Five breakout candidates for the 2015 Oakland Athletics
By Matt McHugh
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
Kendall Graveman
Graveman, picked up in the Josh Donaldson trade, has limited experience in the big leagues, but the 24-year-old’s potential is definitely noteworthy. He shot through the Blue Jays minor league system last year, starting the year in A ball and finishing in the big leagues. He was a starter in the minors and a reliever in the majors, and his role the A’s is not yet finalized. He could be a long reliever or maybe the fifth starter.
Regardless, his talent is truly remarkable. In 27 minor league starts, he had a 1.83 ERA and 3.71 K/BB ratio. While he’s not a big strikeout guy like Hahn, he has consistently kept the walks down, which is usually something that translates well from the minors to the big leagues.
My prediction for him is that he makes the team as a reliever, pitches well, and eventually moves into the back end of the rotation and thrives. By the end of the year, it’s reasonable to expect an ERA around 3.50 and a WHIP around 1.15.
Next: R.J. Alvarez