Janson Junk Bio
Janson Randall Junk (born January 15, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed starter, he has pitched in the major leagues for the Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Miami Marlins since making his debut in 2021. Junk began his professional career after being selected by the New York Yankees in the 2017 MLB draft and has since moved across several organizations while working primarily out of the starting rotation.
Early Life and Background
Janson Randall Junk was born on January 15, 1996, in Federal Way, Washington, and grew up in the same city. Federal Way, a suburb located between Seattle and Tacoma, gave Junk an early environment in which to develop his interest in baseball.
He attended Decatur High School in Federal Way, where he played on the school’s baseball team and began drawing attention as a pitching prospect. His time at Decatur helped him build the foundation that would later lead to a college opportunity.
After graduating from Decatur, Junk enrolled at Seattle University, joining the Redhawks college baseball program. He spent three seasons with the Redhawks from 2015 through 2017, beginning his time with the team as a walk-on. During the summer of 2015, he also played collegiate summer baseball with the Bend Elks of the West Coast League, gaining additional experience against high-level amateur competition.
Path to Professional Baseball
Junk’s three seasons at Seattle University allowed him to develop into a draft-eligible prospect. As a walk-on who earned a regular role with the Redhawks, he steadily improved his stock and caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts.
That development led to his selection in the 22nd round, with the 662nd overall pick, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees. The selection marked his official entry into professional baseball and began a career path that has carried him across multiple organizations over the following years.
Janson Junk Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Junk began his professional career in the Yankees’ minor league system. In 2018, he spent the season with the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs, posting a 7-5 win-loss record with a 3.77 earned run average (ERA) across 17 appearances. The year gave him his first full taste of professional baseball and a chance to refine his command.
He spent most of the 2019 season with the High-A Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League and also made one start each for the Double-A Trenton Thunder and the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Junk did not play in a game in 2020 because the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he began the 2021 season with the Yankees’ new Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2021–2022)
On July 30, 2021, the Yankees traded Junk and Elvis Peguero to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Andrew Heaney. On September 3, the Angels selected Junk’s contract from the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas and added him to their major-league roster. He made his MLB debut two days later, starting against the Texas Rangers and taking the loss after allowing five runs, four of them earned, on six hits in 3 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and one walk.
Junk remained with the Angels into 2022, working to establish himself at the major league level. On July 27, 2022, he earned his first career victory after tossing five scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals, a milestone that gave him a foothold in the Angels’ pitching plans.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2023–2024)
On November 22, 2022, the Angels traded Junk, Elvis Peguero, and Adam Seminaris to the Milwaukee Brewers for Hunter Renfroe. Junk was optioned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the 2023 season, where he continued to develop as a starter. He made only two appearances for the Brewers during the season, allowing five runs, four of them earned, on eight hits with five strikeouts across 7 1/3 innings pitched.
Junk was again optioned to Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2024 season. In five appearances for Milwaukee, he posted a 6.75 ERA with eight strikeouts across eight innings pitched. The Brewers designated him for assignment on July 28, 2024, ending his time with the organization.
Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros (2024)
On August 2, 2024, Junk was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros. In four starts for the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he struggled to a 6.14 ERA with ten strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings pitched. The Astros designated him for assignment on August 29.
Two days later, on August 31, 2024, Junk was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. He made one appearance for Oakland, allowing six hits and two walks without recording an out against the Seattle Mariners. The Athletics designated him for assignment on September 5, and he cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators on September 7. Junk elected free agency following the season on November 4.
Miami Marlins Era (2025–Present)
On February 10, 2025, Junk signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins that included an invitation to spring training. In nine appearances, eight of them starts, for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he logged a 4-3 record and 2.78 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 45 1/3 innings pitched. On May 24, the Marlins selected Junk’s contract, adding him to their active roster and giving him a fresh opportunity in the major leagues.
Driving Style and Strengths
Junk works primarily as a starting pitcher who relies on command and the ability to log innings. His minor league track record shows consistent strikeout totals, and his Triple-A performance with Jacksonville in 2025 demonstrated an ability to miss bats while keeping earned runs low. The Marlins’ decision to add him to the active roster reflected confidence in his upside as a rotation depth option.
Notable Events and Milestones
Junk’s most notable milestones include his 2021 MLB debut with the Angels, his first career victory against the Kansas City Royals in July 2022, and his 2025 promotion to the Miami Marlins’ active roster. The trade that sent him from the Yankees to the Angels as part of the Andrew Heaney deal also marked a defining early-career moment.
Janson Junk Career Wins
Janson Randall Junk has recorded limited but meaningful win totals at the major league level, with his first career victory coming during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. He has continued to add to his major league résumé after joining the Miami Marlins in 2025, providing his clubs with innings and occasional wins as a rotation or depth option.
Los Angeles Angels Highlights
Junk earned his first career MLB win on July 27, 2022, when he tossed five scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals. The victory gave him a milestone moment during his early tenure with the Angels and helped solidify his place in the organization’s pitching depth.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his first major league victory, Junk has continued to contribute in starting and relief roles for the Brewers, Athletics, and Marlins, with consistent minor league strikeout totals that highlight his ability to generate swings and misses.
Janson Junk Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Janson Randall Junk was raised in Federal Way, Washington, though detailed information about his parents and family background is not widely documented in publicly available sources. His upbringing in the Pacific Northwest provided the foundation for his baseball career.
Personal Life
Janson Randall Junk keeps his personal life largely private, and details about a spouse or children are not publicly confirmed. His professional journey from Decatur High School to Seattle University and through the Yankees, Angels, Brewers, Astros, Athletics, and Marlins organizations remains the central public story of his career.
2025 Season Performance
Janson Randall Junk’s 2025 season began with a minor league contract signed with the Miami Marlins on February 10, 2025, which included an invitation to spring training. He opened the year with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, where his strong performance, including a 4-3 record and 2.78 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 45 1/3 innings, put him in position for another major league opportunity.
On May 24, 2025, the Marlins selected Junk’s contract, adding him to the active roster as a starting pitching option. His promotion rewarded his consistency in Triple-A and gave the Marlins a fresh arm capable of providing depth in the rotation.
Looking ahead through the remainder of the 2025 season, Junk’s role with the Marlins will depend on his continued ability to command the strike zone and limit damage over multiple innings. With several major league appearances already on his résumé, his 2025 campaign represents a chance to establish himself as a reliable contributor in Miami’s pitching staff.