BIOGRAPHY
Jack Kruger was born October 26, 1994, in Los Angeles, California. He is a catcher in the MLB.
After Kruger's junior year, he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB draft. He signed for $395,000 and was assigned to the Arizona League Angels.
After playing three games for the AZL Angels, he was promoted to the Orem Owlz, where he finished the year. In thirty games between the two clubs, he hit .310/.354/.388 with 14 RBIs. In 2017, he began the season with the Burlington Bees before being promoted to the Inland Empire 66ers, batting a combined .240 with five home runs and 39 RBIs in 104 games.
Kruger returned to the 66ers to begin 2018, with whom he was named a California League All-Star. He was promoted to the Mobile BayBears in June and finished the year there. In 97 games between the two teams, he slashed .299/.357/.413 with seven home runs, forty RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. He returned to Mobile to begin 2019, hitting .240 with three home runs and 34 RBIs over 92 games. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To begin the 2021 season, Kruger was assigned to the Salt Lake Bees. On May 6, 2021, Kruger was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that day as a defensive replacement for Kurt Suzuki but did not register a plate appearance. On May 7, Kruger was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Drew Butera.
On May 9, 2021, Kruger was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.
