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MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help A’s in 2019

By Sean Sears

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Franklin Barreto #1 of the Oakland Athletics jogs to first base on his two-run homerun to center tield during the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 5-4. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Franklin Barreto #1 of the Oakland Athletics jogs to first base on his two-run homerun to center tield during the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 5-4. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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MESA, AZ – MARCH 3: A.J. Puk #30 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the San Diego Padres at Hohokam Stadium on March 3, 2018, in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ – MARCH 3: A.J. Puk #30 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the San Diego Padres at Hohokam Stadium on March 3, 2018, in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

5.  A.J. Puk, LHP

The 6-foot-7 23-year-old left-hander was easily one of the most dominating arms in the minors during his 2017 season, posting a 4.03 ERA while striking out 184 batters compared to just 48 walks in 125 combined IP between A+ and AA. A.J. Puk was on the fast-track to the majors before he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery in April, shutting him down for the rest of the 2018 season.

While command may be an issue as he recovers from Tommy John, his fastball is still sitting around 96-97 MPH and his wipe-out slider helps him miss a ton of bats. Puk profiles as a starter (MLB Pipeline puts his ceiling as a No. 2 starter), but with his 12.8 career K/9 in the minors, the lefty could make sense coming out of the bullpen later this season.

However, it could be a bit of an aggressive move to bring Puk any earlier than September as he just started throwing to live hitters last week. If Puk returns to form and then some, he could push his career back on track faster than expected. However, given the cautious nature of the Athletics, Puk has a strong September call-up case, and anything earlier would have to mean the 23-year-old is tearing up the minors. That isn’t out of the question for Puk, but he probably won’t hit the Athletics’ roster too quickly.

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