A.J. Puk is the favorite to go first overall in tonight’s MLB Draft. (Instagram)
While there isn’t a certain No. 1 draft prospect, junior left-hander A.J. Puk has been as close as there has been to a consensus top player over the past year.
Puk has been slated by multiple scouting reports and mock drafts as the No. 1 pick in tonight’s MLB draft.
The hard-throwing pitcher could become the first Iowan taken with the top overall pick in the draft.
Here are five fast facts to know about Puk:
1. He Had a 3.21 ERA at Florida this Spring
Puk posted a 3.21 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 70 innings for the Gators this spring.
He started 14 games in 2015, posting a 3.81 ERA in 78 innings with a 2.9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
In 2014, Puk had a solid freshman spring. He was used as both a starter and reliever by the Gators, posting a 3.35 ERA in 40 innings with a 2.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He was also named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
2. He Comes Out of Florida’s Highly Touted Pitching Program
https://www.instagram.com/p/3HCv_zsZIC/?taken-by=aj_puk10&hl=en
Florida has gained a reputation under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan for producing high-caliber pitchers. Four of its top arms rated in D1 Baseball’s top 50 college prospects.
The Gators produced first-round starters in 2012 with Brian Johnson, and again in 2013 with Jonathon Crawford.
Also working in his favor, Puk carries less risk than a high school player. However, he will need to improve his command and change-up.
MLB Pipeline expects his skills to transfer well into Major League Baseball:
Big and strong, Puk arguably has the best raw stuff of any arm in the class, with the chance to have three plus pitches. He’s capable of touching 96-97 mph with his fastball regulary. Ironically, he might have been at his best in the one inning he threw before his back acted up, showing a 96-99 mph fastball and a plus slider at 88-90 mph. He can maintain his velocity deep into starts and while his changeup is his third pitch, it should be Major League average in the future.
3. He Has a Relatively Clean Injury History
#MLBTonight caught up w/ hard-throwing lefty & top prospect AJ Puk to talk #MLBDraft & his time w/the @FloridaGators t.co/PKs34NwErJ
The 21-year-old University of Florida player is listed at 6-foot-7, 230 pounds.
Puk comes with a fastball that gets up to 97 mph, and has avoided major injuries to his elbow and shoulder over the course of his career.
However, in 2015, Puk was suspended from playing for part of his sophomore season.
Puk and teammate, Kirby Snead were charged with a third-degree felony after University Police arrested them after climbing a crane inside a marked construction site on Florida’s campus.
Puk came back to help guide the Gators to the College World Series when the suspension was lifted.
4. He Was a Candidate for the Top Two Rounds out of High School
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Puk has an impressive high school career.
He ranked No. 23 nationally and was the No. 5 left-hander in the Class of 2013 Final Rankings from Perfect Game.
After an elite prep career at Washington High School, he was regarded as one of the nation’s top two-way prospects.
However, his strong commitment to the University of Florida was a concern for many teams. Puk fell to the 35th round, drafted by the Detroit Tigers. He didn’t sign and went on to play at Florida.
Puk was also his high school’s starting quarterback and led them to the state playoffs before committing to baseball full-time.
5. He Played for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team
Baseball America and Perfect Game ranked him the No. 1 prospect on the USA team.
Puk was part of a combined no-hitter against Cuba. He threw four hitless innings from the fifth to the eighth in relief of Missouri’s Tanner Houck to help his team pull of the historic win.
The 2-0 victory was the first no-hitter ever pitched against Cuba.
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AJ Puk, MLB Draft 2016: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know