Air Force’s Griffin Jax makes MLB history by joining the Minnesota Twins

After wading through the minor leagues, Griffin Jax will debut as the first Air Force Academy graduate to play at the MLB level with the Minnesota Twins.

Jax was officially called up by the Twins on Saturday.

The Twins drafted Jax in the third round of the MLB Amateur Draft in 2016 during his junior year. He later went on two complete his two-year active duty service requirement and joined then joined the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul.

While in the minors, he recorded 60 walks and 217 strikeouts in 52 games. During Jax’s five starts at St. Paul he had a 3.33 ERA.

Just last week, he was named the Triple-A East Pitcher of the Week.

He earned a number of honors during his time at Air Force, including Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year and All-MW first team, both in 2016, while posting a 9-2 record with a 2.05 ERA in his career with the Falcons.

The Air Force alum joined the Twins’ 40-man roster as a right-handed pitcher after Minnesota designated Juan Minaya for assignment.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins plan to use Jax out of the bullpen. Skipper Rocco Baldelli called Jax a “strike-thrower” who has “plenty of pitches to work with.”

The 23-35 Twins complete a series at Kansas City on Sunday.