Jim Hutto – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jim Hutto spent over a decade in professional baseball, though his time in the Major Leagues was brief and memorable.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1947, Hutto battled his way through the minor leagues before finally making it to the big leagues with two different teams during the 1970s.

Hutto played in 61 Major League games over two seasons, suiting up for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970 and the Baltimore Orioles in 1975. He retired from pro baseball in 1976.

He went from a seventh-round draft pick out of Pensacola High School to the majors, which really shows the dedication and perseverance it takes to reach baseball’s top level.

If you look at Hutto’s career, you can see the tough road utility players face in pro baseball.

He spent most of his career in the minor leagues, but still managed to achieve the dream of playing in the majors, even if just for a short time.

Early Life and Amateur Career

James Neamon Hutto was born on October 17, 1947, in Norfolk, Virginia.

He moved to Florida later on, where he really started to develop his baseball skills.

His journey to professional baseball began at Pensacola High School.

There, he showed off the kind of talent that would eventually catch the eyes of major league scouts and lead to his selection in the 1965 June Amateur Draft by the Boston Red Sox.

Childhood and Education

Jim Hutto spent his early years in Norfolk, Virginia, after being born there in 1947.

His family later moved to Florida, and that’s where he attended high school and started to sharpen his baseball abilities.

As a kid, Hutto had a natural athletic edge that would help him later on.

He was 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds, so he had a solid build for baseball.

Hutto attended Pensacola High School in Florida.

That move turned out to be a big deal for his baseball development, since Florida’s year-round baseball weather let him practice and play almost nonstop.

Pensacola High School Baseball

At Pensacola High, Hutto quickly became one of the team’s top players.

He showed off his versatility, playing several positions well during those years.

Florida high school baseball offered strong competition and plenty of chances for scouts to notice young talent.

Hutto’s play at Pensacola drew the attention of major league teams.

By 1965, he finished his high school career and became eligible for the draft.

His skills and potential caught the eye of multiple teams, setting him up for a shot at pro baseball.

1965 June Amateur Draft

The Boston Red Sox picked Jim Hutto in the 7th round of the 1965 June Amateur Draft.

He was the 135th overall pick that year, which started his professional journey.

Getting drafted by the Red Sox was a huge moment for 17-year-old Hutto.

It was proof that his high school performance mattered, and it opened the door to a pro career.

After the draft, Hutto joined the minor league system and spent several years working on his game.

His dream of reaching the majors, which started back at Pensacola High, finally came true five years later when he debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970.

Professional Baseball Journey

Hutto’s pro career ran from 1965 to 1975, starting right after he got drafted out of high school at 17.

He bounced around several minor league organizations before finally making it to the majors with two teams.

Minor League Career and Development

Jim Hutto started his pro career in 1965 after the draft.

He began as a third baseman, but over time shifted more into the outfield and first base as his career went on.

In the minors, Hutto showed steady power at the plate.

He hit 110 home runs in his minor league career, which kept him in pro baseball for over a decade.

One of his best seasons came in 1972 with the Salt Lake City Angels.

He hit for a .326 batting average that year, which was the high point of his minor league offensive numbers.

In 1968, Hutto played for the Tulsa Oilers under manager Warren Spahn.

That team had a 95-53 record, and the winning atmosphere gave Hutto some valuable experience during his early career.

Drafts and Team Transfers

Hutto moved between different teams during his career.

He started with the Red Sox after the 1965 draft and spent the next several years chasing a big league roster spot.

The Philadelphia Phillies finally gave him his first shot at the majors in 1970.

He made his debut on April 17 against the New York Mets, at just 22 years old.

After his time with the Phillies, Hutto mostly played in the minors again.

He didn’t give up, and eventually the Baltimore Orioles called him up for another shot in 1975.

The years between his big league appearances show just how tough it was to stick in the majors back then.

Triple-A Rochester Red Wings Era

After his playing days in the majors, Hutto shifted into coaching and management.

In 1984, he worked as a coach for the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Orioles.

His time with Rochester was short, but it mattered for his post-playing career.

He picked up valuable experience in player development and learned about running a team at the Triple-A level.

Later in 1984, Hutto took on a management role with the Newark Orioles.

That job let him use his playing and coaching background in a leadership role within the Orioles organization.

Even after his days on the field ended, Hutto stayed committed to baseball, helping develop players in the Orioles system.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Jim Hutto’s MLB career lasted five years and included two teams.

