Justyn-Henry Malloy Explained

Justyn-Henry Malloy
Team:Detroit Tigers
Number:44
Position:Outfielder / Third baseman
Birth Date:19 February 2000
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:June 3
Debutyear:2024
Debutteam:Detroit Tigers
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:August 17, 2024
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.217
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:8
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:20
Teams:

Justyn-Henry Conrad Malloy (born February 19, 2000) is an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Early life and amateur career

Malloy grew up in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and attended Saint Joseph Regional High School. He committed to attend Vanderbilt University after his freshman year, during which he batted .329 with five home runs and 31 RBIs.[1] Malloy began his college baseball with the Vanderbilt Commodores. He played mostly as a reserve for the Commodores over two seasons.[2] After his sophomore season, Malloy transferred to Georgia Tech.[3] In his only season with the Yellow Jackets, he batted .308 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs.[4]

Professional career

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves selected Malloy in the sixth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[5] After signing with the team for a bonus of $297,500,[6] he was assigned to the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets.[7] Malloy was assigned to the High-A Rome Braves at the beginning of the 2022 season.[8] He slashed .304/.409/.479 with 10 home runs, 16 doubles, and 44 RBIs in 71 games with Rome before being promoted to the Double-A Mississippi Braves in July.[9] Malloy appeared in 54 games with Mississippi, hit for a .268 batting average with 11 doubles, six home runs, 31 RBI, .403 OBP, and .824 OPS, and was promoted to the Gwinnett Braves in September.[10] After the 2022 Minor League Baseball season ended, MILB.com considered Malloy an organizational All-Star.[11] He was assigned to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League in the 2022 offseason.[12] In the AFL, Malloy primarily played left field, a position he had started playing upon his promotion to Mississippi.[13] [14]

Detroit Tigers

On December 7, 2022, Malloy was traded to the Detroit Tigers along with LHP Jake Higginbotham in exchange for Joe Jiménez.[15] [16] Malloy was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens to begin the 2023 season.[17] He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game at midseason.[18] In 136 games, Malloy batted .277/.417/.474 with 23 home runs and 83 RBI.

On June 3, 2024, Malloy was selected off the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[19] Malloy's first major league hit was a 413-foot home run on June 5 against the Texas Rangers. It was the Tigers only hit off Rangers starter José Ureña, and broke up a perfect game in the sixth inning.[20] His third home run on June 30 was an inside-the-park homer off Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels. It was the Tigers first inside-the-park home run since Victor Reyes in 2021, and the first at Angels Stadium since 2019 (Tommy La Stella).[21] On July 21, Malloy recorded his first career grand slam off Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays.[22] On August 19, Malloy was send back to the Mud Hens after batted .217 with 8 home runs and 20 RBI in 180 games.[23]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How playing with Team USA has St. Joseph (Mont.) star Justyn-Henry Malloy playing elite ball. Braulio. Perez. NJ.com. June 6, 2016. July 12, 2022.
  2. Web site: Vanderbilt 1B/DH Justyn-Henry Malloy enters NCAA transfer portal. Robbie. Weinstein. 247Sports.com. May 2, 2020. July 12, 2022.
  3. Web site: Sugiura . Ken . June 3, 2021 . At NCAA regional, 'full-circle' return for Georgia Tech's Malloy . July 12, 2022 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  4. Web site: Georgia Tech's 3 draftees overcame disappointment, failing, injury. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. July 15, 2021. July 12, 2022.
  5. Web site: Bet pays huge dividends as Atlanta Braves select Malloy in 6th round of 2021 MLB Draft. Kevin. Minnick. NJ.com. July 13, 2021. July 12, 2022.
  6. News: Bowman . Mark . Braves sign Smith-Shawver, Collins, Malloy . October 22, 2022 . MLB.com . July 20, 2021.
  7. News: Brackett . Charmain . GreenJackets Beat Fireflies 6–4 . October 22, 2022 . Augusta Press . September 12, 2021.
  8. Web site: Malloy provides steady presence for Braves. Rome News-Tribune. July 9, 2022. July 12, 2022.
  9. News: Several Rome players promoted to Mississippi . October 22, 2022 . Rome News-Tribune . July 12, 2022.
  10. News: Harris . Christopher . Justyn-Henry Malloy Promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett . October 22, 2022.
  11. News: Gilberto . Gerard . Malloy, Shuster make strides toward Atlanta . October 22, 2022 . MILB.com . October 14, 2022.
  12. News: Justyn-Henry Malloy Is Another Braves Development Success . October 26, 2022 . Baseball America . October 21, 2022.
  13. News: Mayo . Jonathan . Malloy's ascent with Braves continues in AFL . October 22, 2022 . MLB.com . October 21, 2022.
  14. News: Bowman . Mark . 6 Braves prospect storylines to watch . October 22, 2022 . MLB.com . October 21, 2022.
  15. Web site: Detroit Tigers trade reliever Joe Jiménez to Atlanta Braves for two minor leaguers . December 8, 2022 . Detroit Free Press . en-US.
  16. News: Bowman . Mark . Braves bolster bullpen, acquire Jiménez from Tigers . December 11, 2022 . MLB.com . December 7, 2022.
  17. Web site: Toledo Mud Hens set 2023 roster: How many will be in Detroit sooner than later?. Evan. Woodberry. MLive.com. March 31, 2023. April 3, 2023.
  18. Web site: Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith, Justyn-Henry Malloy to Futures Game. Detroit Free Press. June 26, 2023. June 27, 2023.
  19. Web site: Petzold . Evan . June 2, 2024 . Detroit Tigers promote Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo for MLB debut . 2024-06-10 . Detroit Free Press . en-US.
  20. Web site: With thrilled parents in the stands, Malloy bashes HR for 1st MLB hit. Beck. Jason. mlb.com. June 6, 2024. July 2, 2024. en.
  21. Web site: Malloy ends inside-the-parker by tackling home plate. Soto. Andres. mlb.com. June 30, 2024. July 2, 2024. en.
  22. Web site: Kreuz . Julia . Malloy continues to heat up, gain confidence with first career slam . mlb.com . July 21, 2024 . July 21, 2024.
  23. Web site: Iowa outlasts Mud Hens in series opener . The Blade . 2024-08-20 . 2024-08-21.