Jacob Hurtubise has emerged as one of baseball’s most unique success stories in 2025. The Cincinnati Reds outfielder made history as the first United States Military Academy graduate to earn a spot on an MLB opening day roster. His journey from West Point to the major leagues exemplifies perseverance and dedication, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way.
Hurtubise’s path wasn’t conventional – he wasn’t a high draft pick with a multimillion-dollar signing bonus, but rather built his career through consistent performance in the minor leagues after signing as an undrafted free agent.
As he establishes himself at baseball’s highest level in 2025, Hurtubise continues to represent both the military academy and the Reds organization with distinction, showing that determination and discipline can lead to success even in unconventional circumstances.
Jacob Hurtubise’s Biography
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacob Gilles Hurtubise |
| Date of Birth | December 11, 1997 |
| Age | 27 |
| Education | United States Military Academy (West Point) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’11” |
| Weight | 180 lbs |
| Turned Pro | July 17, 2020 (signed with Cincinnati Reds) |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Salary | $761,500 |
| Career Earnings | $916,642 (through 2025) |
| Wife/Girlfriend | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Jacob Hurtubise was born on December 11, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana, but grew up in Zionsville, Indiana, where he attended Zionsville Community High School. Even from his early days, Hurtubise showed exceptional athletic ability on the baseball diamond, particularly with his speed and defensive skills in the outfield. His academic excellence matched his athletic prowess, which eventually led him to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point.
Hurtubise’s college career at Army was nothing short of spectacular. From 2016 to 2020, he established himself as one of the most accomplished players in both Army and Patriot League history. His junior season in 2019 was particularly remarkable as he set multiple Army single-season records, including runs scored (71), walks (69), and stolen bases (45).
This outstanding performance earned him ABCA/Rawlings Second Team All-American honors, making him the first Army All-American since 2009. His defensive excellence was also recognized when he was named the 2019 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.
Throughout his college career, Hurtubise consistently demonstrated exceptional plate discipline and base-running abilities. By the time his college career was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he had already established himself as Army’s and the Patriot League’s all-time leader in both stolen bases (105) and walks (142). His career batting average at West Point was an impressive .301, showcasing his ability to consistently get on base and create offensive opportunities.
The 2020 season was supposed to be Hurtubise’s senior campaign, and he entered it with high expectations as the Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year. Unfortunately, the season was cut short after just five games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In those five games, he recorded four hits and scored four runs, giving just a glimpse of what could have been a spectacular senior season.
His academic achievements were equally impressive. Hurtubise was named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team in both 2018 and 2019, and in 2020, he earned CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team honors. This balance of athletic and academic excellence exemplified the ideal student-athlete at West Point.
Interestingly, Hurtubise was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 39th round of the 2019 MLB draft following his junior year, but he chose to return to West Point to complete his education and athletic eligibility.
This decision demonstrated his commitment to both his education and his service to the country. The abbreviated 2020 MLB draft, reduced to just five rounds due to the pandemic, meant Hurtubise went undrafted after graduation despite his accomplished college career.
During summers, Hurtubise continued to develop his skills by playing in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, where he competed with some of the best college players in the country. In the summer of 2019, he played for both the Harwich Mariners and Orleans Firebirds, further showcasing his talents against elite competition and catching the attention of professional scouts.
His time at West Point wasn’t just about individual accolades. Hurtubise was also a key contributor to team success, helping Army win two Patriot League Tournament championships and make two NCAA Regional Appearances during his tenure. His leadership qualities were evident as he served as team captain, demonstrating the same leadership qualities that West Point instills in its cadets.
Professional Career
Jacob Hurtubise’s professional baseball journey began in an unprecedented way. On July 17, 2020, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an undrafted free agent, reportedly receiving a $20,000 signing bonus, which was the maximum allowed for undrafted players that year.
