Stephen Piscotty‘s season appeared to be over when the Oakland A’s announced that he would undergo wrist surgery. Even without giving a timetable, the idea that he could bounce back fast enough to be back in time for the end of the season was far-fetched. However, until that official announcement came, one could hold out hope.
That hope officially came to an end on Friday. The A’s announced that while Piscotty’s wrist surgery was successful, he is out for the year.
Stephen Piscotty medical update: pic.twitter.com/AlY3Z2HScN
— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) August 27, 2021
Stephen Piscotty officially out for remainder of 2021
That announcement puts a bow on what had been a very disappointing season for Piscotty. He ends the year with a disappointing .220/.282/.353 batting line in his 188 plate appearances, hitting five homers and eight doubles. However, as disappointing as those numbers may be, they do represent an improvement over his 2020 campaign.
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The injury had clearly hampered his ability at the plate. His disappointing 2020 showing can be ignored given the peculiarity of the pandemic shortened season, especially as he had produced a solid 95 OPS+ with some pop in 2019. And maybe his disappointing showing this year can also be ignored given that wrist issue.
Whether or not Piscotty will be able to bounce back is the $7.5+ million question for 2022. He will be in the final guaranteed year of his contract, and will need to have a strong showing in order to find a home in 2023. Yes, the A’s hold a $15 million option, but unless Piscotty suddenly turns into Reggie Jackson, that is not being picked up.
He will have a year to prove that he can still be a productive player. The wrist should be healed by the time that spring training comes around, allowing Piscotty to put those two years in the rearview mirror. There should be nothing keeping him from being the player the A’s had hoped for. And he needs to show that he can be that player for his own future.
Stephen Piscotty had successful surgery on his wrist on Friday. He can now focus on 2022, and getting ready for a make or break year.