Oakland Athletics: Finding a role for Chris Bassitt

After a career year in 2019, Oakland Athletics pitcher Chris Bassitt enters the 2020 season without a defined role on the pitching staff.

Finally, at long last, Chris Bassitt had a chance to show what he could do over a full season in the majors in 2019. The Oakland Athletics pitcher had ridden the bus between AAA and the majors, getting over 50 innings in the majors just once in his four previous seasons.

That changed in 2019. After the A’s moved on from Marco Estrada, Bassitt found himself holding down a regular spot in the back of the rotation. He responded with a career year, posting a 10-5 record with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.194 WHiP, striking out 141 batters with just 47 walks in 144 innings.

With A.J. Puk sidelined during spring training with a shoulder injury, Bassitt was expected to reprise his role as the A’s fifth starter, at least at the beginning of the season. However, due to the layoff, Puk has begun throwing again, and has already started throwing from 120 feet.

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This leaves Bassitt’s role for 2020 in doubt. It is possible that Puk will be healthy when the season begins, potentially ready to assume his role in the A’s rotation. Depending on how the schedule is set up, Bassitt may find himself as a spot starter/long reliever moving forward.

A move to the bullpen could actually work out well for Bassitt and the A’s. Although it is a small sample size, Bassitt has performed well as a reliever, posting a 2.60 ERA and a 1.084 WHiP in his 27.2 innings. He has struck out 32 batters in relief, although his command has not been the same, issuing 16 walks.

If Bassitt can rein in his command out of the bullpen, he could be another intriguing option for the A’s late in the game. Oakland has found success with pitchers reinventing themselves later in their careers – just look at Liam Hendrik’s breakout last year. It is possible that Bassitt can find success in that role should the A’s not have any room for him in the rotation.

In 2019, Chris Bassitt proved he can be a viable major league option. He just needs a role with the Oakland Athletics.