P. J. Higgins

Patrick James Higgins (born May 10, 1993) is an American professional baseball catcher and first baseman in the Chicago Cubs organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cubs. He was drafted by the Cubs in the 12th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft out of Old Dominion University.

P. J. Higgins
Higgins with the South Bend Cubs in 2016
Chicago Cubs
Catcher / First baseman
Born: (1993-05-10) May 10, 1993
Wallingford, Connecticut, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 19, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.210
Home runs6
Runs batted in30
Teams

Early life

Higgins was born and raised in Connecticut, growing up in Wallingford. Higgins attended Lyman Hall High School, and graduated in 2011. He went on to attend Old Dominion University where he played NCAA Division 1 baseball.

Career

Chicago Cubs

Higgins was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 12th round, 353rd overall, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[1]

Higgins made his professional debut with the rookie ball AZL Cubs in 2015, and also played for the Low-A Eugene Emeralds, accumulating a batting line of .299/.351/.445. In 2016, Higgins played for the Single-A South Bend Cubs, slashing .283/.389/.355 with 40 RBI. The next year, he played for the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, batting .237/.327/.298 with a career-high 4 home runs. He split the 2018 season between Myrtle Beach and the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, posting a .271/.353/.366 line with 4 home runs and a career-high in RBI, with 52. In 2019, Higgins split the season between the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and Tennessee, batting .281/.349/.416 with career-highs in home runs (10) and RBI (57).[2]

Higgins did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] He was assigned to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2021 season.

On May 19, 2021, Higgins was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[4] He made his MLB debut that night against the Washington Nationals as a replacement for Jason Heyward, going hitless in 3 at-bats. On June 3, Higgins recorded his first major league hit, a single off of San Diego Padres pitcher Austin Adams. On June 16, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right forearm strain.[5] He was later diagnosed with a partially torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery, ending his 2021 season.[6] On November 5, Higgins was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[7] Higgins re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league deal on November 19, 2021.[8]

Higgins was assigned to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2022 season. On May 22, 2022, Higgins was selected to the 40-man and active rosters.[9] On July 10, Higgins hit his first career grand slam off of Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urías.[10] In 2022 with the Cubs he batted .229/.310/.383. On December 29, 2022, Higgins was designated for assignment. He was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on January 6, 2023.[11] Higgins rejected the outright assignment and elected free agency on January 9.[12]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 12, 2023, Higgins signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[13] In 58 games for the Triple–A Reno Aces, Higgins batted .317/.407/.473 with 6 home runs and 46 RBI.

Chicago Cubs (second stint)

On July 16, 2023, Higgins was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations.[14]

References
  1. "PJ Higgins". Baseball America.
  2. "P.J. Higgins College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History".
  3. Zencka, TC. "Cubs DFA Tony Wolters, Select P.J. Higgins". MLB Trade Rumors.
  4. Zencka, TC. "Cubs DFA Tony Wolters, Select P.J. Higgins". MLB Trade Rumors.
  5. "Cubs Select Robert Stock, Place Dillon Maples on IL".
  6. "Injury Notes: Harper, Higgins, Hoerner, Topa".
  7. "A very preliminary estimate of the Cubs 2022 payroll and luxury tax". 15 November 2021.
  8. "Cubs Sign Catcher P.J. Higgins and Righty Jonathan Holder to Minor League Deals".
  9. "Cubs' P.J. Higgins: Called up, starting Sunday". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  10. "Cubs' P.J. Higgins: Slugs grand slam". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  11. "Cubs' P.J. Higgins: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  12. "P.J. Higgins: Exploring free agency". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  13. "Diamondbacks' P.J. Higgins: Signs with Diamondbacks". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  14. "Cubs' P.J. Higgins: Dealt to Chicago". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
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