MLB Draft: How far along is the Class of 2016 today?

Let’s take a look at where the MLB Draft Class of 2016 is now

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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MESA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 19: Pitcher A.J. Puk #31 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during photo day at HoHoKam Stadium on February 19, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

6. Oakland Athletics: A.J. Puk, LHP, Florida

Florida southpaw A.J. Puk was in the running to go first overall to the Phillies, but questions about his consistency and makeup dropped him out of the top five. The A’s were more than happy to snap up Puk with the sixth pick, and they signed him to a huge bonus of over $4 million. Armed with a fastball in the upper nineties and a devastating slider, the 6-foot-7 lefty’s floor was seen as dominant reliever, with a top-of-the rotation ceiling.

The A’s were almost instantly rewarded for their willingness to gamble on Puk. He made 10 starts in 2016, striking out 40 in 32.2 innings with a 3.03 ERA and low walk rate. Puk was promoted to Double-A in the middle of 2017, and finished that season by leading the entire minor leagues with a strikeout rate of 13.2 per nine. He also continued showing good command and developed his changeup from a fringe pitch to a legitimate weapon.

Unfortunately, Puk required Tommy John surgery last April and is just getting back on the mound. He had been on track to reach the big leagues last year had he been able to stay healthy. The A’s will start Puk off in High-A, and if he is able to show the same level of dominance, should be back on the fast track to reach the major leagues next season.

Oakland has to be careful with Puk, and plans to use him in a relief role this season. His upside is still there, and the worst-case scenario is that he will make it to the big leagues as a reliever instead of the starter the A’s originally envisioned.

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