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Jared Koenig seeing his hard work pay off with Oakland A’s

By David Hill

Apr 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A baseball rests on the pitching mound before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A baseball rests on the pitching mound before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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It would have been easy for Jared Koenig to give up on his baseball dreams. He was undrafted after a relatively unremarkable collegiate career. As it was, he would have gone further in his baseball journey than many others, getting a chance to take the mound in college.

Instead, he kept battling, waiting for his opportunity. His journey took him through five different independent leagues and to the Australian Baseball League between 2017 and 2019. That showing in Australia was enough for the Oakland A’s to sign him to a minor league deal, only for him to see the 2020 season get wiped out due to the global pandemic.

Jared Koenig getting his chance with Oakland A’s

Koenig made up for lost time in a hurry. He pitched well in Double-A in his first year in affiliated ball, posting a 3.26 ERA and a 1.245 WHiP over 121.1 innings, striking out 100 batters with 43 walks. He was named the left handed pitcher in the A’s organizational All Stars for 2021, marking him as someone worth keeping an eye on.

He had been even better thus far in Triple-A. Koenig had posted a 2.21 ERA and a 1.019 WHiP in 53 innings, striking out 61 batters with 15 walks. Given his results, and the A’s quest to find competent arms, it is not a surprise that he is getting to make his major league debut as he will be called up for Wednesday.

Koenig does not exactly have an easy assignment as he is slated to take on the Braves. That opponent is somewhat fitting, however, as he has battled against the odds throughout his entire career. It would not be a surprise if the same happens this time and Koenig has a better outing than anyone would expect.

That could just be the beginning as well. The A’s have been searching for someone to solidify the back of their rotation. Should Koenig have a strong outing, he could end up going from an independent league journeyman to a part of the A’s major league rotation going forward.

Next. Muncy starting to heat up in Stockton. dark

Jared Koenig has battled the odds just to make it this far. His improbable journey is set to pay off as he will make his Oakland A’s debut on Wednesday.