Justyn-Henry Malloy

Justyn-Henry Malloy
Detroit Tigers – No. 44
Outfielder / Third baseman
Born: (2000-02-19) February 19, 2000 (age 24)
New York City, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 3, 2024, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.203
Home runs8
Runs batted in21
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 optioned to the Mud Hens after batting .217 with 8 home runs and 20 RBI in 180 at-bats.[23]

References

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