Janson Junk

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Janson Junk

|image=Janson Junk.jpg

|caption=Junk with the Tampa Tarpons in 2019

|team = Miami Marlins

|number = 26

|position = Pitcher

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|1|15}}

|birth_place = Federal Way, Washington, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 5

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 14, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 2–3

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.31

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 54

|teams =

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2024}})
Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

}}

Janson Randall Junk (born January 15, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, and Oakland Athletics.

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) with the Redhawks after joining the team as a walk-on.{{cite web|url=https://www.federalwaymirror.com/sports/decatur-rhp-junk-quiets-doubters-in-signing-with-yankees/|title=Decatur RHP Junk quiets doubters in signing with Yankees|work=Federal Way Mirror|date=July 24, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2021}} During the summer of 2015, Junk played collegiate summer baseball with the Bend Elks of the West Coast League.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=junk--000jan |title=Janson Junk Amateur, College & Minor League Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=September 4, 2021}}

Professional career

=New York Yankees=

Junk was selected in the 22nd round, with the 662nd overall pick, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/15/sports/baseball/new-york-yankees-draft-pitchers.html|title=Yankees Stock Up on Pitchers in Draft Amid Rash of Elbow Injuries|first=Billy|last=Witz|newspaper=New York Times|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2021}}

Junk spent the 2018 season with the Single–A Charleston RiverDogs, where he had a 7–5 win–loss record with a 3.77 earned run average (ERA) over 17 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2021/05/yankees-scouting-reports-somerset-patriots-have-under-the-radar-pitching-prospects-making-big-strides-including-janson-junk.html|title=Yankees scouting reports: Somerset Patriots' under-the-radar pitching prospects making big strides, including Janson Junk|first=Randy|last=Miller|website=NJ.com|date=May 26, 2021|access-date=August 2, 2021}} He spent most of the 2019 season with the High–A 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.{{Cite web |title=2021 SOMERSET PATRIOTS GAME NOTES |url=https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/k1uj6wlxghsxnhj3pwn1.pdf }}

Junk did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=March 11, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}} Junk began the 2021 season with the Yankees' new Double–A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.{{Cite web|title=Janson Junk Wins Northeast League Pitcher of the Week|url=https://www.milb.com/news/janson-junk-wins-northeast-league-pitcher-of-the-week|access-date=September 5, 2021}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

File:Janson_Junk_Angels.jpg

The Yankees traded Junk and Elvis Peguero to the Los Angeles Angels on July 30, 2021, in exchange for Andrew Heaney.{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/sports/yankees/ny-andrew-heaney-angels-trade-junk-20210730-uauvjoqjzrd7zkde3lpxvkzp2i-story.html|title=Yankees get Angels starter Andrew Heaney for Junk in trade|work=The Morning Call|date=July 30, 2021|access-date=July 30, 2021}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-release-shortstop-jose-iglesias |title=Angels release Iglesias, promote RHP Junk |first=Rhett |last=Bollinger |website=MLB.com |date=September 3, 2021 |accessdate=September 4, 2021}} He made his MLB debut two days later, starting against the Texas Rangers and taking the loss.{{cite news |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/09/05/angels-get-a-look-at-young-talent-in-loss-to-texas-rangers/ |title=Angels get a look at young talent in loss to Texas Rangers |first=J. P. |last=Hoornstra |website=Orange County Register |date=September 5, 2021 |accessdate=September 5, 2021}} He allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in 3 {{Fraction|2||3}} innings and recorded two strikeouts and one walk.{{cite web |title=Rangers vs. Angels - Box Score - September 5, 2021 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401229109 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=September 23, 2021 |language=en}}

On July 27, 2022, Junk earned his first career victory after tossing five scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals.{{Cite web|title=Junk's value on display in series-sealing gem|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/janson-junk-strikes-out-eight-in-angels-win|access-date=May 25, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On November 22, 2022, the Angels traded Junk, Elvis Peguero, and Adam Seminaris to the Milwaukee Brewers for Hunter Renfroe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35088420/angels-acquire-hunter-renfroe-send-3-pitchers-brewers|title=Busy Angels bring on Renfroe in Brewers trade|date=November 23, 2022|website=ESPN.com}} Junk was optioned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the 2023 season.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Janson Junk: Heads to minor-league camp|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-janson-junk-heads-to-minor-league-camp/amp/|access-date=March 14, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He made only 2 appearances for the Brewers during the season, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits with 5 strikeouts across {{fraction|7|1|3}} innings pitched.

Junk was again optioned to Triple–A Nashville to begin the 2024 season.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Opening Day Roster Starts Taking Shape After Latest Round of Cuts|url=https://brewerfanatic.com/news-rumors/milwaukee-brewers/roster-cuts-spring-training-tyler-black-robert-gasser-janson-junk/|access-date=March 19, 2024|website=brewerfanatic.com|date=March 19, 2024 |language=en}} In 5 appearances for Milwaukee, he posted a 6.75 ERA with 8 strikeouts across 8 innings pitched. Junk was designated for assignment by the Brewers on July 28.{{cite news |title=Brewers' Devin Williams activated from IL, set to make season debut |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40664121/brewers-devin-williams-activated-il-set-make-season-debut |access-date=July 28, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=July 28, 2024}}

=Houston Astros=

On August 2, 2024, Junk was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.{{Cite web|title=Astros Claim Janson Junk|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/astros-claim-janson-junk-waivers-brewers.html|access-date=August 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 4 starts for the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he struggled to a 6.14 ERA with 10 strikeouts over {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched. On August 29, Junk was designated for assignment by the Astros.{{Cite web|title=Astros Designate Janson Junk For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/astros-designate-janson-junk-for-assignment.html|access-date=August 29, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On August 31, 2024, Junk was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.{{Cite web|title=Athletics Claim Janson Junk|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/athletics-claim-janson-junk.html|access-date=August 31, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He made one appearance for Oakland, allowing six hits and two walks without recording an out against the Seattle Mariners. Junk was designated for assignment by Oakland on September 5.{{Cite web|title=A's Designate Janson Junk For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/as-designate-janson-junk-for-assignment.html|access-date=September 5, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators on September 7.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Janson Junk: Clears waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-janson-junk-clears-waivers/amp/|access-date=September 15, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Junk elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|access-date=February 10, 2025|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Miami Marlins=

On February 10, 2025, Junk signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins that included an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|title=Marlins' Janson Junk: Joins club on minor-league pact|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/marlins-janson-junk-joins-club-on-minor-league-pact/|access-date=February 10, 2025|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In nine appearances (eight starts) for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he logged a 4-3 record and 2.78 ERA with 40 strikeouts across {{fraction|45|1|3}} innings pitched. On May 24, the Marlins selected Junk's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=Marlins Select Janson Junk|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/marlins-select-janson-junk.html|access-date=May 24, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}