After the Athletics drafted him 73rd in the 2024 MLB draft, Gage Jump has given hope to the organization. Following a successful 2021 high school season in which he committed to UCLA, the Padres drafted him in the 18th round. Despite the Major League offer, Jump continued to UCLA, pitching in 7 games in 2022 before requiring Tommy John surgery. This led him to transfer to Louisiana State for the 2024 season, where he posted a 3.47 ERA over 17 games, striking out 101 batters in just 83 innings. This success led the Athletics to draft him with their Competitive Balance Round B pick in 2024. While being smaller than a typical starting pitcher at just 6 feet tall, the now Athletics prospect has a deceptive arm angle to throw off hitters.
Athletics Prospect to Lead Rotation One Day
Athletics Rotation in Turmoil
Coming off a 69-93 record in 2024 and stocked with prospects, the Athletics looked to free agency for starting pitching. This includes a franchise record 3-year, $67 million deal with Luis Severino and trading for Jeffery Springs. While Severino started well with a 3.30 ERA through April, the same cannot be said for the rotation. While Severino has been their ace, he currently has a 4.54 ERA, leading the team, with Springs behind him at 4.66. The rest of the rotation, however, is all above a 5 ERA, with two being above a 6.10 ERA. This gives the team an overall rotation ERA of 5.84, almost half a run more than the Rockies at 5.39. As a result, the Athletics have currently won only 1 of their last 21 games, giving up 8.10 runs per game during that stretch.
Potential Help on the Way
So far in the 2025 season, Gage Jump has posted a 1.61 ERA in 10 games over two levels. This includes a 0.72 ERA in 4 starts at the Double-A level, striking out 29 batters over 25 innings. With his 4-pitch arsenal, including a mid-90s fastball, upper-70s curveball, and a slider and changeup to back it up. These pitches have limited batters to a .182 average so far, only giving up 2 home runs and walking 10. At the Double-A level, Jump has managed to strike out at least 6 batters in every start, not giving up more than 5 hits in any of those starts.
Gage Jump, last seven starts…
44.2 IP, 0.60 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 3.2% BB, 36.3% K#Athletics pic.twitter.com/h17ClyNHRe
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) June 1, 2025
Unfortunately, Jump is not expected to debut until 2027 at the moment, but if he continues this success, it could be much sooner than that. While the current rotation is nothing to be excited about, if his path stays true, Gage Jump could lead their rotation when he debuts.
Main Photo Credits: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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