Head coach Brian Kitamura announced the inclusion of volunteer assistant -- and MLB pitcher -- Blake Treinen to the staff of the Missionaries in the fall of 2015.
Treinen spent the majority of the 2015 MLB season in Washington, used specifically in relief appearances where he accumulated a 2-5 record with a 3.86 earned-run average while striking out 65 over 67 2/3 innings. His season totals came in 60 appearances for the Nationals.
A graduate of Osage City (Kan.) High School, Treinen’s road to the majors began at Baker (Kan.) University where he played for the J.V. baseball team in the 2007 season. Treinen left the NAIA school to try to walk on at the University of Arkansas but wasn’t immediately able to make the jump into the Razorback’s Division I program.
He was, however, able to latch on to the D-I program at South Dakota State University following a second transfer, and after redshirting the 2009 campaign became a starter for the Jackrabbits, compiling an unblemished 7-0 mark in the 2010 regular season and earning first-team All-Summit League honors for his accomplishments.
The Major League’s came calling in the 2010 draft when the Florida Marlins drafted him in the 23rd round. A surprising failed physical put a stop to that step, though, and Treinen returned to SDSU for a fifth year of eligibility where he once again earned first-team league honors after posting a 3.00 ERA and a 7-3 record. The Jacks earned a spot in the Summit postseason tournament and Treinen added to his awards haul with all-tournament honors.
The 2011 MLB draft found Treinen among those drafted early as the Oakland Athletics selected the right-hander in the seventh round. As he blossomed in the minor leagues the Athletics utilized his success to include Treinen in a 2013 three-team trade between Oakland, Seattle and Washington, his eventual destination.
Treinen made his major-league debut the next year, 2014, as a reliever in a game against the Atlanta Braves. Over the course of that summer he was used as both a starter and in relief roles.
Now calling Walla Walla home Treinen is joined by his wife Kati, the assistant coach of women’s basketball at Walla Walla Community College.
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