Richard Heath Hembree, better known by his nickname Heater, is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hembree, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds, throws and bats right-handed.
Hembree attended Broome High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he played baseball and high school football.
He was a standout pitcher and quarterback for Broome, but due to a knee injury sustained while playing football, he did not pitch as a senior in 2007. Instead, Hembree spent his final season as a designated hitter, batting .320.
Hembree began his career with the University of South Carolina, but only pitched once during his rookie season in 2008.
He then transferred to Spartanburg Methodist College, a National Junior College Athletic Association junior college. He went 7–0 with a 1.22 earned run average as a sophomore transfer (ERA).
Hembree transferred to the College of Charleston, an NCAA Division I school, after getting a scholarship there. He played his last season of college baseball there. He also pursued a physical education degree.
The San Francisco Giants selected Hembree in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB draft.
The San Francisco Giants selected Hembree in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB draft.
Hembree began the 2011 season with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced level before being promoted to the Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Double-A level in late June.
In 54 bullpen appearances, he was 1–1 with a 1.86 ERA, 78 strikeouts, and 38 saves in 53+13 innings.
How Much Does Heath Hembree Make?
Heath Hembree makes an annual average salary of $2,125,000.