3 Oakland A’s players that need to prove themselves in 2022
The Oakland A’s would seem to be in a strong position heading into the 2022 season. Their core is intact, and with the right free agent signings, they could be a factor in the AL West once again.
But that is the problem – ownership will not spend. If the A’s are going to contend once more, they will need to have their core players step up and have some younger players take that next step forward. At times, that may be easier said than done.
3 Oakland A’s players that need to prove themselves
That is particularly the case when some of those players have giant question marks attached to them. The A’s need those players to prove themselves in 2022, or else they may not have much of a future with the franchise going forward. Likewise, they need those players to take that step forward in order to contend.
Let’s take a look at three members of the Oakland A’s who need to prove themselves during the 2022 season.
Matt Chapman
It is strange to think that Matt Chapman would be someone that needs to prove himself with the Oakland A’s. However, after his struggles over the past two seasons, that is the case.
Heading into the 2020 season, there was a case that Chapman was the best third baseman in the game. A two time Platinum Glove winner and an All Star in 2019, he was an all around threat – a power hitter with an impressive glove and howitzer for an arm. He was the type of player that the A’s could build around.
But that has not been the case since. A torn hip labrum torpedoed his 2020 campaign, and he just never seemed right in 2021. Chapman set an A’s record with 202 strikeouts while his 100 OPS+ was easily the worst of his career. While he did draw 80 walks and hit 27 homers, he was not able to provide much else in the lineup.
That has to change in 2022. If the A’s are going to contend next season, they need Chapman to be the player he had been prior to the 2020 campaign.
A.J. Puk
It seems as though the Oakland A’s have been waiting on A.J. Puk forever. The 2022 season may be his last chance to show that he can be a part of their future.
A consensus top 100 prospect for four consecutive years, Puk was supposed to be a top of the rotation arm, a future ace for the A’s. While he had command issues, his pure stuff was enough where he had the potential to be a difference maker.
Injuries derailed his development and led to his conversion to the bullpen. Even then, his high octane fastball and power slider from the left side gave him the type of arsenal where he could be an asset. However, he posted a miserable 6.08 ERA and a 1.800 WHiP in his 13.1 innings, being sent back to Triple-A.
There comes a time when potential just is not enough anymore. Puk will be 27 years old shortly after the start of the 2022 season, and needs more than that former top prospect pedigree. He needs to prove that he can stay healthy and actually become a major league asset. If that does not happen, he will end up as yet another failed top prospect.
The Oakland A’s will have several openings in their bullpen. It is time for A.J. Puk to step up and claim one for his own.
Daulton Jefferies
The Oakland A’s may look a lot different on Opening Day 2022. The expectation is that the team is going to enter a teardown, with anyone that is making a decent salary being sent elsewhere.
That would likely leave several openings in the rotation. Ideally, the A’s would like to see Daulton Jefferies claim one of those spots, providing an internal option with plenty of team control as a back of the rotation arm.
His progression through the minors had been stalled by injury, but Jefferies displayed excellent command and an ability to spot his pitches when he was able to get on the mound. That success has yet to carry over to the major league level, although he fared relatively well last season. He posted a 3.60 ERA and a 1.000 WHiP in his 15 innings, issuing four walks, but striking out just eight batters.
If Jefferies is going to claim a spot on the pitching staff, he is going to need to show a lot more than that. The A’s may be counting on him to fill one of those spots in the rotation, hoping that he can perform as he had in the minors. If he cannot, his audition may not last as long as one would expect.
Next. Prospect stage set for Jeff Criswell. dark
Daulton Jefferies could finally get his shot in the Oakland A’s rotation in 2022. However, he may not have as long of a leash as expected.