Janson Junk
Junk with the Tampa Tarpons in 2019
Milwaukee Brewers – No. 56
Pitcher
Born: (1996-01-15) January 15, 1996 (age 28)
Federal Way, Washington, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 5, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record1–3
Earned run average4.78
Strikeouts26
Teams

Janson Randall Junk (born January 15, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021.

Amateur career

Junk grew up in Federal Way, Washington, and attended Decatur High School. He played college baseball at Seattle University, spending three seasons (2015–2017)[1] with the Redhawks after joining the team as a walk-on.[2] During the summer of 2015, Junk played collegiate summer baseball with the Bend Elks of the West Coast League.[1] Junk was selected in the 22nd round of the 2017 MLB draft by the New York Yankees.[3]

Professional career

New York Yankees

Junk spent the 2018 season with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs, where he had a 7–5 win–loss record with a 3.77 earned run average (ERA) over 17 appearances.[4] He spent most of the 2019 season with the Class A-Advanced Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League, while also making one start each for the Double-A Trenton Thunder and the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.[5]

Junk did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] Junk began the 2021 season with the Yankees' new Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.[7]

Los Angeles Angels

The Yankees traded Junk and Elvis Peguero to the Los Angeles Angels on July 30, 2021, in exchange for Andrew Heaney.[8] On September 3, the Angels selected Junk's contract from the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas and added him to their major-league roster.[9] He made his MLB debut two days later, starting against the Texas Rangers and taking the loss.[10] He allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in 3 2+⁄3 innings and recorded two strikeouts and one walk.[11]

Junk with the Angels before a game against the Kansas City Royals

On July 27, 2022, Junk earned his first career victory after tossing five scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals.[12]

Milwaukee Brewers

On November 22, 2022, the Angels traded Junk, Elvis Peguero, and Adam Seminaris to the Milwaukee Brewers for Hunter Renfroe.[13] Junk was optioned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the 2023 season.[14]

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b "Janson Junk Amateur, College & Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Decatur RHP Junk quiets doubters in signing with Yankees". Federal Way Mirror. July 24, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Witz, Billy (June 15, 2017). "Yankees Stock Up on Pitchers in Draft Amid Rash of Elbow Injuries". New York Times. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  4. ^ Miller, Randy (May 26, 2021). "Yankees scouting reports: Somerset Patriots' under-the-radar pitching prospects making big strides, including Janson Junk". NJ.com. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  5. ^ https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/k1uj6wlxghsxnhj3pwn1.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  6. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  7. ^ "Janson Junk Wins Northeast League Pitcher of the Week". Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  8. ^ "Yankees get Angels starter Andrew Heaney for Junk in trade". The Morning Call. July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  9. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (September 3, 2021). "Angels release Iglesias, promote RHP Junk". MLB.com. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  10. ^ Hoornstra, J. P. (September 5, 2021). "Angels get a look at young talent in loss to Texas Rangers". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Rangers vs. Angels - Box Score - September 5, 2021". ESPN.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Junk's value on display in series-sealing gem". mlb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  13. ^ "Busy Angels bring on Renfroe in Brewers trade". ESPN.com. November 23, 2022.
  14. ^ "Brewers' Janson Junk: Heads to minor-league camp". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.

External links

Milwaukee Brewers current roster
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