Evan Kruczynski

Evan Kruczynski
Pitcher
Born: (1995-03-31) March 31, 1995 (age 29)
Franklin, Wisconsin
Bats: Left
Throws: Left

Evan Jacob Kruczynski (born March 31, 1995) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Amateur career

Kruczynski attended Franklin High School in Franklin, Wisconsin.[1] He helped Franklin win baseball state championships as a freshman in 2010 and a sophomore in 2011.[2] As a junior in 2012, he was 4–4 with a 1.97 ERA, striking out 73 batters in 46+1⁄3 innings pitched.[3] Undrafted out of high school, he enrolled at East Carolina University where he played college baseball for the East Carolina Pirates.[4]

Kruczynski made only three appearances as a freshman in 2014, but in 2015, as a sophomore, led the team with 16 starts in which he posted an 8–4 record with a 3.17 ERA.[5] As a junior in 2016, he pitched to an 8–1 record with a 2.01 ERA in 17 starts.[6] In 2017, as a senior for the Pirates, he suffered a broken leg and only made ten starts in which he compiled a 4–3 record with a 4.47 ERA.[7] After the season, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB draft.[8] He signed for $3,000.[9]

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

After signing, Kruczynski made his professional debut with the Peoria Chiefs.[10] He spent the remainder of the year with Peoria, going 4–3 with a 3.41 ERA in 14 games (13 starts).[11] He began 2018 with the Palm Beach Cardinals,[12] with whom he was named a Florida State League All-Star,[13] and was promoted to the Springfield Cardinals in July.[14] In 21 total starts between the two teams, he was 7–6 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.[15] He was assigned to play for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League after the season.[16]

Kruczynski began 2019 back with Springfield,[17] and he was promoted to the Memphis Redbirds in May. He was reassigned back to Springfield in June, and finished the season there. Over 28 games (26 starts) between the two clubs, he pitched to a 4–10 record with a 6.09 ERA, striking out 146 over 147+2⁄3 innings.[18] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] He returned to Memphis to begin the 2021 season, but pitched only 18+1⁄3 innings due to injury, going 2-0 with a 6.38 ERA and 22 strikeouts.[citation needed] On March 25, 2022, Kruczynski was released by the Cardinals organization.[20]

Lake Country DockHounds

On March 31, 2022, Kruczynski signed with the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[21] He made 19 appearances (18 starts) for the team, posting a 6-6 record and 5.45 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 102+1⁄3 innings pitched.

In 2023, Kruczynski pitched in 3 games for Lake Country, but struggled immensely, allowing 8 runs in 12 hits and 8 walks with 2 strikeouts in 4+1⁄3 innings of work. He was released by the team on May 27, 2023.[22]

References

  1. ^ "Oak Creek's Alex Binelas is part of exciting Wisconsin class for 2018 MLB Draft. He's also All-Suburban Player of the Year". Jsonline.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "Chinooks Add Homegrown Talent - Lakeshore Chinooks : Lakeshore Chinooks". Northwoodsleague.com. February 27, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  3. ^ Rivals Publisher. "PirateIllustrated.com - Baseball Signees". Eastcarolina.rivals.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "Evan Kruczynski Class of 2013 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA". Perfectgame.org. September 30, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  5. ^ Brian Bailey (February 18, 2016). "Pirates set to open 2016 baseball season". Wnct.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  6. ^ "No regrets for Kruczynski - Daily Reflector". Reflector.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  7. ^ "Evan Kruczynski drafted in ninth round by St. Louis Cardinals". 247sports.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  8. ^ "Former Franklin High School pitcher Evan Kruczynski selected in MLB Draft". Jsonline.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Edwards, Craig (July 10, 2017). "Cardinals 2017 MLB Draft Signings Tracker". Viva El Birdos. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  10. ^ Post-Dispatch store (June 28, 2017). "June 28 minor league report: Kruczynski makes strong debut in Peoria | Cardinal Beat". stltoday.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  11. ^ "Evan Kruczynski finding his form in pro ball". 247sports.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  12. ^ "A look at Wisconsin products playing minor league baseball". Jsonline.com. May 30, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  13. ^ Miller, Andrew (June 1, 2018). "Six Cardinals named to Florida State League All-Star Game | Cardinals". Milb.com. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Walker, Alex. "Cardinals promote Evan Kruczynski to Double-A Springfield". www.witn.com.
  15. ^ "Evan Kruczynski Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  16. ^ Post-Dispatch store (August 31, 2018). "OF Lane Thomas, 7 other players and Stubby Clapp chosen for Arizona Fall League | St. Louis Cardinals". stltoday.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  17. ^ "Where will Nolan Gorman and other Cardinals top prospects be as the minor-league season begins?". ksdk.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  18. ^ "Grading the Cardinals' 2017 draft: Not a whole lot to see here, frankly – The Athletic". Theathletic.com. May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  19. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  20. ^ "Evan Kruczynski Stats, Fantasy & News".
  21. ^ "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2022 Transactions".
  22. ^ https://aabaseball.com/transactions/