Eric Paul Hetzel (born September 25, 1963) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between 1989 and 1990 for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6' 3", 175 lb., Hetzel batted and threw right-handed. He was selected by Boston in the first round (1st pick) of the 1985 draft out of Louisiana State University.
Hetzel spent six years in the Red Sox organization. He debuted in 1985, with Class-A Greensboro, and posted a 7âÂÂ5 mark with a 5.57 ERA. In 1987 he went 10âÂÂ12 with a 3.55 ERA for Class-A Winter Haven, after missing a year with an unknown injury. Promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket in 1988, he finished 6âÂÂ10 with a 3.96 ERA, and went 4âÂÂ4, 2.48 in 1989, before joining the Red Sox during the midseason. He ended with a 2âÂÂ3 record and a 6.26 ERA In 11 starts for Boston.
Hetzel started the 1990 season in Pawtucket. Again, he earned a midseason call-up to the Red Sox after going 6âÂÂ5 with a 3.64 ERA in 18 starts, but he went just 1âÂÂ4 with 5.91 ERA in eight appearances for the big team. In 1991 he returned for his third stint with Pawtucket, ending with a 9âÂÂ5 mark and a 3.57 ERA in 19 starts.
In two major league seasons career, Hetzel posted a 3âÂÂ7 record with 53 strikeouts and a 6.12 ERA in 21 appearances, including 19 starts and innings of work. In 112 minor league starts, he went 42âÂÂ41 with 592 strikeouts and a 3.74 ERA in innings.
A shoulder injury forced him to leave the game.
Hetzel is married to Catherine Arceneaux of Crowley. They have 6 children.