Oakland Athletics Top 10 Prospects for 2017
2. A.J. Puk, LHP
Birthdate: 4/25/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: short season A
Stats in 2016: 32 2/3 IP, 3.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 8.76 BB%, 29.2 K%
Coming into the 2016 season, many figured that it was simply a matter of how much money Puk would get as the top overall pick, not whether or not he would be that pick.
Instead, he had a very up and down final collegiate season in a loaded Florida rotation that ended up bumping him off of the “ace” Friday slot due to some of his struggles. This caused him to drop to the 6th overall selection of the draft and into Oakland’s lap.
Puk was so highly regarded for good reason. He’s 6’7 and uses his excellent size to get tremendous plane on his fastball that can touch 97. He also has a plus slider and a change that flashes the ability to be plus but currently is more consistently an average pitch.
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The big issue in Puk’s 2016 collegiate season was a back injury early in the year, and with a guy of Puk’s height, a back problem can be a considerable concern. Discomfort in his back caused him to get offline in his mechanics, which led to him having significant control and command issues.
If he can get his back issues under control with proper rest and training at the pro level, he has shown the physical strength to take his premier velocity and excellent slider break deep into games.
Puk flashed all of the good and bad in his short time in the New York-Penn League in 2016. It will be interesting to see where he’s sent in 2017, but it will certainly be to a full season league.
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