What made this signing truly historic was that Hurtubise became one of the first athletes to benefit from a policy endorsed by the Secretary of Defense in November 2019, allowing service academy graduates with exceptional athletic talents to pursue professional sports careers while delaying their military service obligations.
The COVID-19 pandemic meant that Hurtubise didn’t get to play any professional games in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season. His professional debut finally came in 2021 with the High-A Dayton Dragons, where he immediately showcased the skills that made him a standout at West Point.
Over 102 games, he batted .283 with a .413 on-base percentage, demonstrating his elite plate discipline. Though he didn’t hit any home runs that season, his speed was on full display as he stole 39 bases while driving in 33 runs.
Hurtubise continued his minor league progression in 2022, moving up to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. In 63 games at this higher level, he hit .250 with a .385 on-base percentage, belting his first professional home run while stealing 16 bases. Though his batting average was lower than his previous season, his ability to get on base remained consistent, proving that his plate discipline could translate to higher levels of competition.
The 2023 season proved to be a breakthrough for Hurtubise’s professional career. Split between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville Bats, he posted impressive numbers across 119 games: a .330 batting average, .479 on-base percentage, and .483 slugging percentage.
He added seven home runs, drove in 46 runs, and stole 45 bases, showing development in all facets of his offensive game. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as the Reds’ minor league position player of the year, establishing him as a legitimate prospect in the organization.
This impressive performance led the Reds to add Hurtubise to their 40-man roster on November 14, 2023, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. Though he began the 2024 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, his minor league success and the Reds’ need for outfield depth created an opportunity for his major league debut.
On May 13, 2024, Hurtubise achieved his dream of reaching the major leagues when the Cincinnati Reds promoted him. He made his MLB debut that same night at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks, entering as a pinch-runner in the eighth inning.
This milestone made him just the second West Point graduate to reach the major leagues, following pitcher Chris Rowley, who played for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 and 2018.
Hurtubise appeared in 29 games for the Reds in 2024, getting 54 at-bats and collecting 10 hits, including a double and a triple. He scored 7 runs, drove in 4, and stole 2 bases while posting a .185/.297/.241 slash line. While these numbers don’t jump off the page, they represented a solid introduction to the highest level of baseball for a player still adjusting to major league pitching.
Throughout the 2024 season, Hurtubise shuttled between Cincinnati and Louisville as the Reds managed their roster, but he gained valuable major league experience that would prove beneficial for the following season. His speed and defensive abilities made him valuable as a late-game substitute even when he wasn’t starting.
The 2025 season began with a historic achievement for Hurtubise as he earned a spot on the Reds’ opening day roster, becoming the first United States Military Academy graduate ever to accomplish this feat. His strong spring training performance, where he batted .289 across 23 games, convinced the Reds’ new manager Terry Francona that he deserved a place on the major league roster.
Through the first week of the 2025 season, Hurtubise has appeared in 5 games, primarily as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement. In limited action (2 at-bats), he has collected 1 hit and scored 1 run, while maintaining perfect on-base skills with a .500 batting average and .750 on-base percentage in this small sample size.
Hurtubise’s professional career journey illustrates the unconventional path some players take to reach the major leagues. His persistence through multiple levels of the minor leagues, combined with his specialized skills of speed, defense, and on-base ability, eventually created an opportunity at baseball’s highest level.
As the 2025 season progresses, Hurtubise continues to represent both the Reds organization and the United States Military Academy with distinction, balancing his commitment to professional baseball with his future service obligations.
Jacob Hurtubise’s Net Worth Details
Jacob Hurtubise’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Contract
Jacob Hurtubise is currently on a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds for the 2025 season. The contract is valued at $761,500, which is fully guaranteed. This represents a typical pre-arbitration contract for a player in the early stages of his MLB career.
Prior to this, Hurtubise was on a one-year contract worth $740,000 for the 2024 season, his rookie year. As a player with less than three years of MLB service time (currently at 0.040 years of service), Hurtubise remains under team control in the pre-arbitration phase of his career, meaning the Reds have significant control over his contract terms.
