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Garrett Acton could become key piece in Oakland A’s bullpen

By David Hill

Apr 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A baseball rests on the pitching mound before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A baseball rests on the pitching mound before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minor league statistics do not always mean anything when it comes to how a player will perform at the major league level. The Oakland A’s hope that is the case with Garrett Acton.

While Acton was able to reach Triple-A last season, his overall numbers were hardly inspiring. He posted a 5.01 ERA and a 1.486 WHiP in his 70 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, striking out 92 batters while issuing 29 walks and allowing 15 homers. That is not the type of performance that would lead anyone to think he could be a major league weapon.

Oakland A’s prospect Garrett Acton more than the numbers show

Those numbers still show why the A’s would have high hopes for Acton. His ability to generate swings and misses is something that is sorely needed in their bullpen. It is also likely that he will perform much better than those raw numbers indicate given his stuff and the fact that Pacific Coast League had an utterly ridiculous offensive rate.

Acton does have the arsenal to be a weapon in the back of the A’s bullpen. His fastball is a plus offering, sitting in the upper 90s and a slider that has plus potential as well. He also has a changeup that he uses infrequently and mainly uses as a show pitch, but it could be a weapon if he continues to refine the offering.

The fastball and slider combination should be more than enough for Acton in a relief role. Both pitches generate swings and misses and play well off of each other. Considering how much the A’s need that type of arm, it would not be a surprise if he was to get a long look during spring training this year.

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Garrett Acton has the potential to make an impact in the Oakland A’s bullpen. He could be far more than his 2022 statistics indicate.