents-wife-father/
  9. https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/josh-hader-parents
  10. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-up-for-2025-roberto-clemente-award
  11. https://www.ncsasports.org/baseball-recruiting/maryland/millersville/old-mill-high-school/joshua-hader
  12. https://www.maxpreps.com/md/millersville/old-mill-patriots/athletes/josh-hader/bio/?careerid=b6jlp93sbpjdd
  13. https://mlblogsnofavoriteteam.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/q-and-a-with-josh-hader/
  14. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-44278142
  15. https://www.maxpreps.com/md/millersville/old-mill-patriots/athletes/josh-hader/?careerid=b6jlp93sbpjdd
  16. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haderjo01.shtml
  17. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/170920/
  18. https://www.milb.com/player/josh-hader-623352
  19. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hader-000jos
  20. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-55389108
  21. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-95122036
  22. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=haderjo01
  23. https://fox6now.com/sports/brewers-trading-josh-hader-report-mlb-fox
  24. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-brewers-acquire-four-players-from-san-diego
  25. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-traded-to-padres
  26. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/brewers-trade-josh-hader-padres.html
  27. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/pitching.php?y=2022&t=SDN
  28. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-most-dominant-closer-in-2022-playoffs
  29. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-seals-padres-2022-nlcs-game-2-win
  30. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/pitching.php?y=2023&t=SDN
  31. https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/stats?category=pitching&sort=sv&season=2023&seasonType=reg&sortOrder=desc
  32. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39344458/josh-hader-astros-agree-record-five-year-95m-deal-source-says
  33. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-deal-with-astros
  34. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40186833/mlb-2024-josh-hader-usage-rules-contract-brewers-astros
  35. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/josh-hader-stats-2024
  36. https://www.si.com/mlb/astros/news/houston-astros-receive-underwhelming-mark-in-re-grading-of-josh-hader-signing
  37. https://nypost.com/2024/10/03/sports/josh-hader-is-95-million-astros-disaster-in-tigers-al-wild-card-sweep/
  38. https://www.si.com/mlb/josh-hader-astros-big-money-gamble-tigers-fell-apart
  39. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/2044482/josh-hader/
  40. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-dominating-for-astros-2025
  41. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/houston-roster-analysis-bullpen-21112462.php
  42. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/josh-hader-623352?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb
  43. https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2024/1/23/24047032/profiling-new-astros-reliever-josh-hader
  44. https://www.reddit.com/r/[baseball](/page/Baseball)/comments/16sj647/in_2020_josh_hader_lost_in_arbitration_to_the/
  45. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/houston-josh-hader-relief-pitcher-20295095.php
  46. https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/16sj647/in_2020_josh_hader_lost_in_arbitration_to_the/
  47. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-likely-out-for-rest-of-regular-season-for-astros
  48. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/08/astros-josh-hader-injured-list-shoulder-strain-hector-neris-dfa.html
  49. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/injuries-put-the-seasons-of-zack-wheeler-and-josh-hader-in-doubt/
  50. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/32760/josh-hader
  51. https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/2018-allstar-game.shtml
  52. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-2021-nl-reliever-of-the-year
  53. https://www.mlb.com/awards/2021
  54. https://www.mlb.com/awards/2019
  55. https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1ep5guo/josh_hader_has_set_the_astros_singleseason/
  56. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23494112/meet-josh-hader-unlikely-face-mlb-strikeout-revolution
  57. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/josh-hader-strikeout-percentage-career
  58. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-sets-two-mlb-strikeout-records-c295609468
  59. https://www.facebook.com/groups/638346063867723/posts/1251318895903767/
  60. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/ugly-tweets-from-brewers-josh-hader-surface-during-mlb-all-star-game/2018/07/18/7de58772-8a42-11e8-a345-a1bf7847b375_story.html
  61. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/allstar/2018/07/18/josh-hader-twitter-all-star-game/794751002/
  62. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/sports/josh-hader.html
  63. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24130675/major-league-baseball-require-milwaukee-brewers-pitcher-josh-hader-take-sensitivity-training
  64. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24152700/josh-hader-apologizes-milwaukee-brewers-teammates-tweets
  65. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-apologizes-to-brewers-for-tweets-c286553974
  66. https://www.mlb.com/news/brewers-players-react-to-josh-hader-tweets-c286472666
  67. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/18/josh-hader-racist-homophobic-tweets-all-star-game
  68. https://www.npr.org/2018/07/30/633933951/offensive-tweets-remind-major-leaguers-that-on-social-media-the-past-is-never-pa
  69. https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-in-photos-josh-hader-wife-maria-celebrate-5th-wedding-anniversary-romantic-candlelight-dinner
  70. https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/josh-hader-wife
  71. https://nypost.com/2022/06/21/josh-haders-wife-gives-birth-month-after-pregnancy-complications/
  72. https://nypost.com/2022/05/23/josh-hader-away-from-brewers-over-wifes-pregnancy-complications/
  73. https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-hader-excited-to-enjoy-2025-all-star-game-with-family
  74. https://www.mlb.com/astros/community/uncork-for-a-cause
  75. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/astros-announce-josh-hader-news-182850634.html
  76. https://joshuahader.store/
  77. https://www.rawlings.com/rawlings-advisors-mlb.html
  78. https://bookingagentinfo.com/brands/powernet/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.