JACK O'LOUGHLIN BECOMES 38TH AUSTRALIAN TO PLAY MLB
Adelaide’s Jack O’Loughlin became Australia’s 38th Major Leaguer today when he entered the game for the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning vs the Houston Astros. He pitched three scoreless innings.
On his very first pitch, O’Loughlin induced a ground ball to record an out. He recorded his first Big League strikeout just two batters later.
After loading the bases, O’Loughlin forced Astros hitter Yanier Diaz into a shallow fly ball popout to end his MLB debut unscathed.
He settled down in his second and third innings of MLB work, retiring the next six batters in order. Big names Jack O’Loughlin retired includes future hall-of-famer Jose Altuve.
His final stat line on his MLB debut: 3.0 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 0 earned runs.
“There were so many emotions flooding through. It was a surreal moment for me,” he said after the game. “I like to say it went really well. It was an incredible moment to be out there, to do what I was asked to do, it was an incredible feeling. I would rate this better than you could ever expect for the first time for me to touch the mound out there.”
O’Loughlin becomes the 70th player to advance to the Major Leagues after playing in the ABL since 2010. He is the fifth South Australian to reach the top competition in the world.
The 24-year-old just added to an already impressive Australian baseball legacy. The lefthander was Team Australia’s go-to starting during his country’s historic run to the quarterfinals at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, opening games in an upset win over powerhouse Korea and the knock-out round clincher vs Czechia.
O’Loughlin has been a key part of the Adelaide Giants last two ABL Championships. He was the starting pitcher for the Giants’ 2023 ABL Championship Series win, a victory which ended a 43-year title drought.
He grew up playing baseball in South Australia. O’Loughlin got his start at a tiny club – Playford City Baseball Club – before moving to Port Adelaide Magpies.
“It’s incredible. The atmosphere. Everything about it has just been a wild ride,” says Jack before the game. “It feels good to be in green & gold [with Oakland] – it’s the Australian colours so it’s awesome. Seeing the clubhouse this time knowing I was going to be on the roster was a completely different feeling. I just tried to take it all in.”
O’Loughlin says he feels gratitude towards his baseball community in Adelaide.
“I need to thank everyone who has helped me out on the way. I’ve had lots of coaches, lots of pitching coaches and been part of different teams. Really need to thank mum and dad for helping me get here and be part of this journey.”
By Eric Balnar - Baseball Australia