J.T. Ginn Bio
John Thomas Ginn (born May 20, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in August 2024 after being selected to the Athletics’ 40-man roster following an impressive stint with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. The right-handed pitcher was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft and was traded to Oakland in March 2022. Ginn represented the United States at the 2017 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay, winning a gold medal.
Early Life and Background
John Thomas Ginn was born on May 20, 1999, in Flowood, Mississippi. He grew up in Brandon, Mississippi, where he attended Brandon High School. During his junior year in 2017, Ginn showcased his two-way talent by batting .482 with 16 home runs. That summer, he participated in the prestigious Under Armour All-America Baseball Game at Wrigley Field, further establishing his reputation as one of the top prospects in the country. As a senior, he continued to dominate by hitting .419 with nine home runs and 27 RBI while also pitching to a remarkable 5-1 record with a 0.36 earned run average. His outstanding performance earned him the Mississippi Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year award.
Path to Professional Baseball
Ginn’s exceptional high school career attracted attention from multiple MLB teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected him with the 30th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. However, Ginn chose to honor his commitment to play college baseball at Mississippi State University rather than signing with the Dodgers. His decision proved fruitful, as he made an immediate impact during his freshman year in 2019. Ginn went 8-4 with a 3.36 ERA over 16 starts, striking out 103 batters across 80 innings pitched. His outstanding performance earned him the 2019 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year award, solidifying his status as a top pitching prospect. In March 2020, Ginn underwent Tommy John surgery, which would temporarily sideline his career progression.
J.T. Ginn Career
College and Draft Years (2019-2020)
Following his decorated freshman season at Mississippi State, Ginn prepared for the 2020 MLB Draft. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and his recovery from Tommy John surgery, MLB teams remained interested in his potential. The New York Mets selected Ginn with the 52nd overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. He signed with the organization on June 30, 2020, receiving a $2.9 million signing bonus. Due to the pandemic-related cancellation of the minor league season and his ongoing recovery from surgery, Ginn did not appear in any professional games during 2020.
New York Mets Organization (2021-2022)
Ginn returned to the mound in June 2021, making his professional debut with the St. Lucie Mets of the Low-A Southeast. He showed promising form as he continued his comeback from surgery. In July 2021, Ginn received a promotion to the Brooklyn Cyclones of the High-A East. Over 18 starts combined between the two teams, he posted a 5-5 record with a 3.03 ERA and 81 strikeouts across 92 innings pitched. His performance demonstrated his resilience following the injury and established him as a pitcher with significant upside within the Mets farm system.
Oakland Athletics Era (2022-Present)
On March 12, 2022, the Mets traded Ginn along with Adam Oller to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for pitcher Chris Bassitt. Ginn opened the 2022 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds of the Texas League. He also appeared in games with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Athletics that season. Over 12 starts split between both affiliates, Ginn compiled a 1-4 record and 5.10 ERA with 46 strikeouts across 42 and one-third innings. The 2023 season presented challenges as Ginn struggled with consistency, posting a 7.43 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 26 and two-thirds innings across eight starts between Midland and the ACL Athletics.
Ginn began the 2024 season with Midland, logging a 4-1 record and 4.15 ERA over six starts. His strong performance earned him a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas in May 2024. With the Aviators, he recorded a 4-3 record and 5.72 ERA with 69 strikeouts across 15 games (14 starts). On August 20, 2024, the Athletics selected Ginn to their 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. In eight games (six starts) for Oakland during his rookie campaign, he posted a 1-1 record and 4.24 ERA with 29 strikeouts across 34 innings pitched.
Notable Performances
On May 18, 2026, Ginn delivered a career-defining performance against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. He carried a no-hitter through the eighth inning, showcasing dominant stuff and pinpoint control. Adam Frazier broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff single in the ninth inning. Zach Neto then hit a walk-off two-run homer, handing Ginn and the Athletics a 2-1 loss. Despite the heartbreaking outcome, the performance highlighted Ginn’s ability to pitch at an elite level and compete against major league lineups.
J.T. Ginn Career Wins
Through June 26, 2026, Ginn has compiled an 11-12 win-loss record with a 4.14 ERA and 206 strikeouts across his MLB career with the Oakland Athletics. His minor league career includes additional wins across multiple levels in both the Mets and Athletics organizations.
MLB Highlights
Ginn earned his first MLB win during the 2024 season with the Oakland Athletics. His career totals through mid-2026 stand at 11 wins against 12 losses, accompanied by 206 strikeouts and a 4.14 ERA. The right-hander continues to develop as a starting pitcher within the Athletics organization, working toward more consistent results and additional victories at the major league level.
Minor League Achievements
Prior to his MLB debut, Ginn accumulated wins at the minor league level. His most notable minor league season came in 2021, when he went a combined 5-5 with a 3.03 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 92 innings between St. Lucie and Brooklyn. He also recorded four wins each with Midland in 2022 and Las Vegas in 2024 before his promotion to Oakland.
| Competition Level | Wins | Losses | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2024-2026) | 11 | 12 | 206 |
J.T. Ginn Family
Family Background
John Thomas Ginn was born in Flowood, Mississippi, to Wanda Ginn and Mike Ginn. Limited additional information about his family background has been made publicly available.
Personal Life
Ginn maintains a private personal life away from the baseball field. Details regarding relationships or other personal matters are not extensively covered in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
Ginn opened the 2025 season with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators after being optioned to the minor leagues to begin the campaign. The assignment provided him with an opportunity to refine his stuff and compete for consistent playing time at the Triple-A level. He worked with the Aviators coaching staff to address areas of his game that needed improvement following his rookie MLB season.
The Oakland Athletics continue to develop their young pitching core as part of their long-term rebuilding strategy. Ginn remains a key part of this initiative, and his performance with Las Vegas will determine his path back to the major league roster. The organization values his competitive drive and believes in his potential to become a reliable major league starter.
Health and consistency remain the primary focus for Ginn as he works through the 2025 season. Staying healthy and logging quality innings will be essential for his development and eventual return to Oakland. The experience gained at the Triple-A level against more experienced hitters will serve him well as he continues his professional career.