John Nogowski

John Francis Nogowski (born January 5, 1993) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 34th round of the 2014 MLB draft. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Oakland Athletics
Nogowski attended North Florida Christian School and played college baseball at Florida State University, batting .307/.431/.443 in 2014. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 34th round of the 2014 MLB draft. He spent the 2014 season with the AZL Athletics and the Vermont Lake Monsters, batting a combined .264/.351/.347. In 2015, he was assigned to the Stockton Ports, and batted .274/.352/.364. He would spend the entire 2015 season with Stockton. He played in Stockton and for the Midland RockHounds in 2016. Nogowski was released before the season started on March 27, 2017.

Sioux City Explorers
On May 18, 2017, Nogowski signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Nogowski played in 32 games for Sioux City, slashing .402/.482/.607.

St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Nogowski’s contract on June 27, 2017. He would finish the 2017 season with the Double-A Springfield Cardinals. He would also spend most of the 2018 season with them, batting .309/.392/.463. He spent 2019 with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, batting .295/.413/.476 in 380 at bats while coming in third in the PCL with 69 walks and 10 hit-by-pitch, and tying for fourth by grounding into 15 double plays.

Nogowski was called up to the majors for the first time on August 15, 2020. He made his major league debut the next day against the Chicago White Sox and got his first major league hit off of Dallas Keuchel. In 2021, Nogowski made the Opening Day roster after batting .333 with two home runs over 33 spring training at-bats. Nogowski limped to a .056/.150/.056 slash line in 19 games with St. Louis before being designated for assignment on June 28, 2021.

Pittsburgh Pirates
On July 3, 2021, Nogowski was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations. He hit .261 with 1 home run and 14 RBIs in 33 games with the Pirates. On July 7, in just his third game with the Pirates, Nogowski was used as a pitcher in a relief role. Facing a strong Atlanta lineup, Nogowski allowed a single, but retired the other three batters he faced. He was designated for assignment on August 16, 2021. On August 20, Nogowski cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. On September 20, the Pirates released Nogowski.

San Francisco Giants
On September 22, 2021, Nogowski signed a two-year minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization. Nogowski appeared in 8 games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, hitting just .185/.290/.444 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI.

Atlanta Braves
On December 8, 2021, the Atlanta Braves selected Nogowski from the Giants in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. In 40 games for the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers, he batted .234/.338/.323 with 2 home runs, 14 RBI, and 6 stolen bases. Nogowski was released by the Braves organization on June 16, 2022.

Washington Nationals
On June 22, 2022, Nogowski signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. He was assigned to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, hitting .202 in 30 games before being promoted to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings later in the season. In 47 games for Rochester, he batted .290/.409/.401 with 2 home runs, 24 RBI, and 6 stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.

High Point Rockers
On April 28, 2023, Nogowski signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 37 games for the Rockers, Nogowski batted .297/.419/.625 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, and 5 stolen bases. He was released by the team on June 9.

Sioux City Explorers (second stint)
On June 16, 2023, Nogowski signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 17 games with Sioux City, Nogowski hit .313/.397/.484 with 2 home runs, 9 RBI, and 3 stolen bases.

Acereros de Monclova
On July 5, 2023, Nogowski's contract was purchased by the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. In 24 games for Monclova, he batted .277/.340/.319 with no home runs and 14 RBI.

Sioux City Explorers (third stint)
On August 19, 2023, Nogowski was acquired on loan by the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 34 games for the Explorers, he batted .317/.419/.480 with 4 home runs and 16 RBI.

On May 2, 2024, Nogowski re-signed with the Explorers.