The Oakland Starting Rotation Still a Mystery

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