Jared Koenig

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Jared Koenig

|image =

|team = Milwaukee Brewers

|number = 47

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|1|24}}

|birth_place = San Jose, California, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 8

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Oakland Athletics

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 24, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 13–8

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.75

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 117

|teams =

Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2022}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

}}

Jared Tyler Koenig (born January 24, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics.

Amateur career

Koenig grew up in Aptos, California, and attended Aptos High School.{{cite web|url=https://pajaronian.com/weekend-roundup-819-corralitos-baseball-player-falcon-magana-commits-to-sfsu/|title=Weekend Roundup, 8/19: Corralitos baseball player Falcon Magaña commits to SFSU|work=The Pajaronian|date=August 19, 2019|access-date=May 24, 2022}}

Koenig began his college baseball career at Central Arizona College. He was selected in the 35th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago White Sox, but was not offered a contract by the team along with other late-round picks after signing first rounder Carlos Rodón to an above-slot signing bonus. After his sophomore season Koenig transferred to Old Dominion University.{{cite web|url=https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2013/11/12/local-roundup-jared-koenig-to-sign-with-old-dominion-baseball-team/|title=Local Roundup: Jared Koenig to sign with Old Dominion baseball|work=Santa Cruz Sentinel|date=November 12, 2013|access-date=May 20, 2022}} Koenig pitched for the Old Dominion Monarchs baseball team for one season before transferring to California State University, Monterey Bay to pitch for the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters for his senior season.{{cite web|url=https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2019/09/19/aptos-jared-koenig-to-pitch-for-auckland-tuatara-in-australia|title=Aptos' Jared Koenig to pitch for Auckland Tuatara in New Zealand|work=Santa Cruz Sentinel|date=September 19, 2019|access-date=May 20, 2022}}

Professional career

=Independent leagues=

After going unselected in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, Koenig signed Monterey Amberjacks of the independent Pecos League prior to the start of the 2017 season. He later pitched for Salina Stockade American Association of Professional Baseball before being traded to San Rafael Pacifics of the Pacific Association. Koenig also played for the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League during the 2017 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3321511/2022/05/19/as-prospect-jared-koenig-nearing-the-big-leagues-after-a-baseball-odyssey-that-spanned-two-continents/|title=A's prospect Jared Koenig nearing the big leagues after a baseball odyssey that spanned two continents|first=Melissa|last=Lockard|website=The Athletic|date=May 19, 2022|access-date=May 24, 2022}}

Koenig returned to San Rafael in 2018 and was named the Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year after posting a 11–1 record with 3.54 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 16 starts.{{cite web|url=https://www.marinij.com/2018/12/11/sports-briefs-pacifics-koenig-named-pitcher-of-the-year/|title=Sports briefs: Pacifics' Koenig named Pitcher of the Year|work=Marin Independent Journal|date=December 11, 2018|access-date=May 24, 2022}} Koenig pitched for the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League in 2019 and went 7–2 with a 2.24 ERA and 133 strikeouts in {{frac|104|1|3}} innings pitched. Following the season, he signed to play for the Auckland Tuatara in the Australian Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/115780848/auckland-tuatara-lock-in-us-pitcher-jared-koenig-for-australian-baseball-league-campaign|title=Auckland Tuatara lock in US pitcher Jared Koenig for Australian Baseball League campaign|website=Stuff.co.nz|date=September 13, 2019|access-date=May 24, 2022}} While pitching for Auckland Koenig was noticed by Dan Betreen, an international scout for the Oakland Athletics.

=Oakland Athletics=

Koenig signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on December 21, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/baseball-auckland-tuatara-pitcher-jared-koenigs-long-road-to-major-league-baseball/ZS6JI2C7DVMGCEONDG4YVIFQ64/|title=Baseball: Auckland Tuatara pitcher Jared Koenig's long road to Major League Baseball|first=Christopher|last=Reive|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=December 21, 2019|access-date=May 24, 2022}} He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Koenig trained with his younger brother, a player at Cabrillo College, until taking part in Oakland's fall instructional league. He spent the 2021 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds and was named the Double-A Central Pitcher of the Year after going 7–5 with a 3.26 ERA and 100 strikeouts in {{frac|121|1|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.mrt.com/sports/rockhounds/article/ROCKHOUNDS-REPORT-Midland-ends-season-with-a-16471592.php|title=ROCKHOUNDS REPORT: Midland ends season with a home win|work=Midland Reporter-Telegram|date=September 20, 2021|access-date=May 24, 2022}} Koenig was assigned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators at the start of the 2022 season.