He showed off his versatility, filling in at several positions.

His biggest chunk of playing time came with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970.

He returned briefly to the majors with the Baltimore Orioles in 1975.

Philadelphia Phillies Debut

Jim Hutto made his MLB debut on April 17, 1970, with the Philadelphia Phillies at 22 years old.

He’d originally been drafted by the Red Sox in 1965, but ended up with the Phillies by the time he reached the big leagues.

In his rookie year, Hutto played most of his big league games with Philadelphia.

He bounced around the field, playing several positions and showing off the flexibility that became his trademark in the majors.

Primary positions with Philadelphia:

• Left field (most often)
• First base
• Right field
• Catcher
• Third base

The 1970 season was his busiest in the majors.

He batted and threw right-handed, stood 5’11”, and weighed 195 pounds.

Baltimore Orioles Tenure

After five years out of the majors, Hutto got another chance with the Baltimore Orioles in 1975.

This turned out to be his last season in pro baseball.

His time with the Orioles was short, but it gave him one more shot at the big leagues.

Between his stints with Philadelphia and Baltimore, he put together several solid minor league seasons.

Hutto played his last MLB game on September 28, 1975, ending his time in the majors with the Orioles.

Coming back after such a long break showed a lot of determination and growth in the minors.

Pinch Hitter and Utilityman Roles

Both teams valued Hutto for his ability to play all over the field.

As a utilityman, he gave managers a lot of options with their lineups and benches.

His defensive versatility let him fill in at first base, third base, catcher, and both corner outfield spots.

That flexibility made him a useful roster piece, even though his bat didn’t always produce much.

Career MLB Statistics:

• Games played: 61
• Batting average: .175
• Home runs: 3
• RBI: 12
• Hits: 17

Notable Games and Moments

Hutto’s MLB career was short, but his debut on April 17, 1970, was a huge personal milestone.

Making it to the majors at 22 capped off five years of hard work in pro baseball.

He hit three home runs during his 61 games in the majors.

Those moments stood out, especially since he had hit 110 homers in the minors.

Hutto’s willingness to play just about anywhere gave his managers more options for substitutions and roster moves.

His five-year gap between major league appearances really highlights his determination to make it back, especially after a big year in Salt Lake City in 1972, when he batted .326.

Player Statistics and Performance

Jim Hutto’s MLB career only lasted 61 games over two seasons.

He put up a .175 batting average and didn’t offer much offensive production.

His ability to play several positions gave him some value, but his numbers fell short of league averages.

Batting and Fielding Records

Hutto finished with a .175 career batting average over 97 at-bats in his two years in the majors.

His best season was 1970 with the Phillies, hitting .185 in 57 games.

He picked up 17 hits that rookie year, including 2 doubles, scored 7 runs, and drove in 12 RBIs.

His 1975 season with Baltimore didn’t go well.

He went hitless in 5 at-bats across 4 games, ending up with a .000 average.

Defensively, Hutto played seven different positions, including catcher, first base, third base, and all three outfield spots.

He kept a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage at most positions.

Hutto handled 81 total chances without an error, proving he could be trusted with the glove even if his bat lagged behind.

Home Runs and Power Numbers

Hutto didn’t hit for much power in the majors.

He managed just 3 home runs, all in his 1970 rookie season with Philadelphia.

His slugging percentage was .304 in 1970, which showed some power, but it fell to .000 in 1975 with Baltimore.

He totaled 28 bases in his MLB career.

Compared to other big leaguers in the early ’70s, his power numbers were pretty low.

His OPS (on-base plus slugging) hit .527 in 1970, way below the league average, and his OPS+ was just 42.

Key Metrics: Hits, Doubles, and RBIs

Across his 61 MLB games, Hutto collected 17 hits.

He had 2 doubles and 3 home runs—those were his only extra-base hits.

He drove in 12 runs, all in 1970, and didn’t pick up any RBIs during his short comeback in 1975.

He scored 7 times and drew 5 walks.

His on-base percentage was just .212, which shows he struggled to get on base.

Hutto struck out 22 times in 106 plate appearances.

He made contact often enough, but his hits rarely made a big impact.

WAR and Advanced Analytics

Hutto’s career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) came out to -0.5, so he didn’t quite reach replacement level.

His 1970 season brought a -0.3 WAR, and 1975 was -0.2.

Baseball Reference’s advanced stats make his offensive struggles pretty clear.

