Q&A: Janson Junk joins the Trash Pandas

In an instant, Janson Junk’s life changed. The 25-year-old woke up on July 30 as a member of the Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, the team that drafted him in the 22nd round in 2018. He was in the midst of a career season as his 1.78 ERA led all of Double-A and ranked second in all of Minor League Baseball.

By the end of the day, Junk was part of the trade that sent veteran Major League pitcher Andrew Heaney to the Yankees. After a whirlwind of phone calls and goodbyes, Junk was on a plane to a state he’d never visited before, to join the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Before the Trash Pandas departed on their two-week road trip, Junk sat down to discuss the biggest move of his professional career, his journey to the Rocket City, and yes, the junk hitters will face when he takes the mound.

Q: How did you learn you were traded from the Yankees to the Angels?

A: The day of the deadline, we were on our way to the field on the road in Reading, Pennsylvania. I was on the bus with all of my teammates when I got a call from the farm director of the Yankees, Kevin Reese, and he told me I was traded. It was 10 minutes before the deadline. At that point, I wasn’t thinking I was going to be traded. My agent had told me it was a possibility in the coming weeks. But 10 minutes before the deadline, I got the call and it was a lot of emotions. When I got the call, the clock started ticking. It was a quick turnaround after that call to when I got here in Alabama But I’m excited to be here.

Q: What were your emotions around leaving the Yankees, the only organization you’d ever known?

A: I was talking to a lot of front office people from the Yankees and Angels. A lot of introductions, a lot of emotions going into saying goodbye to my teammates in Somerset. Most of them came through the system together, either drafted together or playing together for years. We had a really close knit bond. It was tough leaving, but looking at the opportunity this brings it will better my career in the future.

Q: You weren’t traded alone. Does having Elvis Peguero here with you make it easier?

A: It’s definitely makes it a little easier. He’s a good friend. We can joke around and share in this experience together. It’s a big transition period. It’s still setting in that I’m an Angel. Doing it with a fellow teammate makes it much easier.

Q: What was your first impression of the Trash Pandas?

A: I heard of the Trash Pandas, but I didn’t know they were an Angels affiliate. I instantly looked at all of the affiliates to remind myself where I could go. I saw the Trash Pandas were the Double-A team and I figured that is where I was going to start. It’s my first time in Alabama. It’s really hot. Being a northwest kid, it’s a big culture change. That’s what baseball brings. That’s the life of a baseball player. Going to different places, traveling the country. It’s cool to see different atmospheres and be around different people. The field is beautiful. The fans brought the energy, and I’m excited to get out in front of a packed house and show them what I can do.

Q: You previously played on a team managed by Jay Bell in 2019 when you started one game for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2019. What do you remember about that experience?

A: I didn’t know Jay too well. He was the Triple-A manager when I was in High-A. That year, I went up for a spot start, stayed there for a week. I made one start, and that ultimately got rained out in the third inning. I didn’t spend too much time on the field. But being around him and coming here is a familiar face. It’s a little bit easier to come here and have a familiar face in charge.

Q: What should fans expect when they hear Janson Junk is pitching for the Trash Pandas?

A: You’ll see some junk, that’s for sure. I bring the energy. When I go out there, I want to have an impact. I want to be the one dictating the pace on the field. I don’t want to be passive. I want to attack hitters. At the end of the day, it’s me against the hitter. I’m going to be competitive in any environment. I’m excited to get out here and perform in front of the fans.

Q: What’s the repertoire of pitches that you throw?

A: Fastball, slider, curveball, changeup. It’s pretty traditional. My last name is Junk, I don’t have any funky pitches. But I’ll have batters out of their shoes the way I throw.