BREAKING NEWS: Two Athletics top prospects set to pitch in the spring training opener on Saturday
Joe Boyle and Joey Estes are slated to pitch in the Athletics’ spring training opener against the Rockies on Saturday. The Oakland Athletics had their first full-team practice in Arizona recently, offering a positive atmosphere amidst concerns about the team’s relocation efforts. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reported that Boyle and Estes are part of the pitching plans for the opener.
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Regarding the starting rotation, four spots are secured for opening day with Paul Blackburn, JP Sears, Alex Wood, and Ross Stripling set to fill them. The fifth spot is up for grabs, presenting an intriguing competition during spring training. Luis Medina appears to be the frontrunner due to his lack of minor league options, while Boyle and Estes are also contenders based on their prospect status and performances in 2023.
Top 10 SP in Triple-A by Stuff+ (updated), min 3 starts, 45p/app:
1) Tyler Glasnow
2) Joe Boyle
3) Bobby Miller
4) Tanner Bibee
5) Ben Brown
6) Triston McKenzie
7) Reese Olson
8) Connor Phillips
9) Grayson Rodriguez
10) Ryan Pepiot(Boyle, Brown, Phillips = 92 Location+)
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) February 19, 2024
According to Eno Sarris of The Athletic, Joe Boyle ranked second among Triple-A starting pitchers in Stuff+ in 2023, indicating his impressive pitching repertoire. Despite his potential, Boyle has struggled with control issues in the past, although he showed improvement after joining the A’s, demonstrating better command during his major league starts.
Estes, while lacking the same level of prospect hype as Boyle, has shown promise in the Athletics’ minor league system. Although he had a rough stint in Triple-A and struggled in his brief appearances in the majors, Estes possesses a solid pitch arsenal that could translate to success at the highest level if he can command his fastball effectively.
While both Boyle and Estes face slim odds of making the opening day roster, they remain hopeful of earning opportunities early in the season to showcase their abilities at the major league level.