His career OPS+ was 35—one of the lowest for players with that much playing time.

Hutto’s rOBA (relative On-Base Average) was .251, which fell far short of league norms.

If you project his numbers over a full 162-game season, he would’ve finished with 45 hits, 8 home runs, and 32 RBIs.

Those projections really show how tough it was for him to keep up offensively.

Memorable Opponents and Teammates

Jim Hutto’s short but interesting major league run put him up against some of baseball’s all-time greats.

He debuted against Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver.

Connections to players like Bill White also played a role in his early career.

Debut Against Tom Seaver

Jim Hutto made his major league debut on April 12, 1970. He faced one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers that day. Tom Seaver, the New York Mets’ ace, was fresh off his Cy Young Award-winning 1969 season.

It really felt like a classic David versus Goliath matchup. Seaver had just helped the Miracle Mets win their first World Series championship.

Hutto got his first at-bat in the sixth inning at Veterans Stadium. The rookie utility player stepped in against a pitcher who would eventually rack up 311 wins.

Hutto only managed a groundout in that first encounter. Still, just facing Seaver gave him some valuable experience. The baseball Hall of Fame pitcher unleashed his signature fastball and slider, the same combo that had dominated hitters all over the National League.

Debuting against that kind of elite competition put the challenge in perspective for Hutto. He was just beginning to figure out what it would take to stick in the majors.

Trades Involving Bill White

Bill White shaped opportunities for players like Jim Hutto during the late 1960s. The veteran first baseman had moved from the Philadelphia Phillies to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959.

When the Phillies traded established players like White, they created openings for younger prospects. Hutto ended up benefiting from these organizational shake-ups as Philadelphia tried to develop new talent.

White’s presence in the National League gave Hutto a benchmark for what first base play looked like at the highest level. The veteran’s steady performance and leadership set the bar for newcomers.

These roster moves changed how teams like Philadelphia evaluated and promoted utility players. Hutto’s ability to play multiple positions started to matter more as organizations looked for flexibility.

Connections with Hall of Famers

In 1975, while with the Baltimore Orioles, Hutto played alongside Brooks Robinson, one of baseball’s greatest third basemen. Robinson was wrapping up his final season, still offering veteran leadership to the younger guys.

The Orioles roster during Hutto’s stint included multiple future Hall of Famers. For a utility player trying to maximize his shot, that environment had to be both intimidating and inspiring.

Hutto’s short career overlapped with players who would go on to define baseball greatness. These brief connections gave him a taste of the highest level of professional baseball.

Playing with and against that kind of talent really showed how thin the line can be between sticking in the majors and falling short. Hutto’s 61 career games came alongside some of the most accomplished players of his era.

Legacy, Later Life, and Net Worth

Jim Hutto moved from his short major league career into advocacy work for former players. After baseball, he focused on fighting for pension benefits for players who played before the 1980s.

Retirement and Coaching

After his last game with the Baltimore Orioles on September 28, 1975, Jim Hutto stepped away from professional baseball. He spent 224 days in Major League Baseball over two seasons.

Unlike a lot of former players, Hutto didn’t come back to baseball in any official role. His career batting average was .175 over 61 games, and that marked the end of his playing days.

Hutto faced the reality that his short major league stint, while meaningful to him, didn’t offer the financial security that later generations of players would get. That experience ended up fueling his push for pension reform.

Recognition and Impact

Hutto made his biggest impact through advocacy, not on the field. He became a leading voice for former players who got left out of baseball’s pension system.

He actually filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball to draw attention to the unfairness between players who debuted before and after 1983. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” Hutto said, pointing out the pension gap.

Hutto highlighted that current players get $34,000 a year for just 43 days of service. Meanwhile, players like him who played longer got nothing because of when they played.

His advocacy represents about 500 former players who played before the current pension system started in 1980.

Estimated Net Worth and Post-Baseball Life

Hutto has said he’s not in dire financial straits, though he’s kept his actual net worth private. That stands in stark contrast to some of his peers from the same era, who’ve really struggled.

He spent decades pushing for pension benefits that would cost baseball about $17 million a year. Forbes once reported that baseball’s pension fund actually holds $2.7 billion in assets.

After his playing days with the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles, he focused on helping former players who don’t have the financial security that today’s athletes enjoy. That’s really become the thing people remember him for.

Fighting for pension equality isn’t just about money, honestly. It’s about showing respect to the guys who built the game into what it is now.