*Photo from the San Francisco Chronicle*
Former top prospects are being swapped. The Miami Marlins have acquired LHP AJ Puk from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for OF JJ Bleday, according to announcements from both teams.
Both Puk and Bleday are former first round picks, and now they're both getting dealt. Puk was chosen with the 6th overall pick by the Athletics in the 2016 MLB Draft from the University of Florida. Bleday was selected by the Marlins with the 4th overall pick out of Vanderbilt in the 2019 MLB Draft after being a 39th round choice in 2016 by the San Diego Padres.
Puk set career bests in walks per 9 innings with 3.2 and hits per 9 innings with 7.2, while averaging 10.3 strikeouts per 9 innings in his first full season in the majors. He was particularly effective against lefty hitters, holding them to a .153 average and 3 extra base hits in 85 at bats in 2022.
The 2022 season was Puk's 3rd in the majors but his first full season. He ended the year with a 1.15 WHIP, 3.12 ERA, and 3.68 FIP in 66 1/3 innings, striking out 76 hitters while picking up 4 saves in 62 relief appearances.
Puk has his share of injuries in his short professional tenure. Prior to his MLB debut, he underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2018 before debuting in 2019. He sat out the entire 2020 season due to left shoulder surgery and then sat out for some time in 2021 due to a left biceps strain, being limited to 12 appearances that year.
Coming back to the A's is Bleday, who made his big league debut in 2022. Bleday ended the season with a .167 batting average, .277 on base percentage, and .309 slugging percentage, hitting 5 home runs with 16 RBI's in 65 games in 2022, adding 4 stolen bases.
Bleday is a lefty hitting outfielder, which brings needed balance to a righty heavy outfield picture in Oakland. With Triple A Jacksonville in 2022, Bleday hit 20 home runs with 52 RBI's in 85 games last season, prompting the call up to the majors.
Puk joins a revitalized Marlins bullpen, having added Matt Barnes previously via trade. Barnes, Puk, Steven Okert, Dylan Floro, and Tanner Scott as high leverage relievers. Bleday joins an outfield picture that consists of Ramon Laureano, Esteury Ruiz, Cristian Pache, Seth Brown, and Brent Rooker.
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