A.J. Puk Bio
Andrew Jacob Puk is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. A first-round selection in 2016, Puk made his major league debut in 2019 and has appeared for the Oakland Athletics, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Jacob Puk was born on April 25, 1995, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, where he played baseball and football, serving as a first baseman and pitcher in baseball and as a quarterback on the football team.
Puk was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 35th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft but declined to sign and enrolled at the University of Florida to play college baseball for the Florida Gators. As a freshman he appeared in 19 games with seven starts, finishing the season with a 5–2 record and a 3.35 ERA and pitching in summer wood-bat leagues to continue his development.
Path to Baseball
At the University of Florida Puk progressed into a top prospect, showcasing a high-velocity fastball and swing-and-miss breaking pitches that drew national attention ahead of the 2016 draft. He represented the United States on the collegiate national team in 2015 and combined with teammates to throw a no-hitter against Cuba during that summer.
Entering the 2016 Major League Baseball draft as one of the top arms available, Puk was selected sixth overall by the Oakland Athletics. He signed with a substantial bonus and began his professional development in the Athletics’ minor league system that season.
A.J. Puk Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Puk began pro ball in 2016 with the Vermont Lake Monsters of the Low–A New York–Penn League, finishing that season in 10 starts with a 0–4 record and a 3.03 ERA. In 2017 he stepped up to High–A Stockton and Double–A Midland, combining for a 6–10 record, a 4.03 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 124 innings across both levels as he developed his repertoire of fastball, curve and changeup.
On April 11, 2018, Puk underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the 2018 season while rehabilitating. The surgery interrupted a period of growth but is a common procedure for power arms; Puk returned to game action in 2019 as he completed his recovery and prepared for a major league promotion.
Oakland Athletics Breakthrough (2019–2022)
The Oakland Athletics promoted Puk to the major leagues on August 20, 2019. He made his MLB debut on August 21 against the New York Yankees, retiring one of three batters he faced that night. Puk recorded his first major league win on September 5, 2019, working two innings of relief with two strikeouts.
Over the 2019 season he appeared in 10 games and compiled a 2–0 record with a 3.18 ERA. Shoulder issues curtailed his availability in 2020, and the Athletics shut him down late in that season with lingering problems that required attention. In 2021 Puk appeared in 12 games for Oakland, and in 2022 he transitioned between starting and relief work in spring training before settling into the bullpen, making 62 appearances with a 3.12 ERA, four saves and 76 strikeouts in 66.1 innings.
Miami Marlins Tenure (2023–2024)
On February 11, 2023, the Athletics traded Puk to the Miami Marlins in exchange for outfielder J.J. Bleday. Used primarily out of the Marlins’ bullpen in 2023, Puk made 58 appearances, compiling a 7–5 record with a 3.97 ERA, 78 strikeouts and 15 saves across 56 2/3 innings.
Miami briefly experimented with Puk as a starting pitcher in 2024. He made four starts with a 9.22 ERA before landing on the injured list and moving back to a relief role after recovery. The Marlins then traded Puk in mid-2024 as both clubs adjusted bullpen and prospect assets.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2024–Present)
On July 25, 2024, the Miami Marlins traded Puk to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Deyvison De Los Santos and Andrew Pintar. Puk contributed strongly down the stretch for Arizona in 2024, making 30 appearances and recording a 1.32 ERA with 43 strikeouts and two saves in 27 1/3 innings.
Early in the 2025 season Puk was shut down with a flexor strain on April 29 and transferred to the 60-day injured list two days later. On June 20, 2025, he underwent an internal brace procedure that ended his season. In eight appearances for Arizona in 2025 before surgery he posted a 3.38 ERA with 12 strikeouts and four saves across eight innings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Puk is best known for a high-velocity fastball paired with a sharp breaking ball and a developing changeup, which together have produced strong strikeout totals at several levels. He has shown the ability to miss bats in short relief stints and to handle late-inning situations, and teams have alternated between stretching him out as a starter and deploying him as a power reliever based on roster needs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Notable moments include his selection with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 draft, his major league debut in August 2019, recording his first MLB win in September 2019, and converting multiple saves for two different clubs. His combined no-hitter with the United States collegiate national team in 2015 is a highlight from his amateur career.
A.J. Puk Career Wins
Puk’s major league record through the 2025 season shows a 17–20 win–loss mark with a 3.53 earned run average, 283 strikeouts and 26 saves. Those totals summarize his work across relief and occasional starting assignments with Oakland, Miami and Arizona.
Major League Highlights
His first major league win came on September 5, 2019, in relief for the Oakland Athletics. He recorded his first career saves in the 2022 season with Oakland and added to his save total in subsequent seasons with Miami and Arizona, establishing himself as a late-inning option when healthy.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Before reaching the majors Puk produced heavy strikeout totals in the minors, posting 184 strikeouts across 124 innings in 2017 between High–A and Double–A. Internationally, he was part of the United States collegiate national team that combined to no-hit Cuba in 2015.
A.J. Puk Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Puk grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and established himself athletically at Washington High School before moving to the University of Florida. Public records provided do not detail his parents or extended family connections in the sport.
Personal Life
In April 2015 Puk was arrested on a third-degree criminal trespass charge stemming from climbing a crane on the University of Florida campus; the charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor and he received a brief suspension before returning to play and helping lead the Gators to the 2015 College World Series. There is no public record in these sources of a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was curtailed by injury for Puk. After early appearances in relief that produced four saves and a 3.38 ERA in eight innings, a diagnosed flexor strain and subsequent internal brace procedure ended his campaign. The surgery and rehabilitation timetable will determine his role and availability for the following season, and Arizona’s handling of his workload will shape his return to late-inning duty or a possible shift in role.