Puk, the sixth overall pick in the 2016 first-year player draft and non-roster invitee, made a strong impression on manager Bob Melvin in his first bullpen session of spring training, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports. "Early in spring you're looking for fastball command, and he had command of that," Melvin said. "He showed a good changeup. I know his breaking ball came a long way last year. He's one of those guys that's free and easy. He's closer to you once he releases the ball (because of his height) and he's got good life on him. It's a good start for him to have a good showing in his first bullpen."
The towering lefty, who checks in at 6-foot-7, will get a valuable opportunity against a higher level of competition this spring and got matters off on the right foot Thursday by all accounts. Puk made a good first impression in live game action last season as well, posting a 3.03 ERA over 10 starts in short-season Low-A Vermont, along with a 1.07 WHIP and 40 whiffs in 32.2 innings. Following spring training, Puk wil begin the 2017 campaign toiling away at either the Low-A or High-A level.