Ben Jukich

Benjamin Daniel Jukich

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 5", Weight 205 lb.
• School Dakota Wesleyan University, McCook Community College
• High School Denfeld High School

• Born October 17, 1982 in Duluth, MN USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Ben Jukich pitched in AAA from 2008-2010.

Jukich led the NAIA with 144 strikeouts in 2006, winning All-American honors. The Oakland Athletics took him in the 13th round of the 2006 amateur draft - he was the first player ever drafted from the Great Plains Athletic Conference. He was signed by scout Kevin Mello spent the rest of the summer with the Vancouver Canadians (3.24 in 3 G) and Kane County Cougars 93-2, 2.38 in 13 G). The big left-hander opened 2007 with the Stockton Ports and was 3-4 with a 5.40 ERA after 12 starts.

Jukich was then shipped, with Marcus McBeth, to the Cincinnati Reds as the two players to be named later in a deal for Chris Denorfia. Following the trade, he posted a 8-2, 3.55 record for the Sarasota Reds, allowing only a .215 average. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League. Jukich split 2008 between the Chattanooga Lookouts (10-4, 3.82) and Louisville Bats (1-1, 4.37). He tied Justin Cassel for 4th in the Southern League in wins and ranked 8th in the SL in ERA.

In 2009, the Minnesota native was 9-6 with a 4.10 ERA for Louisville; on July 18, he threw a no-hitter for six innings before it was broken up by Matt Joyce. The St. Louis Cardinals picked Jukich in the first round of the 2009 Rule 5 Draft but did not keep him, returning him to Cincinnati. Back with Louisville for another go-around, he posted a 7-4, 3.90 record.

Jukich signed with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization for 2011. He made his KBO debut on April 5, allowing three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 IP in a no-decision against the SK Wyverns; LG lost, 6-5.

Sources

• 2007-2010 Baseball Almanacs
• 2010 Cardinals Media Guide