Former BYU walk-on rises to MLB bullpen star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 9, 2025 8:02 PM ET

If you’re a BYU fan who hasn’t been watching Justin Sterner’s journey, now’s the time to start. The former Cougar walk-on has become one of the most reliable relievers in Major League Baseball, kicking off the 2025 season with a jaw-dropping 0.00 ERA over 18.2 innings for the Oakland Athletics.

That’s right—zero earned runs. Through 15 appearances, the 28-year-old has racked up 24 strikeouts, six holds, and just six walks. Last night, in a tight loss to the Mariners, he added .1 more scoreless innings to the streak, with another strikeout.

“Everyone says it’s really hard to get here but it’s even harder to stay,” Sterner said. “That’s kind of the mentality I try to approach each day with.”

Sterner’s path is anything but typical. Before BYU, he spent two years on a mission in Samoa—a life-changing experience that taught him humility, grit, and perspective. After returning stateside, he walked on at BYU, earned a scholarship, and quickly became a cornerstone of the Cougars’ pitching staff.

Fast forward to 2025, and Sterner is more than just another arm in the bullpen. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay recently praised his poise in high-leverage moments, and veteran teammates say his journey is “inspiring.” Not bad for someone waived by the Rays just last fall.

For Sterner, it all comes back to Provo.

“BYU was the only school that offered me out of high school,” he said. “I still live 20 minutes from campus and spend time helping out the team in the offseason. That program means everything to me.”

BYU fans, this isn’t just a feel-good story. This is a guy making real noise in the majors—and he’s doing it with Cougar pride in his veins.

Keep an eye on Sterner. His jersey may already be up in the BYU tunnel, but his story’s just getting started.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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