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Chris Bassitt showing he could build off 2019 breakout

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Oakland Athletics pitches in an intersquad game during summer workouts at RingCentral Coliseum on July 12, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Oakland Athletics pitches in an intersquad game during summer workouts at RingCentral Coliseum on July 12, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s need Chris Bassitt to prove that 2019 was not a fluke. His most recent outing is providing hope that will be the case.

At long last, Chris Bassitt finally had his breakout campaign in 2019. After years plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness, Bassitt was finally able to get an extended look at the majors. He posted a solid 10-5 record with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.194 WHiP over his 144 innings, easily the best marks of his major league career.

With Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk slated to join the A’s rotation this year, Bassitt was considered to be an exceptional depth piece. However, he is once again needed to step up, with Puk on the Injured List and Luzardo coming out of the bullpen due to his bout with COVID-19.

This change in role also makes Bassitt an important piece for the A’s hopes in 2020. The rotation has not exactly been a bastion of health over the years, and there are question marks about how much their starters can be trusted. For that matter, the same holds true for Bassitt.

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Bassitt did not exactly show any signs that he would be able to replicate that success in spring training. He allowed four runs on five hits and seven walks over nine innings, striking out five. Even though he was not expected to fill a role in the rotation just then, the A’s were hoping to see something more.

That happened in summer camp. Bassitt has looked ready for the season to begin, particularly in his outing on Tuesday. While Mike Fiers struggled, that was not the case for Bassitt, who allowed just one run on three hits over four innings, striking out five without issuing a walk.

Ideally, Bassitt will be able to build on his success from 2019, taking the next step forward and prove to be a valuable member of the rotation. Even if he just maintains his performance from last year, he would be an important piece of the A’s postseason aspirations.

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The Oakland A’s need Chris Bassitt to build off of his breakout 2019 campaign. On Tuesday, he showed that he might be able to.