Oakland Athletics Minor League Pitcher of the Year: Parker Dunshee
Level(s): high-A Stockton, AA Midland
Stats: 13-6, 24 G, 22 GS, 150 2/3 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 31/163 BB/K
The Oakland Athletics nabbed Wake Forest ace Parker Dunshee in the 7th round in 2017, and he’s moved quickly based on his high level of feel on the mound. In 2018, he split the season with 12 games each at high-A and AA.
Dunshee’s results would have a stat line scout believing that Dunshee is set up to be a front rotation starter, but he’s still surviving heavily on feel and command, with a lot of hitters chasing what is above-average offspeed stuff that Dunshee plays up due to excellent command and control.
Most likely, Dunshee will open in AAA in 2019, and he still profiles as a very solid #4 starter, and he could be up to the majors if the rotation needs fill during the season as he’ll certainly provide quality innings.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Runners-up
Drafted in the 8th round out Texas Christian in 2017, Brian Howard is a long, lean guy at 6’9″ and not yet 200 pounds. As he fills out, he will be a guy to watch as he could be something special, though I still think he has a reliever future. He pitched with high-A and AA in 2018, posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 37/140 BB/K ratio over 139 1/3 innings.
Jesus Luzardo has established himself as one of the top 15-20 prospects in the entire game after a huge season in 2018. He made it up to AAA, combining for a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 30/129 BB/K over 109 1/3 innings at 20 years old. He is working to build up innings after coming back from Tommy John surgery in the 2017 season. He’ll open 2019 in AAA, and he will likely work to build up his innings for one more season before truly being launched into the Oakland Athletics rotation.
Another college arm drafted in 2017 by the Oakland Athletics, Wyatt Marks pitched across both A-ball levels in 2018, posting a 3.30 ERA and a 51/159 BB/K ratio over 133 2/3 innings. He’ll likely open in high-A in 2019, but he will jump quickly to AA.
The Oakland Athletics moved Ben Bracewell to the rotation in 2017 from the bullpen, and though that means he’s an older prospect, Bracewell had a very good 2018 season, reaching AAA. He tossed 149 1/3 innings, allowing a 3.31 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 29/127 BB/K ratio.
With some big holes in free agency for the Oakland Athletics in 2019, they will lean on their farm system to help fill those holes. Luckily, they have built their farm system up well.