Jack O'Loughlin (baseball) explained

Jack O'Loughlin
Position:Pitcher
Team:Oakland Athletics
Number:37
Birth Date:14 March 2000
Birth Place:Adelaide, Australia
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:26 May
Debutyear:2024
Debutteam:Oakland Athletics
Statyear:6 August 2024
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:4.66
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:6
Teams:

Jack Te Haki O'Loughlin (born 14 March 2000) is an Australian minor league baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Career

Detroit Tigers

On 16 July 2016, O'Loughlin signed with the Detroit Tigers.[1] In November 2016, O'Loughlin pitched for the Adelaide Bite, and became the youngest Australian Baseball League starting pitcher.[1]

In 2018, O'Loughlin made his affiliated professional debut for the Low–A Connecticut Tigers, appearing in 7 games and logging a 4.35 ERA with 25 strikeouts in innings of work.[2] He returned to Connecticut in 2019, making 13 appearances (12 starts) and registering a 3.13 ERA with 49 strikeouts across innings pitched.[3]

O'Loughlin did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] He returned to action in 2021, splitting the year between the rookie–level Florida Complex League Tigers, Low–A Lakeland Flying Tigers, and High–A West Michigan Whitecaps. On 18 July 2021, while pitching for Lakeland, he was named the Low-A Southeast Pitcher of the Week.[5] In 14 cumulative starts, O'Loughlin worked to a 5–2 record and 2.64 ERA with 52 strikeouts in innings pitched.[6]

He spent the 2022 season back in West Michigan, recording a 4.01 ERA with 50 strikeouts in innings pitched across 27 contests.[7] In 2023, O'Loughlin split the year between West Michigan and the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens. In 27 games (25 starts), he pitched to a cumulative 6–10 record and 3.99 ERA with 118 strikeouts across 124.0 innings of work. O'Loughlin elected free agency following the season on 6 November 2023.[8]

Oakland Athletics

On 9 November 2023, O'Loughlin signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization.[9] In 10 games (8 starts) for the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators, he compiled a 5.12 ERA with 44 strikeouts across innings pitched. On 25 May 2024, O'Loughlin was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] On 26 May, O'Loughlin made his major league debut. Entering in relief, he pitched three shutout innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out two against the Houston Astros.

International career

He represented the Australia national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic,[11] pitching in Australia's games against South Korea[12] and the Czech Republic.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aussie teenager Jack O'Loughlin boasts huge upside in Tigers farm system. Emily. Waldon. The Athletic.
  2. Web site: Minor Details: Tigers prospects Alex Faedo, Jack O'Loughlin catch our eye. Emily. Waldon. The Athletic.
  3. Web site: Jack O'Loughlin Stats & Scouting Report. 18 November 2023. baseballamerica.com. en.
  4. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. 18 November 2023. mlb.com. en.
  5. Web site: Jack O'Loughlin named Low-A Southeast Pitcher of the Week. Jason. Irvine. 22 July 2021. The Inner Sanctum.
  6. Web site: Jack O'Loughlin - Baseball Stats. 18 November 2023. thebaseballcube.com. en.
  7. Web site: Jack O'Loughlin - Stats - Pitching. 18 November 2023. fangraphs.com. en.
  8. Web site: Cooper . J.J. . College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects . College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America . 8 November 2023 . 2 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Athletics' Jack O'Loughlin: Inks minors deal with Oakland. 18 November 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  10. Web site: Athletics Place Ross Stripling On 15-Day IL, Designate Brandon Bielak. 25 May 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  11. Web site: Jack O'Loughlin named starter for Game 1 of the World Baseball Classic | Baseball.com.au. baseball.com.au.
  12. Web site: Detroit Tigers' Jack O'Loughlin kickstarts Australian upset of Korea in WBC. Detroit Free Press.
  13. Web site: Australia advances to first World Baseball Classic quarterfinal after win over Czech Republic | Baseball.com.au. baseball.com.au.