Headlines

  • Cody Bellinger Has Hairline Fracture In Left Leg
  • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings
  • MLB To Experiment With New DH Rule, Mound Distance During 2021 Atlantic League Season
  • Astros, Martin Maldonado Finalizing One-Year Extension
  • James Paxton To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
  • 2021 Trade Deadline Will Be July 30
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Athletics To Promote A.J. Puk

By Steve Adams | August 19, 2019 at 11:47am CDT

The Athletics will promote left-hander A.J. Puk from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to tomorrow’s game, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports (via Twitter). Puk, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 draft, will need to have his contract formally selected. Oakland has an opening on its 40-man roster to accommodate him.

A.J. Puk | Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Puk, 24, is considered by virtually every major prospect outlet to be among the game’s top 50 prospects. He’s viewed as a potential key piece to the Athletics’ rotation down the road, but he’s been working primarily in relief this season as he works back from 2018 Tommy John surgery. The towering 6’7″ southpaw has a lackluster 4.97 ERA in 25 1/3 minor league innings this season, but he’s also punched out 38 hitters against 10 walks in that time.

Fangraphs currently rates Puk as baseball’s No. 21 prospect, putting a 65 grade on his fastball, a 60 on his slider and giving him the potential for two more average or better offerings in his changeup and curveball. MLB.com lists Puk 43rd among MLB prospects and dropped a 70 grade on his heater with a 65 on his slider. Puk, who paced all minor league starters with 13.2 K/9 in his last full season back in 2017, is touted as a potential No. 2 starter at the Major League level. He’ll likely get the opportunity to make good on those bullish forecasts in 2020, alongside the likes of Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas and perhaps fellow ballyhooed left-hander Jesus Luzardo, but for now he’ll step into Bob Melvin’s bullpen and look to help shut things down in the late innings.

Oakland has three left-handers in the ’pen at the moment, with Jake Diekman, Wei-Chung Wang and Ryan Buchter all giving Melvin southpaw options. All three of those southpaws have had issues with commanding the strike zone, though, and none can match Puk’s overall ceiling as a game-changing relief weapon. Taking a broader look, Oakland has seen closer Blake Treinen follow up a dominant 2018 campaign with a dismal 2019 showing. Fellow righty Lou Trivino has taken similar steps backward, leaving the A’s with a bullpen that’s been weaker than they anticipated.

By promoting Puk now, the A’s will be positioning themselves to control him through 2025 season, although future optional assignments to the minors could yet impact that timeline. If he’s in the big leagues from Tuesday through season’s end, he’ll accrue 41 days of big league service, though, meaning in order to push his path to free agency back until the 2026-27 offseason, the A’s would need to keep him in Triple-A for nearly two months next season. In other words, this appears quite likely to be a chance for Puk to cement himself as a big leaguer and leave the minor leagues behind. If he is indeed in the Majors for good, he wouldn’t be eligible for arbitration until after the 2022 season.

Share 0 Retweet 20 Send via email0

A.J. Puk Newsstand Oakland Athletics Top Prospect Promotions Transactions

Diamondbacks Sign Michael Tonkin
Main
MLBTR Chat Transcript
68 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. baseballcrazy

    2 years ago

    A’s Triple A team isn’t in Sacramento

    3 Like
    Reply
    • 5TUNT1N

      2 years ago

      Beat me to it… indeed it transitioned to the sf giants AAA about 3-4 years ago.

      Like
      Reply
    • PapiElf

      2 years ago

      Yeah, this isn’t 2013. The Triple-A team plays in Las Vegas.

      Like
      Reply
      • Laibax

        2 years ago

        I wish it still was I’d go to every game

        Like
        Reply
        • HalosHeavenJJ

          2 years ago

          that is a really nice ballpark. Spent many a summer evening at Raley Field when I lived in Sacramento.

          Like
          Reply
    • Steve Adams

      2 years ago

      Whoops — had just been reading something on Jaylin Davis and had Sacramento on the brain, clearly. Thanks for that. It’s been fixed.

      Like
      Reply
      • arc89

        2 years ago

        Sacramento wishes they still had the A’s to see a winning AAA team.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • wiggysf

          2 years ago

          I mean the river cats are currently 65-58 and are in first place in the division, so might want to rethink that statement.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • gmenfan

          2 years ago

          Eh, let’s not allow facts to get in the way of your cool story.

          Like
          Reply
        • arc89

          2 years ago

          When you are in a very bad division that is nothing to brag about. i know for the last few years many in Sacramento complained about how bad the team has been.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Gobbysteiner

          2 years ago

          L. This isn’t 2014 anymore, the giants farm is nowhere near as bad as it once was.

          Like
          Reply
  2. statman

    2 years ago

    exciting news for a’s fans … both of them!

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Laibax

      2 years ago

      I’m one of them!!!!

      Like
      Reply
    • bowserhound

      2 years ago

      I must be other? Both of us would like to meet you in the coliseum parking lot.

