MLB news roundup
Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!
A’s closer extraordinaire Mason Miller pulled a Luzardo of sorts, breaking his left pinky by pounding a padded table in a moment of frustration after Monday’s game against the Astros. It may seem like a careless mistake on Miller’s part, but Melissa Lockard correctly pointed out that this, like everything else, is actually John Fisher’s fault.
John Fisher is the Babe Ruth contract sale, Billy goat, dehydrated monkey paw of baseball owners. There is no other explanation for this level of cursed. https://t.co/SPypS9MmNa
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) July 25, 2024
AN’s Connor Ashford has details on Miller’s status and the return of starting pitcher Ross Stripling in yesterday’s roster swap. Stripling got right to work for the A’s, starting yesterday’s series opener in Anaheim against the Angels. He didn’t throw a lot of strikes, but managed to get through 5 ⅔ innings despite allowing five runs in the second.
Garrett Spain dropped two more great pieces on AN yesterday. His latest minor league and prospects update goes deep on how the youngsters are faring across the A’s minor league affiliates, highlighted by Denzel Clarke and lowlighted by Joe Boyle.
The A’s have been busy signing their latest draftees to shore up their farm system, with 20 picks now under contract.
We have agreed to terms with 20 of our 21 selections from the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, including each of our first 20 picks:
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 25, 2024
Nick Kurtz (1st round)
Tommy White (2nd round)
Gage Jump (Competitive Balance Round-B)
Josh Kuroda-Grauer (3rd round)
Rodney Green (4th round)
Sam… https://t.co/gXOzRu2Qem
Garrett has you covered on this story as well with highlights and analysis on this newly secured draft class. One of them—first baseman and first round pick Nick Kurtz—made the latest top 60 prospect rankings from Keith Law at The Athletic. Guess who didn’t.
Paul Blackburn is slated to return to the mound tonight in Anaheim! Have a wonderful weekend, AN.
Roster moves.
MID RHP Joelvis Del Rosario released, RHP Richard Fernandez off ACL A’s IL, ACL A’s RHPs Franyelson Rodriguez, Jesus Silverio & Jose Gonzalez released, RHP Jake Walkinshaw off MID IL, RHP Luis Carrasco to LAN IL, OF Joseph Rodriguez/RHP Norge Vera to STK…https://t.co/joKXkyUAPy
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) July 25, 2024
These stats are...delicious!
The A’s are batting .280 (172-for-614) including a major-league leading .356 (53-for-149) with RISP this month … lead the majors in OPS (.866), batting, slugging (.516) and runs (123) in July.
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) July 25, 2024
Truly, ‘nuff said.
Lawrence. Butler.
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) July 26, 2024
Double dingers for Bowman.
A’s Prospect of the Day is 2B Cooper Bowman who hit 2 HRs for @RockHounds on Wednesday…https://t.co/g0CAtrukEa pic.twitter.com/NdIhnbCPlC
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) July 25, 2024