Fansided

Brent Honeywell looking to get his chance in majors

By David Hill |
Oct 19, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Brent Honeywell near the mound before a workout session the day before the start of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Park. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Brent Honeywell near the mound before a workout session the day before the start of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Park. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Brent Honeywell was supposed to have already established himself at the major league level by now. He was one of the top prospects in baseball, a consensus top 100 prospect for four consecutive years who seemed destined to be a top of the rotation starter. The Rays appeared to have developed yet another pitcher in their impressive assembly line.

Then the injuries came. Honeywell missed the 2018 season due to Tommy John surgery, then broke a bone in his elbow as he was beginning his rehab, ending his 2019 campaign before it started. The pandemic wiped out the 2020 season. By the time he returned to the mound in 2021, it was over three and a half years since he had pitched in a game.

Oakland A’s giving Brent Honeywell a chance to establish himself

Honeywell was able to make his major league debut last year. He only made three appearances totaling 4.1 innings, but it was still an accomplishment after his injury woes. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks, striking out four, but still showed some of that promise he had in his younger days.

Now that he is with the Oakland A’s, Honeywell has more of a chance to establish himself. The battle for the fifth starter role is wide open, with Honeywell amongst a slew of candidates for that spot. There may be other openings as well, depending on whether or not Sean Manaea and/or Frankie Montas are traded.

This gives Honeywell a viable chance to establish himself, one that he would not have received with the Rays. He still has his excellent fastball and devastating screwball. While he may need some time to get his command back, Honeywell still has that ceiling that made him one of the more intriguing prospects in the game.

At some point, that promise will need to translate into results. But he also needs a chance for that to happen. The A’s have openings, either in the rotation or the bullpen, to allow Honeywell to do exactly that.

Next. A's prove tone deafness with Olson video. dark

White Cleat Beat
White Cleat Beat /

Want your voice heard? Join the White Cleat Beat team!

Write for us!

Brent Honeywell may finally get his chance to prove himself. He has an opportunity to live up to his potential with the rebuilding Oakland A’s.

Schedule