The Athletics will promote Gunnar Hoglund from Triple-A Las Vegas, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The right-hander has impressed in the minors this season, posting a 2.43 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and just seven walks over 29 2/3 innings. His performance earned him a call-up to help an A’s rotation that owns a 4.66 ERA. Hoglund is expected to make his MLB debut Sunday against the Miami Marlins.
The A’s are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Gunnar Hoglund, sources tell ESPN. Twice a first-round pick, Hoglund is now the team’s No. 2 prospect, per @kileymcd, and joins an A’s squad that is 16-15 and more than holding its own in the wide-open American League West.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 1, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Hoglund in the first round in 2021. He joined the Athletics as the key return in the trade that sent Matt Chapman to Toronto. Tommy John surgery delayed his path to the majors, but he finished a full minor league season in 2024. He regained strength and consistency with his arm in 2023, though he posted a 6.05 ERA over 61 innings, putting his future in doubt.
Gunnar Hoglund to Join Athletics Rotation After Dominant Triple-A Run
In 2024, Hoglund broke through. He began the year with Double-A Midland, where he recorded a 2.84 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 97 strikeouts, and 27 walks over 104 2/3 innings. That performance earned him a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas for his final five starts.
“Hoglund’s stuff amplified dramatically in 2024,” said A’s assistant general manager and director of personnel, Billy Owens. “Couple that with his poise, instincts, strike-throwing ability, repertoire and creativity, Gunnar’s trajectory is geared toward a 2025 Major League debut.”
Athletics Rotation in Flux Ahead of Hoglund’s Debut
The Athletics have operated with a four-man rotation in recent weeks. The Athletics optioned Joey Estes to Triple-A after two rough outings to start his season. They placed J.T. Ginn on the injured list more than a week ago due to elbow inflammation. Jacob Lopez started Tuesday’s game against the Texas Rangers but gave up three runs and three walks in 2 2/3 innings before being optioned.
Hoglund will slot into the rotation alongside Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, JP Sears and Osvaldo Bido. Severino, Sears and Bido have all delivered solid or better results. Springs started well but has struggled lately, allowing nine earned runs over his past 8 1/3 innings and pushing his ERA to 6.04.
Adding a consistent fifth starter could ease the pressure on the bullpen, which currently owns the sixth-worst opposing batting average of .261.
Main Photo: © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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