In a bid to strengthen their bullpen for the 2025 season, the Oakland Athletics have signed left-handed pitcher Matt Krook to a minor league contract. The 30-year-old southpaw, who became a free agent earlier this month, is hoping to bounce back from a challenging few years and make an impact at the big league level.
Krook’s career path has been anything but straightforward. Selected by the Miami Marlins in the 2013 MLB Draft, Krook was expected to join the professional ranks but failed his physical due to a shoulder injury, derailing the deal before it even began. He then endured a difficult start to his collegiate career at the University of Oregon, where an elbow injury forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery during his freshman season.
Despite these early setbacks, Krook’s fortunes started to change in 2016 when the San Francisco Giants selected him in the fourth round of the draft. After a few years in the Giants’ system, Krook was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the deal that brought veteran Evan Longoria to San Francisco. But it wasn’t until 2021, when the New York Yankees selected Krook in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, that his journey to the majors began to take shape.
The Yankees converted Krook to a full-time reliever in 2023, and the move paid off with solid minor league numbers. In 34 innings at Triple-A, he posted a stellar 1.32 ERA and 2.81 FIP, but his major league debut was far less successful. Despite his excellent minor league performance, Krook struggled with control in his brief MLB stint. Over four appearances with New York, he gave up 11 earned runs in just four innings, walking six batters and striking out only three. His 14.3% walk rate in the minors followed him to the bigs, and it became clear that his lack of command was his biggest hurdle.
After being designated for assignment by the Yankees, Krook was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. He spent the 2024 season in Triple-A Norfolk, where he posted a respectable 3.92 ERA over 43 2/3 innings. However, his brief appearance in the majors with the Orioles didn’t go as planned. Krook allowed three runs (two earned) in one inning of work, capped by a three-run home run from Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford. The Orioles subsequently DFA’d Krook at the trade deadline and outrighted him to Triple-A, leaving his future in question.
Now, Krook gets another opportunity to earn a spot on a major league roster with the Athletics. While Oakland’s bullpen is far from stacked with top-tier talent outside of closer Mason Miller, this could be Krook’s chance to earn meaningful playing time. The A’s, who are in rebuilding mode, are looking for potential breakout candidates, and Krook will likely have a path to an extended role if he can prove he’s overcome his control issues. His minor league deal includes an invitation to spring training, where he’ll have a chance to make a strong impression and earn a spot in the bullpen.
At this stage in his career, Krook has everything to prove, but his experience as a former top prospect and his solid minor league numbers in 2023 show that he still has potential. If he can improve his command and remain healthy, the Athletics could find themselves with a valuable left-handed option in their bullpen. Time will tell if Krook can finally fulfill the promise that once made him one of the more intriguing pitchers in the minors.
