One of the biggest competitions within camp for the A’s this spring has been the battle to make the starting rotation. With A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker missing the beginning of the season recovering from Tommy John Surgery, there are three spots to fill. Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir are the only two starting pitchers locked in.
It has been a good spring for the candidates, which will make Bob Melvin’s final decision a difficult one. Here’s a look at how the A’s pitchers have performed thus far this spring.
Sonny Gray
Gray was named the A’s Opening Day starter for the second year in a row, taking some pressure off this spring. He’s made four starts, pitching 14.1 innings, allowing 23 hits and 12 earned runs for an ERA of 7.53 this spring.
Scott Kazmir
The 2014 All Star has pitched 6.2 innings this spring and has allowed only one earned run for a 1.35 ERA.
Kendall Graveman
Graveman appears to be a lock to make the rotation this season behind a great spring performance. In four starts, he’s pitched 15 innings allowing only seven hits and one earned run for a 0.60 ERA.
Drew Pomeranz
Pomeranz was a member of the rotation last season, and was doing extremely well, until he broke his hand out of frustration after an off start. He missed a lot of time, but was valuable down the stretch out of the bullpen. This year he looks to get back in the rotation. So far this spring he’s pitched 11.2 innings over four games, allowing four earned runs for a 3.09 ERA.
Barry Zito
Zito makes for an interesting case. His attempted comeback may not get him a spot with the A’s, but after his performance this month, other teams may show interest, if he doesn’t make Oakland’s roster. In 15.2 innings, Zito has allowed four earned runs and only seven hits for a 2.30 ERA.
Jesse Hahn
Hahn has started three games this spring, but has appeared in four total. In those appearances, he's allowed five earned runs in 12.1 innings for a 3.65 ERA.
Jesse Chavez
Chavez was a big part of the A’s early season success last year, but was sent to the bullpen with the acquisition of Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. He’s proven to be a factor in the rotation and is aiming toward another starting role. This spring Chavez has pitched 12.1 innings, and has allowed six earned runs for a 4.38 ERA.
The competition is really starting to heat up as the season kicks off in less than two weeks. Melvin and company will have their hands full when making a decision on the final pitching staff for 2015. With Griffin and Parker both expected to be back at sometime this season, they may opt to keep the younger guys and let Zito walk, but the veteran has been doing well in his spring training appearances. The front-runners to fill the final three spots look to be Graveman, Pomeranz, and Chavez, but Zito is definitely a solid option.
Either way, with a one-two punch of Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir, the A’s are sure to have a decent rotation yet again in 2015.