Call to the pen
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Oakland Athletics Fans Should Look Forward to 2020, Not 2019

By Will Patrone

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Yusmeiro Petit #36 and Franklin Barreto #1 of the Oakland Athletics stand in the dugout prior to the game against the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium on October 3, 2018 New York, New York. The Yankees defeated the Athletics 7-2. Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Yusmeiro Petit #36 and Franklin Barreto #1 of the Oakland Athletics stand in the dugout prior to the game against the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium on October 3, 2018 New York, New York. The Yankees defeated the Athletics 7-2. Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

Athletics 2020: Prospects

The Athletics have one of the strongest minor league systems in all of baseball. Fortunately for them, a majority of their top prospects are close to the big leagues. As mentioned above, AJ Puk, one of the A’s top prospects, needs a few more starts in the minor leagues before being deemed ready to join the team in Oakland. MLB Pipeline’s top left handed hitting prospect, Jesus Luzardo, has lit up Triple-A in the few starts he has made in Nashville. There was speculation from outside sources that Luzardo would be added to the 40-man roster before rosters finalized for the postseason on September 1st.  Holmes and Kapreilian, should they stand out in the minor leagues this upcoming season, are in contention for a starting role in Oakland in 2020. If not, they could be considered candidates to join the rotation midway through 2020.

Should the A’s resign Jed Lowrie this offseason, he will likely split time with youngster and former #1 prospect Franklin Barreto. It is likely that Barreto would take over the full-time role in 2020 should Lowrie resign; Baretto would also have another year of experience to lower his staggeringly high strikeout rate and gain major league experience. Jorge Mateo, acquired in the trade that brought Kaprielian, was the only player not brought up this past season for September call-ups. Mateo needs more time in the minors to develop into the player the A’s want him to be. Already in Triple-A, Mateo can hone his skills in Las Vegas this season and make an impact for the A’s in 2020. Sean Murphy, the A’s top catching prospect, will play in Las Vegas this season, and likely will not make the opening day rooster as he has spent under a month at the Triple-A level. In turn, the Double-A all-star can acquire the skills needed for major league success this season and be the starting catcher in 2020.

Next. A's minor league awards. dark

The A’s have momentum entering 2019. However, as injuries pile up, 2020 may be the year the A’s see success as the influx of potential prospects to the starting lineup could make the difference for the A’s on their push for postseason success.

C: Sean Murphy

1B: Matt Olson

2B: Franklin Barreto

3B: Matt Chapman

SS: Jorge Mateo

LF: Dustin Fowler

CF: Ramon Laureano

RF: Stephen Piscitty

SP: AJ Puk

SP: Sean Manaea

SP: Jesus Luzardo

SP:  Jharel Cotton

SP: James Kaprielian/Grant Holmes

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