Former Waterloo Bucks left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk was called up to the big leagues Tuesday by the Oakland Athletics.

The Cedar Rapids native joins Chicago White Sox infielder Ryan Goins as former Bucks who are active Major Leaguers. When Puk enters a game, he'll become the 16th former Buck to play Major League Baseball.

Puk, who played with Waterloo in 2014, is currently the No. 2 prospect in the A's organization. He has played in Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A this season, most recently with the Las Vegas Aviators of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. This season in the minors, Puk has compiled a 4-1 record with a 4.97 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched.

A University of Florida product, Puk played in 11 games as both a pitcher and an infielder with the Bucks in 2014. On the mound, he started two games (only appearances) and compiled a 2.08 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 8.2 innings. At the plate, Puk hit .227 with two doubles and three RBI.

Puk was the sixth overall pick by the A’s in the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the highest selection of any player who's ever worn a Waterloo Bucks uniform.

WATERLOO BUCKS ALUMNI TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOW
PLAYER
MLB DEBUT
DEBUT TEAM
SEASONS WITH BUCKS
7/31/2002
Montreal Expos
1997
9/20/2002
Kansas City Royals
1996
5/20/2003
New York Mets
1998
6/29/2003
St. Louis Cardinals
1997
9/5/2003
Colorado Rockies
1999-2000
None**
Philadelphia Phillies
2001
6/6/2007
Toronto Blue Jays
2002
9/5/2007
New York Mets
1999
4/30/2012
Miami Marlins
2006-07
5/16/2013
Detroit Tigers
2005
6/8/2013
Seattle Mariners
2007
8/23/2013
Toronto Blue Jays
2008
4/18/2014
Seattle Mariners
2008
6/20/2017
Philadelphia Phillies
2011
4/25/2018
Kansas City Royals
2013
6/24/2018
New York Mets
2012 & 2014
Oakland Athletics
2014
* denotes active Major Leaguer
** denotes called up to MLB, but never played

 

More From K92.3