On June 8, Koenig was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Jared Koenig: Contract selected prior to start|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-jared-koenig-contract-selected-prior-to-start/amp/access-date=2023-02-08|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} That same day, Koenig would make his Major League Baseball debut vs. the Atlanta Braves. In the second inning, he earned his first MLB strikeout on William Contreras. Despite Koenig's four innings of one-run ball, the defending 2021 World Series champions rallied in the fifth, giving Koenig the loss.{{cite web|url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/as-28-year-old-rookie-shines-in-mlb-debut-but-braves-extend-oakland-losin/|title=A's 28-year-old rookie shines in MLB debut, but Braves extend Oakland losing streak to 8|work=The Press Democrat|date=June 8, 2022|access-date=June 23, 2022}}

Koenig’s third career start for the Oakland Athletics came on June 19, vs the Kansas City Royals where he would pitch {{frac|5|2|3}} innings of scoreless ball, earning him his first MLB win.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jared-koenig-earns-first-mlb-win-against-royals|title=Koenig gets 'special' 1st W on Father's Day|work=MLB.com|date=June 19, 2022|access-date=June 23, 2022}} Koenig finished his rookie campaign appearing in 10 games (5 starts), pitching to a 1-3 record and 5.72 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 39.1 innings of work. He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 18, 2022.

=San Diego Padres=

On February 23, 2023, Koenig signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.{{Cite web|title=Padres' Jared Koenig: Inks MiLB deal with San Diego|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-jared-koenig-inks-milb-deal-with-san-diego/amp/access-date=2023-02-24|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 48 appearances split between the Double-A San Antonio Missions and Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, he pitched to a cumulative 3.81 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 7 saves in 59 innings of work.{{Cite web|title=2023 Player Pitching Game Log|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=koenig000jar&type=pgl&year=2023|website=baseball-reference.com|language=en}} Koenig elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=May 14, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On November 17, 2023, Koenig signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/brewers-sign-enoli-paredes-jared-koenig-to-minor-league-deals.html | title=Brewers Sign Enoli Paredes, Jared Koenig to Minor League Deals | date=November 17, 2023 }} He began the season with the Triple–A Nashville Sounds. On April 14, 2024, the Brewers selected Koenig's contract to the active roster.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Jared Koenig: Contract selected by Milwaukee|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-jared-koenig-contract-selected-by-milwaukee/amp/|access-date=April 14, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} The following day, Koenig made his Milwaukee debut against the San Diego Padres where he threw two scoreless innings and earned his first Brewers strikeout against Fernando Tatis Jr. Koenig became the 1,000th player to appear in at least one game in a Brewers uniform.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jared-koenig-brewers-1000th-player-franchise-history | title=Koenig's winding journey to becoming Brewers' 1000th player | date=April 20, 2024 }} On May 25, Koenig became the first Brewers pitcher since Zack Greinke to start two consecutive games.{{cite web | url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2024/05/25/jared-koenig-and-zack-greinke-now-have-something-in-common-with-the-brewers/73823695007/ | title=Jared Koenig and Zack Greinke now have something in common with the Brewers | date=May 25, 2024 }}

References

External links

{{baseballstats |mlb=657649 |br=k/koenija01 |brm=koenig000jar |fangraphs=27517 |espn=4995802 |retro=K/Pkoenj001}}

[https://www.vaquerosports.com/sports/bsb/2013-14/bios/koenig_jared_yr4s Central Arizona Vaqueros bio]
[https://odusports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jared-koenig/3902 Old Dominion Monarchs bio]
[https://otterathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jared-koenig/3198 Cal State Monterey Bay Otters bio]

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Auckland Tuatara players

Category:Baseball players from San Jose, California

Category:Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers players

Category:Cal State Monterey Bay Otters baseball players

Category:Central Arizona Vaqueros baseball players

Category:El Paso Chihuahuas players

Category:Expatriate baseball players in New Zealand

Category:Lake Erie Crushers players

Category:Las Vegas Aviators players

Category:Major League Baseball pitchers