Left-hander Justin Hoyt has been selected as the rookie level Pioneer League’s Pitcher of the Week for the period from August 14 to August 20.

The Dodgers selected the 6’0”/210-pound Hoyt in the 22nd round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Jacksonville State University.

Hoyt was born in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Oak Mountain High School which is located in the northern Shelby County suburbs of Birmingham.

Following his graduation from high school in 2013, Hoyt headed to Jacksonville State University in Alabama and became a preferred walk-on while sitting out the 2014 season as a redshirt, thus extending his college eligibility by one year.

He quickly earned a scholarship and began his three-year Gamecocks career in 2015. Pitching strictly in relief at Jacksonville State, he compiled a 6-4 record along with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He struck out 112 in 91 innings pitched.

Assuming the closer role in 2016, Hoyt started the season with 19 consecutive outings without giving up an earned run helping to earn him a 2016 First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection.

He recorded 11 saves in 2016 and another nine during the 2017 college season. His 20 saves ranks among the all-time saves leaders in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Hoyt made 25 appearances with Jacksonville State during the 2017 season and fanned 51 batters in 38.1 innings pitched. He became a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection with a spot on the 2017 Second Team.

The now 22-year-old made his professional debut with the rookie level Ogden Raptors on June 20 against the Grand Junction Rockies pitching a scoreless inning while achieving the rare feat of four strikeouts in an inning. One batter reached base after striking out on what was ruled a wild pitch that eluded the catcher.

Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week Justin Hoyt
(Photo credit – Stephen Smith)

During the week in which he was selected as the Pitcher of the Week, Hoyt made two relief appearances over five innings in which he struck out nine while allowing one walk and one hit. He has now struck out 27 in 19.2 innings but has yet to appear in a save situation. That may change as the Raptors enter the last 18 games of their 2017 regular season schedule.

The Ogden squad is in a play-off race in the second half presently leading the Grand Junction Rockies by one game with five games yet to play between the two clubs.