Rick VandenHurk

Infobox MLB player
name = Rick VandenHurk


width = 300
caption =
team = Florida Marlins
number = 56
position = Starting pitcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1985|5|22
birthplace = Eindhoven, Netherlands
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = April 10
debutyear = 2007
debutteam = Florida Marlins
statyear = April 22, 2008
stat1label = Win-Loss
stat1value = 4-7
stat2label = Earned run average
stat2value = 7.14
stat3label = Strikeouts
stat3value = 89
teams =
*Florida Marlins (by|2007-present)

Henricus van den Hurk (more commonly known as Rick VandenHurk; born on May 22, 1985 in Eindhoven, Netherlands), nicknamed "The Holland Hammer" and "The Incredible Hurk", is a starting pitcher who plays for the Florida Marlins organization.

Early years

At the age of 16, VandenHurk was scouted by Chicho Jesurun when playing for the Eindhoven baseball team PSV, where his father was coach. He went to Fort Lauderdale Preparatory School where he where he graduated in 2003.

Professional career

Prior to his major league debut in by|2007, he had never pitched above Class-A. He underwent ligament replacement surgery on his right arm in by|2005.

In by|2006, VandenHurk started five games for the Gulf Coast League Marlins in rookie ball and three more games for the Jupiter Hammerheads of High-A. In the rookie league, VandenHurk allowed just two runs on four hits in 15 innings of work, while striking out 26 batters. With the Hammerheads, he allowed three earned runs on five hits through ten innings and striking out 15.

On April 9, 2007, VandenHurk was promoted to the Marlins from the Double-A Carolina Mudcats when pitcher Ricky Nolasco was placed on the disabled list. [cite web|url=http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070409&content_id=1888458&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla|title=Nolasco goes to disabled list|accessdate=2007-04-09|publisher=MLB.com] At the time of his debut, he was the youngest player in the National League. He made his first major league appearance on April 10, starting against the Milwaukee Brewers. A rain delay cut his debut short after 4 2/3 innings, in which he allowed one earned run on five hits, with five strikeouts and three walks. [cite web|url=http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070410&content_id=1890813&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla|title=Marlins, Brewers halted due to rain|accessdate=2007-04-11|publisher=MLB.com]

VandenHurk was sent back to Double-A after the team's April 24 loss to the Atlanta Braves. In his his fourth appearance, he pitched just one inning while giving up six earned runs on four hits and four walks. Pitcher Nate Field was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his roster spot.

On June 5, the Marlins called up VandenHurk to throw the second game of a double header. He went six innings without giving up a hit until Yunel Escobar hit a double to lead off the 7th inning. He did not give up a run and earned his first win. [cite web|url=http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070605&content_id=2007348&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla|title=Right-hander allows one hit, notches first Major League win|accessdate=2007-06-06|publisher=MLB.com] He was sent again to Double-A on June 16.

During the 2007 midseason, VandenHurk was selected to the All-Star Futures Game for which he received the win.

He is again being called up on Tuesday July 22nd, 2008 to start against the Atlanta Braves.

References

External links

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