Salary
For the 2025 season, Jacob Hurtubise is earning a base salary of $761,500, which also represents his total salary for the year. This figure puts him near the MLB minimum salary, which is typical for players in the early stages of their careers before reaching arbitration eligibility.
His salary represents a modest increase from his 2024 rookie season salary of $740,000, reflecting the standard annual increases that pre-arbitration players typically receive. If Hurtubise remains on the major league roster, he will continue in pre-arbitration status for the 2026 and 2027 seasons before potentially becoming arbitration-eligible.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Salary | Career Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Cincinnati Reds | $155,142* | $155,142 |
| 2025 | Cincinnati Reds | $761,500 | $916,642 |
MLB Career Stats
| Season | Team | Games | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | HBP | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | CIN | 29 | 54 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 0 | .185 | .297 | .241 | .538 |
| 2025* | CIN | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .750 | .500 | 1.250 |
| Career | 34 | 56 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 0 | .196 | .324 | .250 | .574 |
FAQs
1. Who is Jacob Hurtubise and when did he make his MLB debut?
Jacob Gilles Hurtubise is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. Born on December 11, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he made his MLB debut on May 13, 2024, as a pinch runner against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
2. What is Jacob Hurtubise’s connection to the military?
Hurtubise graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and is only the second West Point graduate to play in Major League Baseball, after Chris Rowley. He was allowed to defer his military service obligation due to a policy change enacted six months before his 2020 graduation.
3. What are Jacob Hurtubise’s key strengths as a baseball player?
Hurtubise’s greatest strength is his speed, which he leverages both on the basepaths and in the outfield. He has stolen 117 bases in the minor leagues and provides excellent defensive range. His contact hitting and plate discipline give him strong on-base percentages despite limited power.
4. How did Jacob Hurtubise perform in the minor leagues before reaching MLB?
In the minor leagues, Hurtubise compiled impressive statistics with a .291 batting average, 11 home runs, 103 RBIs, and 117 stolen bases in 1046 at-bats. His breakout 2023 season saw him hit .330 with 45 stolen bases, earning him recognition as the Reds’ minor league position player of the year.
5. What was significant about Jacob Hurtubise getting his first MLB hit?
Hurtubise recorded his first MLB hit on Armed Forces Day at Dodger Stadium, making it especially meaningful given his West Point background. He called the timing “super special,” noting that you “can’t write the script any better than that” as he represented the Army.
6. What is Jacob Hurtubise’s current contract situation with the Cincinnati Reds?
For the 2025 season, Hurtubise is on a pre-arbitration contract with the Cincinnati Reds, earning $761,500. He’s in his first year of major league service time and won’t be eligible for arbitration until after completing three years of service.
7. What college records did Jacob Hurtubise set during his time at West Point?
During his college career at West Point, Hurtubise set Patriot League career records in walks (141) and stolen bases (141). In his 2019 season alone, he broke Army single-season records for runs (71), walks (69), and stolen bases (45).
8. How did Jacob Hurtubise’s path to professional baseball differ from other West Point graduates?
Hurtubise became the first baseball player granted a deferment to pursue a professional sports career under a new military policy implemented just before his 2020 graduation. This allows him to play professionally while deferring his service obligation as long as he maintains a pro contract.
9. What are Jacob Hurtubise’s MLB statistics so far in his career?
Through early April 2025, Hurtubise has accumulated a .196 batting average with no home runs, 4 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases in 56 career MLB at-bats. In the early 2025 season, he’s 1-for-2 with a .500 average and a 1.250 OPS.
10. What positions does Jacob Hurtubise play in the outfield?
Hurtubise primarily plays left field, though he can handle center field where his speed gives him excellent range. He has also played right field, though less frequently. In 2024, he appeared in 20 games in left field and just 1 game in right field.
