Jakob Junis Bio
Jakob Benjamin Lee Junis (born September 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Guardians. He made his MLB debut in 2017 and has established himself as a reliable pitcher over his career, showcasing his skills across multiple teams.
Early Life and Background
Jakob Junis was born in Rock Falls, Illinois, where he attended Rock Falls High School. Graduating in 2011, he earned all-state honors in both baseball and basketball. As a senior, he averaged 19 points per game in basketball while excelling in baseball with a fastball that reached speeds of 88–92 miles per hour. Junis achieved a remarkable 1.10 earned run average (ERA) and struck out 93 batters during his senior year, while also batting .485 with 54 runs batted in. His impressive high school performance led to his selection in the MLB draft.
Path to Baseball
In 2011, Jakob Junis was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 29th round of the Major League Baseball draft. Although he had committed to play college baseball at North Carolina State University, he opted to sign with the Royals for a $675,000 signing bonus instead of attending college. This decision marked the beginning of his professional baseball journey.
Jakob Junis Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Junis made his professional debut in 2012 with the Burlington Royals, where he recorded a 2–2 record with a 4.15 ERA in seven games. He continued to develop his skills in the minor leagues, pitching for teams such as the Idaho Falls Chukars and the Lexington Legends. By 2016, he had established himself as a strong pitcher in the Texas League, earning a spot on the Texas League Mid-Season All-Star and Post-Season All-Star teams. He was added to the Royals’ 40-man roster after the 2016 season, setting the stage for his MLB debut.
Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Jakob Junis made his MLB debut on April 12, 2017. After his debut, he was recalled and optioned several times before securing a permanent spot with the Kansas City Royals on August 14, 2017. In his first season, he achieved a 9–3 record with a 4.30 ERA. Junis continued to build on his success in the following years, becoming the first pitcher in the major leagues to win at least nine games in each of his first three seasons since Masahiro Tanaka. In 2019, he pitched 175 1/3 innings across 31 starts, solidifying his reputation as a reliable pitcher.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Jakob Junis has demonstrated his capabilities as a pitcher, earning a win-loss record of 46–46 and an earned run average of 4.36 with 768 strikeouts as of the end of the 2025 season.
Jakob Junis Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jakob Junis has not received any notable award nominations.
Jakob Junis Awards Won
Jakob Junis has not won any significant awards during his professional baseball career.
Jakob Junis Family
Jakob Junis is married to Brianne, and together they have three children. The family resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Personal Life
Jakob Junis maintains a private personal life, focusing primarily on his career and family. He has shown dedication to his craft and continues to work towards further achievements in Major League Baseball.
