Hackenberg played baseball and football at Fork Union Military Academy,[1] then transferred to The Miller School of Albemarle, where he was coached by Billy Wagner.[2][3] In Hackenberg's first season at Virginia Tech, he pitched 92+2⁄3 innings and recorded a 3.30 ERA that led him to earn All-ACC First Team and Freshman All-American honors.[4][5] In 2023, Hackenberg pitched 85+1⁄3 innings and produced a 5.70 ERA.[6] In Hackenberg's college career, he pitched 178 innings, with a win–loss record of 15–10 in 31 appearances, and struck out 186 batters.[7][8]
Professional career
Hackenberg was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.[9][10] On July 13, he signed with the Braves for an over slot deal worth $2 million.[11][12][13] Hackenberg made his first professional appearance for the Augusta GreenJackets on August 29, 2023. He faced the Salem Red Sox and threw 2+2⁄3 innings with five strikeouts and one walk.[14] The following month, Hackenberg was promoted to the Mississippi Braves.[15] Hackenberg started the 2024 season with the Rome Emperors,[16] and returned to Mississippi in June.[17][18] While facing the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on July 21, Hackenberg set a personal and Mississippi Braves franchise record for strikeouts, with sixteen.[19]
^Anne-Parker Coleman (July 10, 2023). "Braves select Miller alum Drue Hackenberg at no. 59". WCAV. Retrieved July 13, 2023. The Miller School of Albemarle alum spent the past two seasons at Virginia Tech where he went 5–8, striking out 99 batters with a 5.70 ERA in 2023. In his freshman year campaign Hackenberg boasted a 3.30 ERA as he helped the Hokies to an ACC Coastal Division title. That year Hackenberg also earned first team All ACC and third team All-America honors.
^ abBerman, Mark. "Virginia Tech pitcher Drue Hackenberg selected by Atlanta Braves in MLB Draft". The News Virginian. Retrieved July 13, 2023. The right-hander went 10–2 with a 3.30 ERA, 87 strikeouts and 19 walks in 92+2⁄3 innings as a freshman in the 2022 season, when he helped Virginia Tech win the ACC's Coastal Division and an NCAA regional. He recorded the most wins by a Tech pitcher in nine years, earning first-team All-ACC and third-team All-America honors. Hackenberg's ERA rose to 5.70 this year. He was 5–8 with 99 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85+1⁄3 innings. Hackenberg became the fourth member of his family to be drafted. His brother Christian, a former Fork Union and Penn State quarterback, was chosen in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. His brother Brandon, a former Penn State soccer player, was chosen by Orlando City in the first round of the 2021 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. His brother Adam, a former Miller School and Clemson catcher who now plays Double-A baseball, was chosen by the Chicago White Sox in the 18th round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
