Matthew Edward Krook Bio
Matthew Edward Krook is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Oakland Athletics organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. Krook played college baseball for the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the Miami Marlins in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft and the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB draft.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Edward Krook was born on October 21, 1994, in Hillsborough, California. He attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, California, where he was a member of the baseball team. In his senior year, Krook achieved a 2–1 win–loss record with a 1.65 earned run average (ERA). His performance earned him accolades as a First Team All-American and All-Region by Perfect Game, and he was also named to the All-State team by MaxPreps. Krook was recognized as one of the top prep pitchers eligible for the 2013 MLB draft. The Miami Marlins selected Krook in the competitive balance round, with the 35th overall pick, of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. Although he initially intended to sign with the team and both sides had agreed upon a contract, Krook failed a physical examination due to an unspecified issue with his left shoulder. Consequently, the Marlins withdrew their offer, and Krook declined to accept a reduced signing bonus.
Path to Baseball
Following his draft experience, Krook enrolled at the University of Oregon to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks. He was named a Louisville Slugger First-Team Freshman All-American, pitching to a 2–1 record and a 1.79 ERA, with 60 strikeouts. Among his highlights that year were an 11-strikeout performance against Loyola Marymount and a quality start where he allowed only five hits in seven innings against Hawaii. Unfortunately, Krook’s season ended prematurely due to arm stiffness, leading him to undergo Tommy John surgery on April 22, performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Krook did not pitch during his sophomore season, although he expressed interest in participating in the 2015 NCAA tournament. In 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League, where he recorded an 0–1 record with a 6.35 ERA and 15 strikeouts in six starts.
Matthew Edward Krook Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
The San Francisco Giants selected Krook in the fourth round, with the 125th overall selection, of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. Krook signed with the Giants and was assigned to the rookie-level Arizona League Giants, later being promoted to the Low-A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. In his debut season, he posted a combined 1–4 record with a 5.53 ERA in 13 games (11 starts). He spent the 2017 season with the High-A San Jose Giants, where he recorded a 4–9 record with a 5.12 ERA in 25 games (17 starts). On December 20, 2017, the Giants traded Krook, along with other players, to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Evan Longoria and cash considerations. He spent the 2018 season with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, achieving a 4–2 record with a 4.26 ERA in 37 games (six starts). Krook returned to Montgomery to start the 2019 season, where he registered a 2–3 record and a 4.50 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from playing any games that year.
Breakthrough (2021–2023)
On December 10, 2020, the New York Yankees selected Krook from the Rays in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He began the 2021 season with the Double-A Somerset Patriots and was promoted to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders during the season. Krook started for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Opening Day of the 2022 season. He finished the 2022 season with a 10–7 record and a 4.09 ERA for the RailRiders, setting a new franchise record for strikeouts in a season with 155, previously held by Carlton Loewer since 1997. On November 10, 2022, the Yankees added Krook to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2023 season and transitioned into a relief pitcher. In 12 games, Krook registered a 1.04 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 17+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 27, 2023, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time but was optioned back to Triple-A shortly thereafter. He made his major league debut on June 16, 2023, at Fenway Park, where he pitched in four games for the Yankees, recording a 24.75 ERA with three strikeouts across four innings pitched.
Notable Works and Milestones
Krook’s career has seen him transition through various teams and leagues, showcasing his resilience and adaptability as a pitcher. His notable achievements include setting a franchise record for strikeouts while with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and making his major league debut with the New York Yankees.
Matthew Edward Krook Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Matthew Edward Krook has not received any notable award nominations.
Matthew Edward Krook Awards Won
Matthew Edward Krook has not won any awards during his professional baseball career.
Matthew Edward Krook Family
There is currently no verifiable information available regarding Matthew Edward Krook’s family background or personal relationships.
Personal Life
No public personal life details are available for Matthew Edward Krook, including information about partners or children.