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A. J. Puk

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A. J. Puk
Puk with the Marlins in 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 33
Pitcher
Born: (1995-04-25) April 25, 1995 (age 29)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
August 21, 2019, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record17–20
Earned run average3.53
Strikeouts271
Saves22
Teams

Andrew Jacob Puk (/pək/ PUHK;[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

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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

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Oakland Athletics

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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.[10] 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.

Puk with the Las Vegas Aviators in 2019

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 (111⁄3 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 13+1⁄3 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

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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 56+2⁄3 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

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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

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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]

References

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