A. J. Puk Explained

A. J. Puk
Team:Arizona Diamondbacks
Number:33
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:25 April 1995
Birth Place:Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:August 21
Debutyear:2019
Debutteam:Oakland Athletics
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:August 20, 2024
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:17–19
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:3.69
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:242
Stat4label:Saves
Stat4value:21
Teams:

Andrew Jacob Puk (;[1] born April 25, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and Miami Marlins. Puk played college baseball for the Florida Gators. The Athletics selected him in the first round with the sixth overall pick of the 2016 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2019.

Amateur career

Puk attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a first baseman and pitcher in baseball and also played football as a quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 35th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and attended the University of Florida to play college baseball.[2]

As a freshman at Florida, Puk appeared in 19 games and made seven starts. He had a 5–2 win–loss record with a 3.35 earned run average (ERA), 44 strikeouts, and one save. In April 2015, Puk and a teammate were arrested and charged with third-degree criminal trespass after they climbed a crane inside a marked construction site on Florida's campus.[3] The charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor and he was briefly suspended.[4] After the suspension, Puk returned to help lead the Gators to the 2015 College World Series.[5]

Professional career

Oakland Athletics

Puk was ranked among the top prospects for the 2016 Major League Baseball draft in early rankings.[6] [7] The Oakland Athletics selected him in the first round with the sixth overall pick of the draft.[8] He signed a contract with a $4,069,200 signing bonus and was assigned to the Vermont Lake Monsters of the Low–A New York-Penn League.[9] He finished the 2016 season with a 0–4 record and a 3.03 ERA in 10 starts. Puk spent 2017 with the Stockton Ports of the High–A California League and the Midland RockHounds of the Double–A Texas League, pitching in 27 games (24 starts), posting a combined 6–10 record with a 4.03 ERA, along with 184 strikeouts in 124 innings pitched, between both teams.[10] On April 11, 2018, Puk underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the 2018 season.[11] Puk began the 2019 season with Midland, and was promoted to the Las Vegas Aviators of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League during the season.

On August 20, 2019, the Athletics promoted Puk to the major leagues.[12] Puk made his major league debut against the New York Yankees on August 21, retiring one of three batters faced.[13] Puk earned his first career win on September 5, pitching two innings in relief with one earned run and two strikeouts.[14] Puk finished the season with a 2–0 record with a 3.18 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 10 appearances (11 innings pitched).[15] On September 6, 2020, Puk continued to have lingering issues in his throwing shoulder during training. On September 11, Athletic's manager Bob Melvin officially shut him down for the season. Puk was scheduled to have shoulder surgery on September 16.[16]

In 2021, Puk appeared in 12 games for Oakland, registering an 0-3 record and 6.08 ERA with 16 strikeouts in innings pitched. After being stretched out as a starter in Spring Training in 2022, Puk returned to the bullpen, appearing in 62 contests for the Athletics.[17] Puk recorded his first career save on July 22 against the Texas Rangers.[18] In 66.1 innings pitched, he worked to a 4-3 record and 3.12 ERA with 4 saves and 76 strikeouts.

Miami Marlins

On February 11, 2023, the Athletics traded Puk to the Miami Marlins in exchange for JJ Bleday.[19] [20] In 58 appearances out of the bullpen, he compiled a 7–5 record and 3.97 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 15 saves over innings of work.

In 2024, the Marlins attempted to use Puk as a starting pitcher.[21] He made four starts for the Marlins, pitching to a 9.22 ERA, before he went on the injured list. He returned as a relief pitcher.[22]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On July 25, 2024, the Marlins traded Puk to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Deyvison De Los Santos and Andrew Pintar.[23]

International career

In the summer of 2015, Puk played for the United States collegiate national team.[24] Against Cuba, Puk, Tanner Houck and Ryan Hendrix combined to throw a no-hitter.[25]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/A-s-take-A-J-Puk-with-first-pick-7974239.php Shea, John. "A’s draft Florida’s A.J. Puk and Cal’s Daulton Jefferies," San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, June 9, 2016.
  2. Web site: Baseball: Washington's Puk Headed To College Over Pros. https://web.archive.org/web/20130624032903/http://www.kcrg.com/sports/local/Baseball-Washingtons-Puk-Headed-To-College-Over-Pros-212241591.html. dead. June 24, 2013.
  3. Web site: UF pitchers A.J. Puk and Kirby Snead arrested, charged with third-degree criminal trespass. Thompson, Edgar. April 13, 2015. Orlando Sentinel.
  4. Web site: After arrest, Florida's A.J. Puk gets career on track. Birch, Tommy. May 17, 2015. Des Moines Register.
  5. Web site: Former Wash prep Puk emerging as standout pitcher for Florida. June 14, 2015. Johnson, Jeff. The Gazette.
  6. Web site: Iowan Puk on early lists as possible top pick in 2016 MLB Draft. June 17, 2015. Birch, Tommy. Des Moines Register.
  7. Web site: 2016 MLB draft preview: Names to know for next year's class - MLB - SI.com. Rawnsley, David. June 11, 2015. SI.com.
  8. Web site: Oakland Athletics 2016 Draft Results. MLB.com. June 30, 2016.
  9. Web site: Oliver. Macklin. A's agree to terms with 1st-rounder Puk. MLB.com. June 30, 2016. June 30, 2016.
  10. Web site: A.J. Puk Stats, Highlights, Bio . milb.com . November 10, 2017.
  11. Web site: AJ Puk undergoes TJ surgery, will miss 2018 season. MLB. April 11, 2018.
  12. Web site: Cedar Rapids Washington grad A.J. Puk gets the call to the major leagues. Jeff Johnson. The Gazette. August 20, 2019. August 20, 2019.
  13. Web site: A.J. Puk's captivating A's debut brings a lot of nerves, thrills and uncertainty. Ethan Strauss. The Athletic. August 22, 2019. August 22, 2019.
  14. Web site: A's sweep Angels thanks to seven run seventh inning. KOLOTV.com. Associated Press. September 5, 2019. September 6, 2019.
  15. Web site: SNS: A.J. Puk ready for larger role with Oakland A's. Josh. Christensen. KCRG.com. October 20, 2019. October 25, 2019.
  16. Web site: Puk set for season-ending shoulder surgery. Alyson. Footer. MLB.com. September 11, 2020. September 11, 2020.
  17. Web site: Athletics' A.J. Puk: Stretching out to start. February 27, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  18. Web site: Athletics' A.J. Puk: Notches first career save. May 24, 2023. cbssports.com. July 23, 2022 . en.
  19. News: Lockard . Melissa . Marlins acquire LHP A.J. Puk from A's for outfielder J.J. Bleday . February 12, 2023 . The Athletic . February 11, 2023.
  20. News: De Nicola . Christina . Marlins, A's swap former first-round picks . February 12, 2023 . MLB.com . February 11, 2023.
  21. Web site: Puk aiming to go back to his roots as a starter. MLB.com.
  22. Web site: Behind decision to move Puk back to bullpen. MLB.com.
  23. News: Passan . Jeff . Diamondbacks acquire reliever A.J. Puk in trade with Marlins . July 26, 2024 . ESPN.com . July 26, 2024.
  24. Web site: A.J. PUK . floridagators.com . September 13, 2020.
  25. Web site: No hitter! Team USA blanks Cuba to open series . July 1, 2015 . usabaseball.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20160808122506/http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20150701&content_id=134148604 . August 8, 2016 . Wayback Machine.