Now just three wins away from making the World Series, Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman’s journey to the majors started on the baseball fields of the Capital Region.
The Shaker High School graduate, who pitched the final outs in the Blue Jays’ victory over the Yankees in Game 4 of the AL Division Series, was once an unheralded prospect, but has grown into one of baseball’s top closers.
From his rise with the South Troy Dodgers to returning to Toronto, where he has become a dependable part of the bullpen during this season’s postseason run, here’s what to know about Hoffman’s career and his roots in the Capital Region.
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Shaker’s Jeff Hoffman (23) celebrates a home run hit during their baseball game against Guilderland on Thursday, April 13, 2011, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)
Cindy Schultz
Shaker’s Jeff Hoffman throws the ball in from left field during a baseball game against Niskayuna in Latham, N.Y. Monday April 18, 2011. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)
Lori Van Buren
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman reacts after allowing a three-run, home run to New York Mets’ Todd Frazier during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kathy Willens
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) and catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) celebrate after defeating the New York Yankee in Game 1 of baseball’s American League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Frank Gunn/Associated Press
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
Philadelphia Phillies’ Garrett Stubbs, left, and Jeff Hoffman celebrate after the Phillies won a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matt Slocum/Associated Press
Philadelphia Phillies’ Jeff Hoffman plays during a baseball game, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matt Slocum/Associated Press
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman in action during the baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Philadelphia. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Chris Szagola/Associated Press
Shaker High School alums Tommy Kahnle, seated left, who pitches for the New York Yankees, and Jeff Hoffman, seated right, a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, sign autographs at Shaker High School in Colonie on Dec. 20, 2017. (Leif Skodnick / Times Union)
Shaker High School alums Tommy Kahnle, middle left, who pitches for the New York Yankees, and Jeff Hoffman, middle right, a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, pose with former Shaker baseball coaches Ed Dopp, far left, and Stephen Frank, right, after their No. 23 was retired by the Shaker baseball program on Dec. 20, 2017. (Leif Skodnick/Times Union)
Who is Jeff Hoffman and where is he from?
Jeff Hoffman is a relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who was born on January 8, 1993, and raised in Latham. His parents are Jeff Hoffman and Michele Hoffman-Krege, and he has two siblings, Arianna and Tyler.
Where did Hoffman go to high school?
Hoffman is a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher who attended Shaker High School in Latham, where he played both baseball and basketball. He graduated in 2011. He has four children with his wife, Marissa, who is also a Shaker graduate.
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Shaker’s Jeff Hoffman pitches against Colonie during a Class AA baseball final in Troy, N.Y., Thursday, June 2, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) High School Sports
Hans Pennink
What were Hoffman’s accomplishments at Shaker?
In his senior year in 2011, Hoffman earned first-team all-state, Suburban Council Pitcher of the Year and Times Union Pitcher of the Year after leading the Blue Bison to a Section 2 Class AA title and an appearance in the state final. His No. 23 jersey was retired by the school in 2017.
Did Hoffman go pro after high school?
Hoffman went undrafted out of high school in 2011, mainly because his fastball velocity was in the low 80s. That summer, he played Connie Mack Baseball with the South Troy Dodgers, a top youth baseball program, where he increased his fastball velocity to the low 90s, catching the attention of college scouts and earning a scholarship to East Carolina University.
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What was Hoffman’s career like at East Carolina University?
Hoffman attended East Carolina University from 2012 to 2014, where he posted a 3.27 ERA with 211 strikeouts in 249.2 innings over three seasons. In his final college season, he went 3-3 with a 2.94 ERA before undergoing Tommy John surgery weeks before the 2014 MLB draft.
When was Hoffman drafted and by which team?
Hoffman was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Hoffman pitched in the Blue Jays’ minor leagues before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2015.
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When did Hoffman make his major league debut?
Hoffman made his MLB debut with the Rockies in a game against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 20, 2016. He had begun the season with the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Rockies’ AAA affiliate and was selected to play in that year’s All-Star Futures Game before being called up to the majors.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Toronto. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)
Jon Blacker/Associated Press
What has his MLB career looked like since his debut in 2016?
Over his 10-year MLB career, Hoffman has pitched for the Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Blue Jays. He began his career as a starter, but has excelled since joining the Phillies’ bullpen in 2023. That season, he posted a 2.41 ERA in 54 appearances and in 2024, he posted a 2.17 ERA with 10 saves and 89 strikeouts in 68 appearances and was selected as an All-Star.
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How did he return to the Blue Jays?
After a breakout season with the Phillies in 2024, Hoffman became a free agent and signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Blue Jays in January. This season, he went 9-7 with 33 saves, a 4.37 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 61 games during the regular season. In three postseason games, he has one save and a 2.70 ERA.
