John Koronka
Encyclopedia
John Vincent Koronka is a left-handed
baseball
pitcher
who currently is a free agent.
in the 12th round of the 1998 MLB Draft. While playing in the Reds farm system with the Stockton Ports
in 2002, he was named to the California League
All-Star team. On December 16, 2002 he was selected by the Texas Rangers
in the Rule 5 Draft
but did not make the Rangers opening day roster and was returned to the Reds on March 21, 2003.
on August 26, 2003 for Phil Norton
. He made his major league debut for the Cubs on July 1, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
and gave up 3 runs
over 5 innings, walked
3, and struck out
5 for the win
.
for Freddie Bynum
, whom the Rangers had just acquired from the Oakland Athletics
. Koronka started 23 games for the Rangers in 2006, going 7-7 with a 5.69 ERA. He was expected to compete for a spot on the rotation in , but failed to make the Rangers' big league roster. He was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
prior to the start of the 2007 season.
Koronka made two starts in 2007 for the Rangers going 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA.
. He was assigned to their Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons
. With the Bisons, he made 9 starts and went 3-3 with a 3.54 ERA.
On September 1, 2007, he was designated for assignment
and outrighted to the minor leagues on September 12. Koronka opted for minor league free agency
on November 3, 2007.
signed Koronka to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
. He was 5-3 in 13 appearances (12 starts) for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
. On June 23, , the Rockies released Koronka so he could sign with a Japanese team, the Orix Buffaloes
. He started 3 games for the Buffaloes, finishing 0-1 with a 6.75 E.R.A..
. He started two games for the Marlins (0-2, 11.75 E.R.A.) and spent most of the season with the New Orleans Zephyrs
. He was granted free agency on October 8, .
with an invite to spring training. He began 2010 with the Chattanooga Lookouts
in the Double-A Southern League
. After seven starts with the Lookouts he was promoted to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
. He made one start with the Isotopes, allowing eight runs in 1 1/3 innings. He was released on June 2.
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who currently is a free agent.
Cincinnati Reds
Koronka was selected by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the 12th round of the 1998 MLB Draft. While playing in the Reds farm system with the Stockton Ports
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
in 2002, he was named to the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
All-Star team. On December 16, 2002 he was selected by the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
but did not make the Rangers opening day roster and was returned to the Reds on March 21, 2003.
Chicago Cubs
Koronka was traded by the Reds to the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
on August 26, 2003 for Phil Norton
Phil Norton
Phillip Douglas Norton is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played in the major leagues from - for the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds...
. He made his major league debut for the Cubs on July 1, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and gave up 3 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
over 5 innings, walked
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
3, and struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
5 for the win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
.
Texas Rangers
On March 31, 2006, Koronka was traded to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Freddie Bynum
Freddie Bynum
Freddie Lee Bynum Jr. is a shortstop playing in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He is known for his blazing speed and excellent defensive abilities which include the ability to field several different positions in the infield and outfield...
, whom the Rangers had just acquired from the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. Koronka started 23 games for the Rangers in 2006, going 7-7 with a 5.69 ERA. He was expected to compete for a spot on the rotation in , but failed to make the Rangers' big league roster. He was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
prior to the start of the 2007 season.
Koronka made two starts in 2007 for the Rangers going 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA.
Cleveland Indians
He was designated for assignment on July 1, 2007, and subsequently claimed off outright waivers on July 9, 2007, by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He was assigned to their Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
. With the Bisons, he made 9 starts and went 3-3 with a 3.54 ERA.
On September 1, 2007, he was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
and outrighted to the minor leagues on September 12. Koronka opted for minor league free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
on November 3, 2007.
Colorado Rockies/Orix Buffaloes
On December 21, 2007, the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
signed Koronka to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. He was 5-3 in 13 appearances (12 starts) for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
. On June 23, , the Rockies released Koronka so he could sign with a Japanese team, the Orix Buffaloes
Orix Buffaloes
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Osaka and Kobe, Japan. They play in the Pacific League. The team is owned by the Orix Group, a leading diversified financial services company based in Tokyo....
. He started 3 games for the Buffaloes, finishing 0-1 with a 6.75 E.R.A..
Florida Marlins
On January 13, , Koronka signed a minor league deal with the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. He started two games for the Marlins (0-2, 11.75 E.R.A.) and spent most of the season with the New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
. He was granted free agency on October 8, .
Los Angeles Dodgers
On January 28, 2010, Koronka signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
with an invite to spring training. He began 2010 with the Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
in the Double-A Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. After seven starts with the Lookouts he was promoted to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
. He made one start with the Isotopes, allowing eight runs in 1 1/3 innings. He was released on June 2.