      8 Like
      Reply
    • OaklandFan22

      2 years ago

      I’m another!

      Like
      Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        2 years ago

        Omg there’s 4 of us!

        Like
        Reply
        • notHaloShane

          2 years ago

          I’m not. I’m an Angels fan, lets leave the parking lot stuff to those other nearby teams ;)

          Like
          Reply
        • notHaloShane

          2 years ago

          Unless you mean, let’s meet in the parking lot for a beer before the game, I’m up for that.

          Like
          Reply
    • erauber

      2 years ago

      Your stat seems to be incorrect

      Like
      Reply
    • sacball

      2 years ago

      your joke is old and tired now

      2 Like
      Reply
  3. Gobbysteiner

    2 years ago

    Sacramento is the rivercats, the giants triple A affiliate. Speaking of the rivercats they NEED to promote jaylin Davis. Dude is going absolutely bonkers at Sacramento.

    Like
    Reply
    • wiggysf

      2 years ago

      Only problem is that all four of the outfielders currently on the Giants’ 25-man are currently doing pretty well. I could see bringing him up as a fifth outfielder but that would limit his playing time significantly.

      Like
      Reply
      • gmenfan

        2 years ago

        Not sure that Dickerson is 100% back from his time on the IL. Still looks off.

        Like
        Reply
      • Gobbysteiner

        2 years ago

        What I think that they should do is start playing slates in the infield more, start to make him into a super utility guy. That would let them option Avelino and open up a pure OF spot for Davis.

        Like
        Reply
  4. astick

    2 years ago

    Think this guy will be great. Maybe best. Lol. Think he will start or reilieve? Prbably both. Not. lol. Can’t waitt 20 strike outs. Letttttsssss go!

    Like
    Reply
    • andyg37

      2 years ago

      This comment is a wild ride.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • gmenfan

      2 years ago

      Drugs err bad, m’kay.

      Like
      Reply
  5. CCCTL

    2 years ago

    Although the A’s bullpen may be “weaker than they anticipated”, it still ranks 4th in FWAR.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Joseph Fortner

      2 years ago

      20+ blown saves though. Among the worst in baseball.

      Like
      Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        2 years ago

        Closers don’t come out of nowhere, unfortunately. Or if they do it takes them a while to come out of nowhere.

        Like
        Reply
        • gmenfan

          2 years ago

          ^Yogi Berra

          Like
          Reply
        • macstruts

          2 years ago

          They kinda do, that’s the problem with closers. If they didn’t come out of nowhere, fantasy league players wouldn’t be trying to find the right one every March only to end up being wrong more than half the time every Aug.

          Like
          Reply
        • Ronk325

          2 years ago

          I always wait on closers and this year wound up with Kirby Yates and Will Smith so I’m pretty happy

          Like
          Reply
  6. unpaidobserver

    2 years ago

    Crazy to say but an ERA under 5 in the PCL is actually good…

    3 Like
    Reply
    • sacball

      2 years ago

      if his ERA would be on an east coast team, it would be called “sparkling…unhittable..”

      Like
      Reply
    • hzt502

      2 years ago

      Apparently only 11 of the 25 1/3 innings were in the PCL but to your point…. he actually has 4.91 era with las vegas

      Like
      Reply
  7. andrew farelli

    2 years ago

    Puk will probably be sent back down to stretch out and start in 2020.

    Like
    Reply
    • OaklandFan22

      2 years ago

      They’ll stretch him out in the offseason and spring training to be ready to start next year. We just need him in the pen at the moment.

      6 Like
      Reply
  8. Asfan0780

    2 years ago

    The cavalry is on its way boys, these young guns couldve easily been up in 2018 if not for injuries. Puk, then luzardo and manaea with in 2 weeks, maybe montas by end of season. Please no more setbacks. Now just get a hot bat in AAA like neuse or seth brown so they can give khris davis some time to heal up on IL

    1 Like
    Reply
  9. Scrap1ron

    2 years ago

    Now that Puk has gotten his Tommy John out of the way he can get on with his career. He should be a good one.

    Like
    Reply
    • Ruben_Tomorrow

      2 years ago

      Yeah, because it’s not like anyone has ever had that injury a second or even a third time in their careers.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Cam

      2 years ago

      That’s like saying it’s good to get that first car crash out of the way, because it’s smooth driving from here on.

      1 Like
      Reply
  10. PhilsPhan

    2 years ago

    I’m so glad the Phillies drafter Moniak instead of Puk that year
    -__-

    Like
    Reply
    • PhilsPhan

      2 years ago

      /s

      Like
      Reply
    • astick

      2 years ago

      They drafted Monisck number 1 overall. Ok? Whats youre poinT? They don’t know. Props for trying on a stud. Come on man !

      Like
      Reply
      • 24TheKid

        2 years ago

        His point is that he would have rather seen the Phillies draft Puk than Moniak.

        Like
        Reply
        • astick

          2 years ago

          I whatever. Why not just say so. I not s minder eader. Otherwise won’t take this job lol.

