Oakland Athletics’ 2016 Starting Rotation: Who Will Make It?

Oct 7, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker (11) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers in game three of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrod Parker

Parker has been injured since the spring of 2014. First, he underwent his second Tommy John surgery. Then, during his rehab assignment this year, he broke his elbow. Even though it has been a frustrating 2015 for Parker, he is determined to come back in 2016.

Parker definitely has the experience and skills to be in the A’s starting rotation. Parker was scheduled to be Oakland’s Opening Day starter in 2014 and was pitching extremely well during his rehab assignment this year. If Parker is able to successfully recover from this most recent injury, it is very likely he will get the chance to start in the rotation. It is just unclear as to if he will be ready for Opening Day in 2016 or sometime during the middle of the season.

Sean Manaea

Even though Manaea is currently with the Athletics’ Double-A affiliate the Midland RockHounds, it is expected that he will be MLB ready by 2016. Manaea is currently the Athletics’ No. 3 prospect and he was exceptional in his first start for the RockHounds on Friday. He struck out nine, allowed only 3 hits and faced the minimum over seven innings. Because of his performance last week, he was named the Texas League’s Pitcher of the Week on Monday.

For 2015, he has a 3.03 ERA and has allowed only two homers over 38.2 innings pitched. His fastball is his best pitch and he continues to work on his slider and changeup even though they are already pretty effective. If he can shine during spring training next season, there is a potential that he could earn a spot in the starting rotation sometime during 2016.

Aaron Brooks

Aaron Brooks came to the Athletics with Manaea in a trade that sent Ben Zobrist to the Kansas City Royals right before the July 31 trade deadline. Brooks was promptly placed in the starting rotation to fill the hole left behind by Scott Kazmir. Many scouting reports indicated that Brooks was a number four or five starter, perhaps even a reliever, who was not terribly exciting but consistent. However, when he made his Athletics debut on Saturday, he impressed everyone.

Brooks pitched 7.1 innings, allowed only one run, and struck out five. His spot in the rotation was in limbo after the acquisition of Felix Doubront, but since he performed much better than expected against the Cleveland Indians, Oakland decided to keep him in the rotation. Let’s just hope this performance was not a fluke. If he continues to be consistent and prove that he can pitch at the Major League level, he will be considered for the starting rotation in 2016.

Next: Unlikely 2016 Starters