Jefferies making his case to be fifth starter
MESA, ARIZ. >> The A’s took an easy 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on an unseasonably cool, cloudy day in Arizona on Tuesday. For Oakland, a few pieces came back together and the pitching staff looked particularly effective against the Rockies’ presumed A-team.
Here are some takeaways from the game. JEFFERIES: THE FIFTH STARTER? >> The A’s 25-yearold prospect may emerge from spring as the best candidate to fill in the fifth starter spot when the season begins. His four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts was just the cherry on top of a consistent spring for Jefferies. He threw the kitchen sink at the Rockies, including a nice cutter with his fastball going hard in and his slider and a curveball going soft out against hitters.
“I think this is the best we’ve seen him probably,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Great command, the command that he’s probably had all along that we haven’t seen as much of yet. But it all came together for him.”
For a pitcher who’s struggled with injury, consistency is the key to unlocking his next step forward.
“Getting into the big leagues is hard,” Jefferies said after his outing on Tuesday. “But staying in is harder.”
The former Cal ace had a rocky debut last year, lasting just two innings and allowing five runs on five hits — two of those home runs—in a September start against the Rangers. But there may be clearer landing space this year. With Mike Fiers out with a back and hip injury, throwing from flat ground only so far. The last spot in the rotation looks like it’ll come down to Jefferies, A.J. Puk or Cole Irvin.
“Nothing’s been decided yet, and the great thing is guys are pitching well and responding well with pressure on themselves,” Mel- vin said.
Opening week is looming, and Puk may need more time to settle in before he can be slotted into the rotation. Irvin is still very much in the conversation — the 27-year-old has given up two runs in 12 innings over four games. But Jefferies’ offspeed is working wonders against hitters this spring. Jefferies has 20 strikeouts over 13 innings. He’s also allowed just two runs and walked three batters.
An eye-popping strikeout-to-walk ratio was a staple of Jefferies’ 2019 season, where he walked eight total batters and struck out 93 over 79 innings between High-A and Double-A.
Jefferies says the open rotation spot isn’t much on his mind. For now, he can control his confidence. He gave up a leadoff triple on Tuesday, which would make him tense up in past years. Instead, he struck out three inarow.
“I want them to know what they’re going to get every time I take the rubber,” Jefferies said. “I’ve done a pretty good job of that. I’m pretty proud of myself for that.”
LAUREANO RETURNS >> Ramon Laureano missed a handful of games with left side soreness. An MRI revealed no serious damage, and Laureano returned to the lineup on Tuesday looking like his normal self, going 1 for 3 with a double.
Laureano said he felt “good, better than I expected.” Laureano said he was taking batting practice and felt a little “thing” in his side on the final swing.
He took one at-bat before his return, and just wanted to see how he felt hitting the ball. Despite some lost at-bats, Laureano said he feels ready to go today.
“The real test came today,” he said. “When the adrenaline kicks in, it’s a little different.” ROSENTHAL PITCHES AGAIN >> Melvin has been clear that the A’s aren’t intent on getting closer Trevor Rosenthal a ton of work this spring. A groin injury sidelined him for half of camp, and the 30-yearold pitched his second inning of the Cactus League on Tuesday: a clean, one strikeout inning with some help from Matt Olson, who snared a line drive that doubled off the man at first. Rosenthal’s fastball sat 95-97 mph and he threw a good amount of breaking balls early in the inning, an objective for him this camp.
ROMO’S WIFE HAS COUPLE’S THIRD CHILD >> Sergio Romo hasn’t pitched in a few days. He has a good excuse: His wife, Chelsea, gave birth to the couple’s third child. He’s expected to rejoin the team on Wednesday.