          Like
          Reply
        • PhilsPhan

          2 years ago

          Thank you 24. Yes, I was mocking the Phillies for messing up practically every first round pick for the past 17 years.

          Like
          Reply
    • Ronk325

      2 years ago

      Nick Senzel and Ian Anderson went 2 and 3 after Moniak in that draft as well. The Phillies really screwed that pick up

      Like
      Reply
      • PhilsPhan

        2 years ago

        They screw up every pick. If you look at the last 17 years, The Phillies have selected TWO players with their first pick that ended up making an impact at the major league level- Hamels and Nola. You could argue for d’Arnaud and Crawford, but I wouldn’t consider them “impactful”. 2 for 17 is a joke. They really need to take a long hard look at their scouting department

        Like
        Reply
        • PhilsPhan

          2 years ago

          *screw every first round pick up

          Like
          Reply
        • Ronk325

          2 years ago

          Bohm looks like a pretty good pick from last year’s draft but time will tell if he can produce in the big leagues. I get what you’re saying though. It’s pretty weird to see a team that was rebuilding for so long be predominantly comprised of players from outside their organization

          Like
          Reply
        • PhilsPhan

          2 years ago

          Yeah Bohm looks really promising. I definitely am excited to see him develop.

          Like
          Reply
  11. Eightball611

    2 years ago

    Already 24 with an era like that in the minors!!! He will be a busta

    Like
    Reply
    • athleticsnchill

      2 years ago

      Okay magic 8 ball.

      Like
      Reply
    • sacball

      2 years ago

      after missing a year and a half with TJS, and in the most extreme hitters park…try again troll

      Like
      Reply
  12. baseballhobo

    2 years ago

    His K’s per 9 has averaged between 11 and 14. He may end up as a bullpen dude long term.

    Like
    Reply
  13. HalosHeavenJJ

    2 years ago

    great addition down the stretch. And I like guys getting their feet wet at the MLB level before getting fully promoted.

    I love the old school feel of the A’s spring training facility and hit a game there every year. There’s some legitimate talent on the way.

    Like
    Reply
  14. bravesiowafan

    2 years ago

    Cedar Rapids iowa natives go get it puk!!!!

    Like
    Reply
  15. Polish Hammer

    2 years ago

    What the Puk?!

    Like
    Reply
  16. ChapmansVacuum

    2 years ago

    He was throwing a new two seamer in spring training just before his elbow blew out, not sure if its back, but it was a good looking compliment to his four seam.

    Like
    Reply
  17. CCCTL

    2 years ago

    Wang optioned to Las Vegas, Dustin Garneau clears waivers and assigned to Las Vegas as well.

    Like
    Reply
  18. nentwigs

    2 years ago

    Athletics get PUK in time for Hockey season !!

    Like
    Reply
  19. jorge78

    2 years ago

    He needs to add body to his hair…..

    Like
    Reply
  20. Dorothy_Mantooth

    2 years ago

    If all these young pitchers return to full health, the A’s become LEGITMATE World Series candidates in 2020 and beyond. Hopefully the owner will open up the budget a little more next year to re-sign some of their players close to walking (like Siemien) and improves the bullpen a bit too. But they will be right there in October if these pitches are healthy!

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Strike Four

      2 years ago

      They won’t – they already have stockpiled tons of high ceiling MI and their owners are the cheapest in the land. If they win a title without paying anyone, its thoroughly undeserved.

      Like
      Reply
  21. Ichiro51

    2 years ago

    Another reliever named A.J Puk. or was the other guy named different? I am sure they have the same last name. Remember him? Used to pitch for Seattle as a reliever

    Like
    Reply
  22. Strike Four

    2 years ago

    Kershaw + Sale + Thor = AJ Puk.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Cody Bellinger Has Hairline Fracture In Left Leg

    2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings

    MLB To Experiment With New DH Rule, Mound Distance During 2021 Atlantic League Season

    Astros, Martin Maldonado Finalizing One-Year Extension

    James Paxton To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

    2021 Trade Deadline Will Be July 30

    Diamondbacks Sign Josh Reddick To Minor League Deal

    Jonathan Hernandez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

    Dexter Fowler To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

    MLB Inspecting “Suspicious Baseballs” From Trevor Bauer’s Latest Start

    Recent

    Latest On Tyler Flowers, Braves

    Gary Sanchez Leaves Yankees’ Game After Being Struck By Foul Tip

    Mets Activate J.D. Davis From Injured List

    Braves Make Series Of Roster Moves

    Cubs Reinstate Brandon Workman, Dan Winkler; Reassign Pedro Strop

    Reds Activate Sonny Gray From Injured List

    Diamondbacks Acquire Nick Heath

    Cody Bellinger Has Hairline Fracture In Left Leg

    NL Injury Notes: Yelich, Cardinals, Inciarte, Lester

    AL Injury Notes: Lewis, Buxton, Rangers

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Francisco Lindor Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version