Now that out of the peak of the A’s fire sale, it’s time to move on. Through all the trades and new city rumors, it’s hard to see the forest through the trees. But, hopefully, it will be worth it in the long run. With that, who exactly is Ryan Cusick?
Ryan Cusick comes over from the Braves.
The RHP was part of the Matt Olson trade to the Braves. Cusick was a 2021 first round pick from Wake Forest and is a real presence. At 6′ 6″ and 230 lbs., he is known for the power behind his pitches. During his college years, Cusick made the transition from bullpen to rotation.
Braves 2021 first-rounder Ryan Cusick shoved in his pro debut in Low-A!
— Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) August 13, 2021
3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 48 P
(📹 @gvedak)
pic.twitter.com/df6zcoCJTS
What does he bring to the organization?
While playing for the Low-A Augusta team in 2021, his fastball topped out at 102 mph, showcasing his massive force. Cusick finished the season with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.163 WHIP after starting 6 games.
The fastball will only take him so far if he wants to move his way up in the organization. The strength is there, but Cusick needs to cultivate the rest of his repertoire. According to scouts, he is currently developing his ~80 mph curveball.
There could be room for Cusick and his signature fastball in the bullpen. If he makes the move back, there may be opportunities to really hone the fastball and find a place as a potential closer.
It will be interesting to see how the A’s balance the power with the finesse in order to expand his arsenal or perfect the fastball.
Get excited, A’s fans.
Honestly, the more research I do into these new prospects, the sting of losing Matt Olson subsides a little bit. Cusick’s overall potential, power, and some notoriety from Low-A are all huge for Oakland. The responsibility now falls on the organization to develop his talents and make him a player of the future.
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The A’s did the research. It’s giving me Moneyball vibes. Anyone else?