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Aaron Schunk becomes third Georgia Bulldog to make MLB debut this season

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•07/01/24•

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Aaron Schunk
Jun 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jiménez (74) is forced out at second base as Colorado Rockies second baseman Aaron Schunk (30) throws to first base to complete a double play during the third inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Former Georgia Baseball All-American Aaron Schunk made his MLB debut over the weekend with the Colorado Rockies, becoming the 43rd Bulldog to reach the top level of professional baseball.

The 2019 second round pick received the call up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, entered the game on Saturday as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning. He flew out to the warning track in right in an 11-3 Rockies loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Schunk becomes the seventh former Georgia player to appear in an MLB game this season and the third to make his debut. Jonathan Cannon (Chicago White Sox) and Zac Kristofak (Los Angeles Angels) also added MLB experience to their resume, joining Kyle Farmer (Minnesota Twins), Emerson Hancock (Seattle Mariners), Jared Walsh (Texas Ranger) and Alex Wood (Oakland Athletics) who all made their respective team’s Opening Day rosters.

Schunk would go on to start Sunday’s game against the White Sox at second base. His versatility around the infield has been a bonus for him professionally, playing mostly third base but also some second base and shortstop. Schunk, prior to being called up, appeared in 442 minor league games over the course of his career with a .270 batting average, 104 doubles, 49 home runs, 265 RBI and 46 stolen bases. This season in Albuquerque, Schunk was batting .291 with 24 doubles, seven home runs, 43 RBI and 11 stolen bases after spending Spring Training with the Major League club.

At Georgia, Schunk was a two-way star for the Bulldogs. A three-year starter in Athens, the Atlanta, Ga. native earned All-American honors in each of his final two seasons, winning the 2019 John Olerud Award as the nation’s top two-way player.

As a junior, Schunk batted .339 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI plus tallied 12 saves with a 1-2 mark and 2.49 ERA in 17 appearances on the mound. In his Bulldog career, he started 153 games at third base and hit .312 with 19 home runs, 114 RBI, plus went 3-4 with a 2.79 ERA and 20 saves in 38 relief appearances.

Schunk, should he still be in the major leagues with the Rockies at the time, will have a couple of series against his hometown team later this season. Colorado is scheduled to host the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field August 9-11 before making the trip to Truist Park September 3-5.

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