The Oakland A’s acquired outfielder JJ Bleday for left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk in a trade with the Miami Marlins on Saturday.
The A’s have acquired outfielder JJ Bleday from the Miami Marlins for left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk.
— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) February 12, 2023
Bleday played in 65 games during his rookie season in Miami slashing .167/.277/.309 with 34 hits in 238 plate appearances. During his Triple-A stint in Jacksonville, he hit with a .277 average, tallying 20 home runs (tied for most in the International League) and 69 hits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_FrxXdnTd0
Bleday, 25, was a first-round, fourth-overall selection by the Marlins in the 2019 MLB Draft after hitting 27 home runs with Vanderbilt in 2019. The same season he helped carry the team to the College World Series Championship.
Bleday, who has some sneaky power at the plate, could share outfield responsibilities with Ramón Laureano and Seth Brown in the upcoming 2023 season. Brown will get more outfield reps with the A’s signing first baseman/designated hitter Jesús Aguilar to a one-year deal.
Puk was a sixth overall draft pick by the A’s back in 2016, and quickly became one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, but remained riddled with injury.
A.J. Puk, 96mph Fastball and 88mph Slider, Individual Pitches + Overlay. pic.twitter.com/oOlNXLCMw8
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 21, 2022
The 27-year-old also took an interesting journey regarding the role he would play with the A’s.
Puk originally was a starter since his days as a Florida Gator. As time went on, he was sent to the bullpen.
Last season as a reliever, he finished with a 3.12 ERA — 76 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings.
Puk looks to be reunited with former A’s top pitching prospect Jesús Luzardo, and roommate, who was traded to the Marlins for Starling Marte and cash considerations in 2021.
When A’s general manager David Forst spoke to the media in mid-January, he said the plan for the A’s was to have Puk on track to be a starter. It’s unsure whether or not the Marlins will have that same plan as well.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.