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Peyton Pallette an intriguing option for Oakland A’s in MLB Draft

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: An Oakland Athletics hat sits near the dugout during the game against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on September 25, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: An Oakland Athletics hat sits near the dugout during the game against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on September 25, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s hold the 19th overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft. While they should be able to land an intriguing prospect with that selection, they may also be able to get a steal in the second round due to Peyton Pallette‘s injury situation.

Pallette had been considered to be the 13th best prospect eligible for the upcoming draft by MLB.com and the top collegiate arm. However, there were some concerns, especially as he saw his 2021 season cut short due to elbow soreness. Those problems persisted during fall practice as he threw just one inning.

Peyton Pallette could be second round steal for Oakland A’s

The Arkansas Razorbacks received the worst possible news about Pallette on Thursday. Those ongoing elbow issues will lead to Tommy John surgery, knocking him out for the 2022 season and costing the Razorbacks their projected ace. This also impacts his draft status, as Pallette is no longer likely to be taken in the middle of the first round.

That leads to a potential bargain for the Oakland A’s. Teams may be leery of investing that first round pick, or even an early second round selection, on a player who will not be able to begin their professional career until sometime in 2023.

Even with those injury concerns, it is easy to be excited about Pallette’s potential. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and can reach 99 MPH. His curve is easily his best pitch, a plus offering with excellent depth and a high spin rate. Pallette also has an average change with fade and sinking action that could get even better as he develops. Add in his solid command, and it is easy to project that he could be a top of the rotation arm in a few years.

That is also a profile that is currently lacking in the A’s farm system. Even their top pitching prospects are better suited to the middle or back of the rotation, with A.J. Puk likely headed to a full time relief role due to his own injury woes. The A’s need someone such as Pallette, and if he falls to their second pick, he should be the choice.

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The Oakland A’s need to find potential top of the rotation talent for their system. Peyton Pallette could be just that if he falls far enough.