Decatur grad Janson Junk is having a career year with the Miami Marlins
Published 1:40 pm Monday, July 7, 2025
In his first four years of Major League Baseball, Decatur High School alum Janson Junk recorded 42 total strikeouts, pitched in no more than six games in a season and just couldn’t find a groove on the mound.
Junk began his big league career with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, before being traded to Milwaukee in November 2023.
This year in his first season with the Miami Marlins, Junk has made a career high nine appearances (four starts), recorded a career high in strikeouts (36) and has his best ERA in his big-league career of 3.12. His FIP (Field Independent Pitching) is the second best in baseball at 2.00 of starting pitchers who have thrown more than 30 innings, just 2024 AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal has a better FIP than Junk. FIP estimates events a pitcher has most control over; walks, strikeouts, hit by pitches and home runs.
It’s been a long journey for Junk, but one that shows a lot of perseverance and patience. Junk was recalled by the Brewers five times and optioned down to Triple-A Nashville five times before finally being designated for assignment on July 28, 2024.
Junk was then signed by the Houston Astros and sent to Triple-A Sugar Land. He never pitched for Houston and was designated for assignment just 27 days after being signed.
His next stop was with the Oakland Athletics, where he pitched in one game at the major league level. His one game was against the Mariners on Sept. 4 in Oakland. He was designated for assignment for a third time in the 2024 season following the game.
Junk cleared waivers and was out-righted to Triple-A Las Vegas, and at the end of the season, Junk elected free agency.
At the start of the 2025 season, Junk signed with Miami and received an invite to spring training.
In nine games with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Junk had his best stretch of play at any minor league level besides rookie ball. Junk had an ERA of 2.78, recorded 40 strikeouts and had a WHIP under one for the first time in his career (.99).
This led to him being called up to the big leagues on May 24 — and has launched Junk into the best stretch of his professional career. Junk so far this season has recorded more innings, wins, and strikeouts than any other year in his career.
Outside of two appearances where he allowed five runs, Junk has allowed no more than two earned runs in the six other appearances this season.
On July 2, Junk struck out seven in a loss against the Twins on the road. His highest total in a game since 2022, when he struck out eight while pitching for the Angels against the Royals.
Just five days later on July 7, Junk tossed six one-hit innings against the Cincinnati Reds. He struck out three and surrendered just one unearned run in his most recent start.
