Elephant Rumblings: Perkins solid in MLB debut

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

As Nico mentioned over the weekend, the A’s defense has realized a good deal of improvement lately with the addition of Denzel Clarke and Nick Kurtz to the big league lineup. Max Muncy looks sharp at third, too, though he will have a higher bar to clear at the plate than Clarke, who looks so good in center field that he might stick around even if he can’t figure out how to hit much in MLB.

The A’s have a lot of weapons on offense now, too. So The Blogfather is on point in saying that the team’s improvement is all about the pitching at this point. Thankfully, we’ve seen some improvements in that area as well—and some promising newcomers may further help matters.

Yesterday marked the big league debut of No. 9 prospect Jack Perkins, and the results were encouraging. The 25-year-old forced his way up with a very impressive stretch with the Aviators in Triple-A, earning PCL Pitcher of the Week honors twice in a row this month. Perkins went three scoreless in yesterday’s loss to the Guardians, allowing just one hit and striking out two without issuing a walk. That’s a perky debut!

Perkins looks like a solid option for long relief going forward and could potentially work his way into the starting rotation. This is a positive development on the heels of the recent emergence of Jacob Lopez, who has made two quality starts in a row, allowed just two runs through his last 16 innings pitched, and struck out an impressive 49 batters through 36 innings with the A’s this season.

Further reinforcements could be coming, as well. Yesterday, Ken Waldichuk made his first rehab start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.

The A’s pitchers will need to bring their best as the team heads out for another tough road trip tomorrow, with series against the Tigers, Yankees, and Rays ahead.

Have a terrific week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s Drop Series Finale to Guardians 3-0
• A’s Fall to Guardians 4-2
• With Defense Improved, Now It’s All About The Pitching
• Athletics beat the Guardians 5-1
• A’s No. 9 prospect Perkins feels ‘at home’ in impressive MLB debut
• Ken Waldichuk to Make First Rehab Appearance After Surgery
• Lopez earning skipper’s trust with remarkable month in A’s rotation
• Latest Athletics injuries and transactions

MLB News & Interest:

• The board decision that sent the MLB, NFL unions into controversy ($)
• Braves Place Chris Sale On 15-Day IL With Ribcage Fracture
• A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger
• NPB’s Rakuten Eagles Sign Luke Voit
• Padres Activate Jackson Merrill From Concussion IL
• Red Sox Notes: Crawford, Bregman, Second Base
• Mets Option Francisco Alvarez
• Orioles Place Adley Rutschman On 10-Day Injured List
• Yankees Place Ryan Yarbrough On 15-Day Injured List
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

Serious hardware.