Oakland Athletics: September gives many reasons for excitement
The Oakland Athletics are in the thick of the Wild Card race but are not shying away from giving their top prospects a taste of the action.
September is often the most exhilarating month during baseball’s regular season. For teams in the hunt, it’s when the playoff races really begin to heat up. On the flip side, even rebuilding clubs can be worth watching, as this month offers a chance to catch a glimpse of young players.
In the case of the Oakland Athletics — the club is both in contention and providing potential future stars their first taste of the big leagues.
24-year-old A.J. Puk, the A’s first-round pick of the 2016 draft, was the first notable A’s prospect to receive a call-up this season, debuting August 21.
More from Oakland Athletics
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- Oakland Athletics end perfect game, still lose Game 1 of Wild Card round
- Oakland Athletics: Jesus Luzardo will start Game 1 of Wild Card round
- Oakland Athletics clinch first AL West title since 2013
- Oakland Athletics: Can Jamb Lamb save the restructured infield?
Puk almost surely would have graced the big leagues sooner had he not injured his elbow, forcing him to undergo Tommy John surgery in April of last year. He returned this season and posted mixed results in the minor leagues up until his call-up.
Nonetheless, Puk has flashed the stuff that made him a first-rounder, averaging 97.4mph on his fastball — albeit in a very limited sample size at the major league level.
The 6-foot-7 lefty was followed by fellow 24-year-old infielder Sheldon Neuse, who debuted about a week later, and now, getting his long-awaited promotion is 21-year-old Peruvian southpaw Jesus Luzardo.
More from Golden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
A side-note worth mentioning — Luzardo is officially the first Peruvian-born player to reach the Major Leagues.
Both Neuse and Luzardo, along with Blake Treinen, were acquired when the A’s sent Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle to the Washington Nationals in July of 2017.
As for Neuse, he was one of the better offensive players in the Pacific Coast League this season, posting an OPS of .939 and knocking in 102 runs in just 126 games.
Luzardo on the other hand, missed significant time earlier this year due to shoulder and lat injuries, but put up promising numbers when healthy.
Additionally, it must be pointed out that first-baseman/outfielder Seth Brown also debuted in late August. The 27-year-old Bown, who has been with the A’s organization since he was drafted in 2015, doesn’t carry the same intrigue as do Puk, Luzardo, or even Neuse, but he has performed well so far.
It’s an exciting time for the A’s organization and the fans, as they get to not only watch their team fight for a Wild Card spot, but also catch a glimpse of what could be a bright future.
Next. Oakland Athletics: What to expect from top prospect Jesus Luzardo?. dark
And what better time to test the grit of young stars than in a playoff race?