Oakland A’s: Three prospects that can have major roles in 2021
As the Oakland A’s look to fill out their roster without much money, their prospects will play important roles. Let’s look at three players poised to make a difference.
The Oakland A’s, much like many other teams in Major League Baseball, are going to find themselves in a financial crunch this offseason. Due to not having any fan revenue in 2020, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, teams may not be as active as usual in free agency, leaving those franchises to find internal options to fill out the roster.
That is particularly true with the A’s. Even in a normal offseason, they would be hard pressed to replace each of their ten free agents in the open market. As such, their prospects will find themselves thrust into significant roles starting next season.
Let’s take a look at three prospects that the Oakland A’s may need to rely upon.
A.J. Puk
A.J. Puk is the obvious choice for a role on the Oakland A’s pitching staff. Had he been healthy, his time would have already come – he was seemingly ticketed for a place in the A’s rotation for the start of the 2018 season, but missed the year due to Tommy John surgery.
Those injury concerns have been an ongoing issue for Puk. He has been a consensus top 100 prospect in each of the past four years, but has pitched a combined 36.2 innings since the end of the 2017 season. He missed all of 2020 due to ongoing shoulder issues that eventually required surgery.
His injuries have also put his future role in question. While the A’s still envision Puk as a starter, it is fair to wonder if his arm can hold up to such a workload. Given his excellent slider and high octane fastball, Puk could be a devasting reliever, potentially even serving as a closer. The A’s do have an opening for the ninth inning with Liam Hendriks‘ expected departure, so Puk’s ascension to the role may not take long.
If healthy, A.J. Puk will have a major role with the Oakland A’s. But that caveat will remain until he can prove that he can stay on the mound.
Daulton Jefferies
It is safe to say that Daulton Jefferies‘ major league debut did not go according to plan.
He lasted just two innings in his start on September 12, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks, notching just one strikeout as he took the loss. It was certainly a far cry from the production that made him an intriguing prospect in the A’s system.
But that is not likely to be the last time that we see Jefferies on a major league mound. The A’s have an opening in their rotation, and may look to give their internal options the first shot at claiming a spot. If so, Jefferies could be atop that list, especially if A.J. Puk ends up in the bullpen.
While Jefferies has his own troubling injury history, there is no question that his future is to be a starter. In his 99.1 minor league innings, Jefferies has posted a 3.17 ERA and a 1.047 WHiP, striking out 121 batters with just 12 walks. If he is healthy, Jefferies is ready for a spot in the A’s rotation.
That could come in 2021. The Oakland A’s will need a starter to fill out their rotation, and Daulton Jefferies could emerge as that option.
Seth Brown
If Seth Brown is going to make an impact with the Oakland A’s, 2021 will be his best chance to do so.
He had emerged as a power threat in the A’s system, twice reaching the 30 homer plateau. His 2019 campaign, where he produced a .297/.352/.634 batting line with 37 homers and 29 doubles in 500 plate appearances. That performance led to Brown making his major league debut, where he posted a .293/.361/.453 batting line over his 83 plate appearances, hitting eight doubles and two triples.
However, that success did not lead to much of a role in 2020. He appeared in just seven games, receiving only five plate appearances. Brown did not record a hit, striking out twice as he spent most of the summer at the A’s alternate site.
That could change in 2021. The A’s have an opening in the outfield with Robbie Grossman‘s anticipated departure. Brown has a track record of being a solid power threat in the minors, and seemingly has nothing left to prove at AAA. This could be his best chance to prove that he can be a viable major league option.
Next. Three bounceback starters to consider. dark
The Oakland A’s will be in the market for an outfielder. Seth Brown could be just what they need.