A Look Ahead: Predicted Pitching Rotation for the Oakland Athletics in 2023

Time Stamp: March 21, 2023 2:36 PM
Source Node: 2526298

The Oakland Athletics have always been a team that has relied heavily on their pitching staff to carry them through the season. With a strong emphasis on developing young talent and finding diamonds in the rough, the A’s have consistently been able to field competitive teams despite their smaller market size.

Looking ahead to the 2023 season, it’s clear that the A’s will once again be relying on their pitching staff to lead the way. Here’s a look at what their starting rotation could potentially look like:

1. Jesus Luzardo – The left-handed Luzardo has long been considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, and he’s already shown flashes of his potential at the major league level. In 2023, he’ll be just 25 years old and should be entering his prime. If he can stay healthy and continue to develop his arsenal of pitches, he could easily be the ace of the A’s staff.

2. A.J. Puk – Another lefty, Puk has had a bit of a rocky start to his major league career thanks to injuries and inconsistency. However, he’s still just 27 years old in 2023 and has the potential to be a dominant force on the mound. If he can stay healthy and refine his command, he could be a valuable number two starter for the A’s.

3. Sean Manaea – Manaea has already established himself as a reliable starter for the A’s, and in 2023 he’ll still only be 31 years old. He doesn’t have the same raw stuff as Luzardo or Puk, but he’s proven that he can get outs at the major league level. He could be a solid mid-rotation option for the A’s in 2023.

4. James Kaprielian – Kaprielian is another young pitcher who has shown promise in limited major league action. He’ll be 29 years old in 2023 and could be ready to take on a larger role in the A’s rotation. He has a good fastball and slider combination, and if he can continue to develop his changeup, he could be a valuable back-end starter.

5. Daulton Jefferies – Jefferies is a bit of a wild card, as he hasn’t yet made his major league debut. However, he’s been impressive in the minor leagues and could be ready to contribute in 2023. He’ll be 27 years old and has a good mix of pitches, including a fastball that can touch the mid-90s. If he can continue to refine his command, he could be a solid fifth starter for the A’s.

Of course, this is all speculation at this point. The A’s could make trades or sign free agents that drastically alter their pitching staff between now and 2023. However, if these five pitchers are able to stay healthy and continue to develop as expected, the A’s could have one of the most formidable rotations in baseball.