Completed Event: Baseball at Washington State on March 22, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 6
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L 2-6
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Wong lands MLB call-up with Reds
6/26/2023 11:00:00 AM | Baseball, Paul Coro
Former GCU ace overcame 2 lost minor-league seasons to reach big leagues
Former Grand Canyon ace Jake Wong did not pitch in a baseball game from August 2019 to April 2022, but his wherewithal through that time is lining him up to make his next appearance in the major leagues.
The National League Central Division-leading Cincinnati Reds called up Wong, a third-round MLB Draft pick in 2018, to The Show on Monday just 14 months after the right-hander returned from Tommy John surgery and rehabilitation. The Reds start a three-game series at Baltimore on Monday at 4 p.m. (Phoenix time).
"It's a really exciting day because that's the goal to move guys on to professional baseball and for them to live the dream of playing in the big leagues," GCU head coach Gregg Wallis said. "With Jake and how hard he's worked his whole career, he was never a bigtime name coming out of high school and he's worked his way to being a third-round draft pick and a big-leaguer. I'm just really proud of him."
Wong's MLB debut, as No. 85, would be the first by a Lopes player since Brian Broderick pitched for the Washington Nationals in 2011. The 6-foot-2, 218-pounder joins the Reds' bullpen after a weekend series in which their starters threw 10 1/3 innings cumulatively.
The 2016-18 Lopes standout endured losing a season to the COVID minor-league cancellation of 2020 and another season in 2021 following surgery on his pitching arm.
Prior to that, Wong was showing the promise that touted him as a hard-throwing prospect with an arsenal of pitches. After a 1.99 ERA in eight starts of Single-A ball for the Giants organization, he moved to a High-A stop with San Jose and posted a 4.98 ERA in 15 starts.
After a win for San Jose in Aug. 9, 2019, Wong did not take the mound for the Giants organization against until a High-A season with Eugene in 2022. He posted a 4.52 ERA, including
ng 108 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings and a finish with a 1.80 ERA over his final six starts.
In December, Wong was traded to the Reds for catcher Blake Sabol, who also reached the majors this season for the Giants.
"Jake's an extremely hard worker with a strong, positive mindset," Wallis said. "He recovered and, when he got a chance to change organizations, it was a new life for him and he's taken advantage of it. They've moved him quickly up to the big leagues. Jake is so strong-minded that it doesn't surprise me that he overcame those injuries."
The Chandler Hamilton High School graduate began the season in Double-A Chattanooga, posting a 4.60 ERA in six relief appearances with 23 strikeouts and only three walks in 15 2/3 innings. As he showed that he had restored his mid-90s fastball, Wong moved the 26-year-old to Triple-A Louisville on May 9.
For the Bats, Wong made 11 appearances that included one start. It has been an up-and-down experience for a 10.13 ERA, but had promising highlights with 3 1/3 no-hit innings on May 14 and allowing one earned run over three innings on June 8.
At GCU, Wong accumulated 35 starts as he grew from a spot starter as a freshman to two seasons as the Lopes' Friday night ace. His career 3.59 ERA ranks as the program's second best of its Division I era for pitchers with at least 170 innings pitched.
When Wong was drafted at No. 80 in 2018, he became the Lopes' highest draft choice in 29 years and the first Arizona college player taken in that draft. His call-up comes just before the Lopes could have two players taken in the top 100 of next month's draft – junior shortstop Jacob Wilson, a first-round prospect, and junior center fielder Homer Bush Jr.
For now, Wong is one of four players who were top-80 picks in 70 years of Lopes baseball. That was quite the rise after GCU was his only Division I offer coming out of high school.
"It means everything," Wong said when he was drafted. "This is a day that you work for your whole life. I know I wouldn't have got to this point without my opportunities at GCU. I couldn't be more appreciative of those."
The National League Central Division-leading Cincinnati Reds called up Wong, a third-round MLB Draft pick in 2018, to The Show on Monday just 14 months after the right-hander returned from Tommy John surgery and rehabilitation. The Reds start a three-game series at Baltimore on Monday at 4 p.m. (Phoenix time).
"It's a really exciting day because that's the goal to move guys on to professional baseball and for them to live the dream of playing in the big leagues," GCU head coach Gregg Wallis said. "With Jake and how hard he's worked his whole career, he was never a bigtime name coming out of high school and he's worked his way to being a third-round draft pick and a big-leaguer. I'm just really proud of him."Wong's MLB debut, as No. 85, would be the first by a Lopes player since Brian Broderick pitched for the Washington Nationals in 2011. The 6-foot-2, 218-pounder joins the Reds' bullpen after a weekend series in which their starters threw 10 1/3 innings cumulatively.
The 2016-18 Lopes standout endured losing a season to the COVID minor-league cancellation of 2020 and another season in 2021 following surgery on his pitching arm.
Prior to that, Wong was showing the promise that touted him as a hard-throwing prospect with an arsenal of pitches. After a 1.99 ERA in eight starts of Single-A ball for the Giants organization, he moved to a High-A stop with San Jose and posted a 4.98 ERA in 15 starts.
After a win for San Jose in Aug. 9, 2019, Wong did not take the mound for the Giants organization against until a High-A season with Eugene in 2022. He posted a 4.52 ERA, including
ng 108 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings and a finish with a 1.80 ERA over his final six starts.In December, Wong was traded to the Reds for catcher Blake Sabol, who also reached the majors this season for the Giants.
"Jake's an extremely hard worker with a strong, positive mindset," Wallis said. "He recovered and, when he got a chance to change organizations, it was a new life for him and he's taken advantage of it. They've moved him quickly up to the big leagues. Jake is so strong-minded that it doesn't surprise me that he overcame those injuries."
The Chandler Hamilton High School graduate began the season in Double-A Chattanooga, posting a 4.60 ERA in six relief appearances with 23 strikeouts and only three walks in 15 2/3 innings. As he showed that he had restored his mid-90s fastball, Wong moved the 26-year-old to Triple-A Louisville on May 9.
For the Bats, Wong made 11 appearances that included one start. It has been an up-and-down experience for a 10.13 ERA, but had promising highlights with 3 1/3 no-hit innings on May 14 and allowing one earned run over three innings on June 8.At GCU, Wong accumulated 35 starts as he grew from a spot starter as a freshman to two seasons as the Lopes' Friday night ace. His career 3.59 ERA ranks as the program's second best of its Division I era for pitchers with at least 170 innings pitched.
When Wong was drafted at No. 80 in 2018, he became the Lopes' highest draft choice in 29 years and the first Arizona college player taken in that draft. His call-up comes just before the Lopes could have two players taken in the top 100 of next month's draft – junior shortstop Jacob Wilson, a first-round prospect, and junior center fielder Homer Bush Jr.
For now, Wong is one of four players who were top-80 picks in 70 years of Lopes baseball. That was quite the rise after GCU was his only Division I offer coming out of high school.
"It means everything," Wong said when he was drafted. "This is a day that you work for your whole life. I know I wouldn't have got to this point without my opportunities at GCU. I couldn't be more appreciative of those."
Players Mentioned
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/ BaseballTWO grand slams. ONE game. #collegebaseball
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