Jack Kruger

Timothy John Kruger (born October 26, 1994) is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels.

Jack Kruger
Free agent
Catcher
Born: (1994-10-26) October 26, 1994
Los Angeles, California
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 6, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Batting average.000
Home runs0
Runs batted in0
Teams

Amateur career

Kruger attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California. In 2013, as a senior, he batted .343 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs.[1] Undrafted out of high school in the 2013 MLB draft, he enrolled at the University of Oregon to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks.

In 2014, as a freshman at Oregon, Kruger appeared in 28 games in which he hit .208 with one home runs and six RBIs.[2] After the year, he transferred to Orange Coast College where he spent his sophomore season in which he batted .310 with 23 RBIs in 46 games.[3][4] Following his breakout sophomore season, he enrolled at Mississippi State University.[5][6] At Mississippi State, Kruger slashed .344/.435/.550 with eight home runs and forty RBIs in 56 games and was named to the All-SEC First Team.[7][8]

Professional career

Los Angeles Angels

After Kruger's junior year, he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB draft.[9] He signed for $395,000 and was assigned to the Arizona League Angels.[10]

After playing three games for the AZL Angels, he was promoted to the Orem Owlz, where he finished the year. In thirty games between the two clubs, he hit .310/.354/.388 with 14 RBIs.[11] In 2017, he began the season with the Burlington Bees before being promoted to the Inland Empire 66ers, batting a combined .240 with five home runs and 39 RBIs in 104 games. Kruger returned to the 66ers to begin 2018, with whom he was named a California League All-Star.[12] He was promoted to the Mobile BayBears in June and finished the year there. In 97 games between the two teams, he slashed .299/.357/.413 with seven home runs, forty RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.[13] He returned to Mobile to begin 2019, hitting .240 with three home runs and 34 RBIs over 92 games. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

To begin the 2021 season, Kruger was assigned to the Salt Lake Bees.[15] On May 6, 2021, Kruger was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[16] He made his MLB debut that day as a defensive replacement for Kurt Suzuki but did not register a plate appearance. On May 7, Kruger was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Drew Butera.[17]

Texas Rangers

On May 9, 2021, Kruger was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.[18] On May 15, Kruger was designated for assignment without having made an appearance for the team.[19] On May 17, Kruger was outrighted to the Round Rock Express.[20] Over 46 games with Round Rock, he batted .267 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.[21]

References
  1. "2013 All-Area Baseball Team: Harvard-Westlake's Jack Flaherty leads Daily News picks". The Sun. 12 June 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  2. "Healthier Jack Kruger a consistent force at the plate". 247sports.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  3. "Mid-Season Update: Jack Kruger". 247sports.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  4. "Community College Baseball Preview: OCC restocked, ready". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  5. "Baseball: Former Oaks Christian standout Jack Kruger hits big for Mississippi State". Daily News. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  6. "Kruger, Lowe earn trust of MSU teammates". The Dispatch. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  7. "MSU's Rooker returns, Kruger signs a professional contract". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  8. "Ole Miss, MSU players take home All-SEC baseball honors". WMC 5. 24 May 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  9. "Seven locals taken in MLB Draft". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  10. "Angels extend to the limit to sign draft pick Jack Kruger". The Orange County Register. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  11. "Former Diamond Dawg Update: Jack Kruger". 247sports.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  12. "California League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters". Baseball America. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  13. "Jack Kruger Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  14. "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  15. Stephen, Eric (2021-05-03). "Angels minors: Triple-A Salt Lake opening day roster includes Jo Adell". Halos Heaven. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  16. Connor Byrne. "Angels Make Several Roster Moves". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  17. "Angels Acquire Drew Butera From Rangers For Cash Considerations - MLB Trade Rumors".
  18. "Rangers Place Kohei Arihara on Injured List, Claim Jack Kruger - MLB Trade Rumors".
  19. "Rangers Select Hunter Wood, Designate Jack Kruger - MLB Trade Rumors".
  20. "Major League Baseball Transactions | MLB.com".
  21. "2021 Angels Player Review: Jack Kruger - Halos Heaven". 2 December 2021.
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