Danny Hultzen was a two-time competitor at Cooperstown Dreams Park. The first was during the 10 and under week (Week 1) with the Bethesda Chevy Chase Hurricanes (MD) in 2000 and the second with BCC Hurricanes (MD) during Week 9 in 2002.

Danny went on to play varsity baseball at St. Albans High School (Washington, D.C.). A left-handed pitcher, Danny went 7-1 with 0.35 ER in 52 innings pitched is junior year (2007). He recorded 105 strikeouts and 12 walks. As a senior (2008), he was 13-0 with a 0.74 ERA (73 innings pitched), posting 140 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit six home runs and had 37 RBI. Danny's accolades include two-time MVP (2007, 2008), twice named All-Interstate Athletic Conference (2007, 2008), First-team All-Met (2007), All-Met Player of the Year (2008), and First-team All-American by Baseball America and Louisville Slugger (2008). During the 2008 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, Danny was selected in the 10th round by the Arizona Dimaondbacks. Danny opted on a collegiate career, attending and playing for University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA).

As a freshman at University of Virginia (2009), Danny saw time on the mound, first base, left field and designated hitter. He was first in ACC among freshman in strikeouts and third overall with 107, which is a Virginia freshman record. He recorded nine wins, second among freshman in the ACC, third overall and eighth nationally. He led the ACC with a 2.17 ERA and tied for team lead with seven pickoffs (third in ACC). At the plate, Danny ranked first in batting average among ACC freshmen (.327). His freshman accolades included ACC Pitcher of the Week after FSU win, ABCA First-Team All-American, Baseball America Third-Team All-American (Utility), Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA First-Team Freshman All-American (Utility), First-Team All-ACC (Utility), ACC Freshman of the Year (first in school history), Irvine All-Regional Team (Pitcher), ACC All-Tournament Team, and ACC All-Tournament Team as Utility/DH. Danny finished his sophomore season (2010) first in ACC in strikeouts per nine innings (10.38) and total strikeouts (123). He was second in ACC in ERA (2.78) and led the league with opponent batting average (.192). Danny was twice named ACC Pitcher of the Week (after Rhode Island and Duke games). His sophomore accolades also included semi-finalist for Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy, ESPN the Magazine Second-Team Academic All-American, First-Team All-ACC, Collegiate Baseball First-Team All-American, ABCA First-Team All American, NCBWA First-Team All-American and Baseball America Second-Team. Danny was also awarded ACC Pitcher of the Year, the first in University of Virginia history.

Danny continued a successful college career in 2011. His junior season, Danny went 12-3 with a 1.37 ERA (fifth best in the country) and 165 strikeouts (second most in the nation), while opponents hit .184 against him. At the plate, he hit .309 on 39 starts with 35 RBI, eleven doubles, and six steals. Danny is University of Virginia's all-time leader in career wins (32) and strikeouts (395). For the third straight year, Danny earned first Team-All American and was also named ACC Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season. Danny was awarded the John Olerud Two-Way Player Award at the College Baseball Foundation's Night of Champions. To complete his junior collegiate season, Danny was chosen second overall of the 2011 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Seattle Mariners.