Janson Junk

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #18 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Junk was a largely anonymous 22nd-round pick in the Yankees system his first three pro seasons, but he broke out in 2021 at Double-A Somerset and was acquired by the Angels for Andrew Heaney at the trade deadline. He continued his ascent in his new organization and received his first MLB callup in September, posting a 3.86 ERA in four abbreviated starts.
  
  Scouting Report: Junk used the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 to adjust his attitude and take a more aggressive, attacking mindset to the mound. With that new mindset, his fastball has become his best pitch at 93-97 mph with a high spin rate and good carry at the top of the strike zone. He also used the shutdown to alter the shape of his slider, which was too slurvy and similar to his curveball. His low-80s slider is now a sweepier pitch with late horizontal break and drop that gets plenty of swings and misses. Junk rounds out his arsenal with a fringy 79-80 mph curveball and a fringy changeup he mostly throws to lefthanded hitters. He throws plenty of strikes with average control but is on the small side for a starter, leading to some durability concerns.
  
  The Future: Junk’s size and fastball-slider combination might be better suited for a middle-relief role. He’ll look to break camp with the Angels in 2022.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #395 prospect in 2017 draft
  Junk is a power-armed righty who didn't have a great year statistically (6-7, 5.92), but there are teams who might be interested enough in the stuff to take a flyer on him. His fastball has sat 94-96 mph at its best in shorter stints, though it can be flat. His average changeup has some tumble, but his breaking ball remains below-average.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Junk was a largely anonymous 22nd-round pick in the Yankees system his first three pro seasons, but he broke out in 2021 at Double-A Somerset and was acquired by the Angels for Andrew Heaney at the trade deadline. He continued his ascent in his new organization and received his first MLB callup in September, posting a 3.86 ERA in four abbreviated starts.
  
  Scouting Report: Junk used the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 to adjust his attitude and take a more aggressive, attacking mindset to the mound. With that new mindset, his fastball has become his best pitch at 93-97 mph with a high spin rate and good carry at the top of the strike zone. He also used the shutdown to alter the shape of his slider, which was too slurvy and similar to his curveball. His low-80s slider is now a sweepier pitch with late horizontal break and drop that gets plenty of swings and misses. Junk rounds out his arsenal with a fringy 79-80 mph curveball and a fringy changeup he mostly throws to lefthanded hitters. He throws plenty of strikes with average control but is on the small side for a starter, leading to some durability concerns.
  
  The Future: Junk&#39s size and fastball-slider combination might be better suited for a middle-relief role. He&#39ll look to break camp with the Angels in 2022.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Junk was a largely anonymous 22nd-round pick in the Yankees system his first three pro seasons, but he broke out in 2021 at Double-A Somerset and was acquired by the Angels for Andrew Heaney at the trade deadline. He continued his ascent in his new organization and received his first MLB callup in September, posting a 3.86 ERA in four abbreviated starts.
  
  Scouting Report: Junk used the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 to adjust his attitude and take a more aggressive, attacking mindset to the mound. With that new mindset, his fastball has become his best pitch at 93-97 mph with a high spin rate and good carry at the top of the strike zone. He also used the shutdown to alter the shape of his slider, which was too slurvy and similar to his curveball. His low-80s slider is now a sweepier pitch with late horizontal break and drop that gets plenty of swings and misses. Junk rounds out his arsenal with a fringy 79-80 mph curveball and a fringy changeup he mostly throws to lefthanded hitters. He throws plenty of strikes with average control but is on the small side for a starter, leading to some durability concerns.
  
  The Future: Junk’s size and fastball-slider combination might be better suited for a middle-relief role. He’ll look to break camp with the Angels in 2022.