An outfielder from Zionsville, Indiana, Jacob Hurtubise caught the attention of the recruiting staff at Army West Point in high school. Once he learned of the opportunities that the academy could provide, his future was pretty much set.”I couldn’t pass up the opportunities that I would give myself for the future and just the pride in service to the nation,” Hurtubise said. In 2020, his future plans shifted after a government policy was put in place allowing West Point grads to defer their military service to play professional sports. Fast forward to 2024, Hurtubise made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first big leaguer to utilize the exemption policy. “I’m able to do some form of service right now, even though it might not look the same as some of my other classmates, I still get to represent the Army in a really cool way by just the character that I show on the field and also just the way that I play the game. I’m looking forward to my time to serve, but right now it’s pretty cool that I get to do it this way,” Hurtubise said. This season, Hurtubise has spent time with Triple-A Louisville and has made a few trips back to Cincinnati. It’s the mental side of the game that takes him back to the lessons and experiences he had during his days at West Point. “You just have to be able to go with the punches. That’s what the Army’s all about, that’s what baseball is all about, is how can you get knocked down and come up the next day, like, ready to keep on fighting,” Hurtubise said. Every experience that I had at West Point was incredible, and I think truly prepared me for the life of professional baseball.” It’s also helped him prepare for a new life chapter when he and his wife, Grace, welcome a baby girl in October.”We’re just really excited,” he said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

An outfielder from Zionsville, Indiana, Jacob Hurtubise caught the attention of the recruiting staff at Army West Point in high school. Once he learned of the opportunities that the academy could provide, his future was pretty much set.

“I couldn’t pass up the opportunities that I would give myself for the future and just the pride in service to the nation,” Hurtubise said.

In 2020, his future plans shifted after a government policy was put in place allowing West Point grads to defer their military service to play professional sports.

Fast forward to 2024, Hurtubise made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first big leaguer to utilize the exemption policy.

“I’m able to do some form of service right now, even though it might not look the same as some of my other classmates, I still get to represent the Army in a really cool way by just the character that I show on the field and also just the way that I play the game. I’m looking forward to my time to serve, but right now it’s pretty cool that I get to do it this way,” Hurtubise said.

This season, Hurtubise has spent time with Triple-A Louisville and has made a few trips back to Cincinnati. It’s the mental side of the game that takes him back to the lessons and experiences he had during his days at West Point.

“You just have to be able to go with the punches. That’s what the Army’s all about, that’s what baseball is all about, is how can you get knocked down and come up the next day, like, ready to keep on fighting,” Hurtubise said. Every experience that I had at West Point was incredible, and I think truly prepared me for the life of professional baseball.”

It’s also helped him prepare for a new life chapter when he and his wife, Grace, welcome a baby girl in October.

“We’re just really excited,” he said.