The Oakland Starting Rotation Still a Mystery

Apr 30, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jesse Chavez (60) throws a pitch in the third inning of the game Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The case for Jesse Chavez:

He is an obvious candidate, and someone who will likely open as our third or fourth starter. A career journeyman who found a home as Oakland’s long-relief man in 2013, Chavez is 31-years old and has just 23 starts to his name. But 21 of those starts came last season and were quite good. In the first half Chavez tossed 114 quality innings, with an ERA of 3.14 and almost a strikeout per inning.

His poor second half is what prompted Beane to swing deals for Samardzija, Hammel, and Lester.

Chavez predictably tired after greatly exceeding his career high in innings pitched. By season’s end he had nearly doubled his entire career’s innings total.

He has limited upside, but is a solid option to have begin the season in the rotation. Could a trade be in his future?

Career highlight: Tossing 5 2/3 one-hit innings in extra-inning relief against the New York Yankees.

Next: Drew Pomeranz

Jun 5, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz (13) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The case for Drew Pomeranz:

Another likely candidate for the third or fourth spot to open the season, Pomeranz was once a top-50 prospect in all of baseball. But above-average totals in home run and walk percentage, and a below average strikeout percentage doomed him in Colorado. In Oakland those numbers corrected to closer to league-average. His FIP, which measures a pitcher’s overall effectiveness at limiting home runs and walks while earning strikeouts, was better than average at 3.77.

His ERA and WHIP were 2.35 and 1.116, respectively and he struck out nearly a batter per inning.

Pomeranz just turned 26-years old, and is under team control until 2019, which makes him a valuable asset.

Career highlight: His first three starts for Oakland were each five-inning scoreless outings. He compiled 16 strikeouts to 4 walks in wins against the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays.

Next: Sean Nolin

Feb 20, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Sean Nolin (35) throws as the Blue Jays work out at the Bobby Mattick Training Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The case for Sean Nolin:

He is a classic Billy Beane guy. He is a left handed pitcher who doesn’t give up many home runs. As a prospect he has never been regarded too highly. He cracked Baseball Prospectus’ top-100 prospects list once, in 2013, at 97.

His strikeout rates started out strong in the early minors, but decreased as he advanced through the Toronto Blue Jays system. He has shown some trouble with control, but not enough to cause much concern as he does not allow many home runs. His FIP was steady throughout his minor league career, staying between 2 and 4. That is a good indicator he would fare well in Oakland.

Career highlight: Compiled a 3.17 ERA in 105 innings in Triple-A.

Next: Kendall Graveman

Sep 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kendall Graveman (31) delivers a pitch during the Jays 7-5 loss to Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The case for Kendall Graveman:

Another non-prospect with great potential that Beane plucked from the hands of another. He was never recognized as a top prospect likely due to his quick rise through the ranks. Drafted in the eighth round 2013, he began his career in single-A but rose through every level of the Jays’ system in 2014 to reach the majors and throw 4.2 quality innings. He offers up even less home runs than Nolin, issues less walks, but strikes out less hitters.

Career highlight: Reaching the majors in his first full professional season and throwing 4.2 innings, allowing just two runs.

Next: Chris Bassitt

Sep 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (61) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The case for Chris Bassitt:

He could be viewed as either a throw-in or the undervalued prize in the trade that sent Samardzija to the Chicago White Sox. Bassit, a 2011 16th-round draft pick, ascended slowly through the Sox’s system. He started 2014 on the disabled list due to a broken hand, but rose from rookie ball all the way to the majors where he compiled a 3.94 ERA across 29.2 innings and five starts. Bassit has shown good strikeout rates in the minors, but walked nearly four per inning through his career.

He throws hard, in the mid-90’s as a starter and upper 90’s as a reliever, and has showed favoritism toward relieving.

Career highlight: Defeating the Detroit Tigers on September 22, 2014 by throwing 7.2 scoreless innings.

Next: Jarrod Parker

Sep 10, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Jarrod Parker (11) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The case for Jarrod Parker:

We all know what Parker brings to the table when healthy. A good changeup, not a lot of strikeouts, but also not a lot of walks or home runs. A terrible first half plagued him in 2013, but once he settled down he was a more than capable second or third starter. His ERA with Oakland is well below 4 across 61 starts in two seasons.

 Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2014 and will sideline him into 2015 as well. At this moment it is unknown when he will return, or to what role he will play as it was his second surgery of this kind. A common side effect to this surgery once returning is loss of command of one’s pitches.

It may be in the team’s best interest to hold him out even until the all-star break.

Career highlight: Through his first 8 starts as an Athletic, Parker struck out 35 batters in 48.2 innings and compiled a 2.40 ERA.

Next: A.J. Griffin

Apr 27, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher A.J. Griffin (64) prepares to deliver a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning at O.Co Coliseum. The Orioles defeated the Athletics 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The case for A.J. Griffin:

In his only full season in Oakland, in 2013 Griffin was likable, fun to watch, and performed well for never being a top-prospect. The 2010 13th round pick threw more than 200 innings, struck out 171 batters, and won 14 games while posting a respectable 3.83 ERA. He is someone who has always outperformed his FIP because his fly ball tendencies are down-played in the spacious O.Co Coliseum.  His curveball is reminiscent of Barry Zito and his hair reminds one of a Beach Boy.

Griffin, like Parker, fell victim to the dreaded Tommy John surgery prior to the 2014 season and will be held out until early 2015. It is unknown just how long it will be before he will return to the mound, but seeing as how this is only his first time under TJ’s knife it may require less time than Parker.

Career highlight: In 15 career starts against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers, Griffin’s ERA is 2.81.

Next: Jess Hahn

Jun 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jesse Hahn (45) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY SportsSan Diego Padre

The case for Jesse Hahn:

The recently acquired Hahn should step right into the rotation as the fourth or fifth starter.

His numbers across double-A and the majors last season are quite good. Read more about my analysis of him here.

Next: Projected rotation

Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics pitchers stretch during a workout at Papago Park. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland’s pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 19, 2015

Considering there are still two months until pitchers and catchers report, Beane and company are likely not done adding to the team. There may be less options than I described, there may be  more.

If the season Began today the rotation would likely include Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez, Drew Pomeranz, and Jesse Hahn.

But one thing is for sure, no matter who fills out the five-man starting rotation on Opening Day, pitching will be one of Oakland’s strengths given its depth and talent.

What are your thoughts? Am I missing anyone? Who would you put in the starting rotation?

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(Updated 12/19/2014)