Fansided

Top 5 MLB prospects who could impact playoff races

By Joshua Sadlock

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Gavin Lux #10 of the National League Futures Team throws during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 7, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Gavin Lux #10 of the National League Futures Team throws during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 7, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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MESA, ARIZONA – MARCH 05: Jesus Luzardo #44 of the Oakland Athletics delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Texas Rangers at HoHoKam Stadium on March 05, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
MESA, ARIZONA – MARCH 05: Jesus Luzardo #44 of the Oakland Athletics delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Texas Rangers at HoHoKam Stadium on March 05, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

2. Jesus Luzardo

As they fight for an AL Wild Card spot, the Oakland Athletics could soon have pitching reinforcements on the way from their farm system. At the deadline, the A’s made value acquisitions in starter Tanner Roark and reliever Jake Diekman (they also traded for Homer Bailey, but he has been a disaster so far). If Oakland is going to come out of the three-team dogfight for two AL Wild Cards, they will need every bit of help they can get.

The most likely candidate to rise out of the A’s prospect pool is left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who was acquired in the Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson trade with the Washington Nationals in 2017. The 21-year-old climbed three levels last year to end the season at Triple-A. He ended the year with a 2.88 ERA in 109.1 innings across 23 starts and struck out 10.6 per-nine while allowing only seven home runs. Luzardo features a mid-90s fastball with sink and a good changeup.

Luzardo appeared set to make the jump to the big leagues this year, but he has been slowed down by nagging injuries. He is set to get return soon from a lat strain that kept him out most of July. Luzardo has been limited to five appearances and 19.1 innings this year, but has a 2.79 ERA and has struck out 11.6 per-nine.

The A’s should feel comfortable giving Luzardo his first chance at the MLB level, and he could be particularly effective in short bursts out of the bullpen. Another big-name prospect to watch out of Oakland is 2016 top pick A.J. Puk who is working back from Tommy John but led the Minor Leagues with 13.2 strikeouts per-nine in 2017. Puk has an electric fastball and slider, which could also make him a devastating relief weapon down the stretch.

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