A’s Sign Aaron Civale
The Athletics have signed back-end starter Aaron Civale to a $6 million free agent deal this week. He will join Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs as the experienced pitchers in an otherwise youthful rotation. Manager Mark Kotsay indicated on Wednesday that while these three veterans are confirmed starters, competition will determine the last two spots. “It’s definitely an open competition,” he told Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. “This year, we have some depth that we’ve lacked in the past.”
Returning Starters
Among the returning starters for the A’s, only Springs and Severino exceeded 100 MLB innings last season. Jacob Lopez led with 92.2 innings over 21 appearances (17 starts). Following him were J.T. Ginn, Luis Morales, Gunnar Hoglund, Mason Barnett, and Jack Perkins. Morales and Lopez are the leading candidates as they head into camp.
Pitchers’ Performance
The 23-year-old Morales posted a 3.14 ERA in his initial 48.2 MLB innings. Although his strikeout percentage of 21.6% and 9% walk rate could be improved, his fastball averages 97 mph, giving him a solid foundation. Conversely, Lopez, a 28-year-old lefty, had a 4.08 ERA, with a standout 28.3% strikeout rate. Despite a challenging end to his season with a nine-run outing, he carries promise into the new season.
Ginn and Barnett’s Competition
Ginn has a strong chance of contending for a rotation slot, having achieved a 25% strikeout rate and an 8% walk rate. However, he faced struggles at home, resulting in a high ERA. Barnett made his big league debut but struggled with a nearly 7.00 ERA over five starts, despite showcasing potential with his mid-90s fastball and quality slider. Hoglund, a former first-round pick, had a strong brief stint before injuries hampered his season.
Perkins and Other Options
Perkins logged four starts after his June call-up, but his season ended early due to a shoulder strain. His fastball averaged around 96 mph, yet his minor league performance indicated a possible fit in the bullpen due to high walk rates. Meanwhile, Luis Medina and Joey Estes possess MLB experience, with Medina expected in long relief due to his Tommy John rehab.
Future Prospects
The A’s top pitching prospects, such as Gage Jump and Jamie Arnold, are still in the minors, with Jump potentially breaking into the team after a solid performance in Double-A. Several other promising prospects, notably Braden Nett and Henry Baez, are included among those who could make their mark in Spring Training.
