Blake Treinen

Blake M. Treinen (/ˈtraɪnɛn/, born June 30, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB from 2014 through 2017, when he was traded to Oakland. Treinen was an All-Star in 2018.\n', ' Treinen attended Osage City High School in Osage City, Kansas. He played for the school\'s baseball team as a freshman, but quit during his sophomore year as he developed prediabetes. He returned to the team in his junior year, with his fastball reaching 79 miles per hour (127 km/h). He enrolled at Baker University, where he played college baseball for the Baker Wildcats in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2007. He transferred to the University of Arkansas in 2008, but did not play for their baseball team. He attempted to walk on to the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but was denied the opportunity to try out. He began weight training.\n', ' During Christmas break, Treinen participated in a baseball training camp led by Don Czyz, a retired Minor League Baseball pitcher. Czyz recommended Treinen to Ritchie Price, the head coach of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits baseball team. Treinen transferred to South Dakota State University to continue his college baseball career with the Jackrabbits. He had to sit out in 2009 due to the NCAA\'s rules on transfers. By the time he was able to pitch for the Jackrabbits, his fastball averaged 87 to 88 miles per hour (140–142 km/h). The Miami Marlins selected Treinen in the 23rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Though Treinen was willing to sign, an MRI revealed shoulder inflammation, and the Marlins withdrew their offer.\n', '