Jarek Cunningham

From BR Bullpen

Jarek Michael Cunningham

BR Minors page

Biographical Information[edit]

Infielder Jarek Cunningham played in the minor leagues in 2008 and from 2010 to 2016. He peaked at Double-A.

He was originally taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 18th round of the 2008 amateur draft, a few picks ahead of pitcher Tom Koehler, and signed by scout Greg Hopkins. He slashed .318/.385/.507 with 5 home runs and 22 RBI in 43 games for the GCL Pirates in 2008, then missed 2009. Upon returning, he never saw his average reach above .260 again. In 2010, he had 12 home runs, 37 doubles and 11 stolen bases in 121 games for the West Virginia Power, then in 2011, he slugged 15 home runs in a season spent mostly with the Bradenton Marauders. That earned him a spot in the somewhat exclusive Arizona Fall League. He played for the Altoona Curve in 2012. In 2013, back with Altoona, he hit just .216/.275/.393, but managed 19 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 131 games. After another down year in 2014, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers system for 2015, then independent ball in 2016 to finish his career.

All told, Cunningham hit .244/.313/.417 with 80 home runs, 337 RBI and 44 stolen bases in 756 games over 8 seasons. He was a Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star and a MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2011 and an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star in 2013.

He was the AZL Dodgers hitting coach in 2018.