IP | 16 |
---|---|
ERA | .56 |
WHIP | .63 |
BB/9 | 1.13 |
SO/9 | 14.63 |
- Full name Andrew Jacob Puk
- Born 04/25/1995 in Minneapolis, MN
- Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 248 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Florida
- Debut 08/21/2019
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Drafted in the 1st round (6th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2016 (signed for $4,069,200).
View Draft Report
The top-ranked player in Florida's top-ranked 2013 recruiting class, Puk has developed into a potential top overall pick in college. As a sophomore, Puk was arrested, charged with third-degree criminal trespass after climbing a crane in a construction site. He was suspended briefly, but broke out upon his return, helping Florida to the College World Series and then pitching for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. A Preseason All-American, Puk was inconsistent at the start of the season and was briefly sidelined by back spasms. But he has since rounded into form and again looks the part of dominant starter. Puk throws his fastball in the mid to upper 90s and thanks to the downhill angle and the excellent extension his 6-foot-7 frame enables him to get, the pitch plays up even further. Puk's slider and changeup both could use further refinement, but both have a chance to develop into average offerings. His slider sits in the mid-80s with horizontal sweeping action, though it can sometimes back up. Puk repeats his arm slot well and gets his torso over his front side consistently. When he stays balanced and online, he is very difficult for hitters to square up, even if they make contact. He throws a lot of strikes, particularly for someone of his size, and can locate his fastball to both sides of the plate. Puk's overall skill set and body of work have positioned him to be the first college pitcher drafted, and he has the potential to become Florida's first ever No. 1 overall pick.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: Puk ranked as the top prospect in the 2016 draft and was the first college pitcher drafted when Oakland selected him sixth overall. He still hasn’t thrown 300 career innings because of a slew of injuries that include both Tommy John surgery and a shoulder surgery. That trend continued in 2021. Puk missed a month early in the season with a left biceps strain and pitched almost primarily in relief upon returning, splitting time between Triple-A Las Vegas and Oakland.
Scouting Report: Puk’s velocity dipped to 92-94 mph and the A’s deployed him cautiously early in the season, avoiding throwing him in back-to-back games out of the bullpen. Puk lowered his arm slot in early June and his fastball velocity crept back up into his accustomed 96-97 mph range. He pitched better from that point onward, and the A’s called up Puk to Oakland to aid their bullpen in mid August. When healthy, Puk’s arsenal still looks potent. The A’s like the extension Puk gets on his fastball and his plus upper-80s slider generated a 46.4% whiff rate in the big leagues. He flashes a plus changeup at 89-91 mph, but struggled to find the feel for it at times out of the bullpen. Oakland believes Puk made subtle improvements to the lower half of his delivery in the second half of 2021.
The Future: Puk will be 27 years old in April and has yet to make a big league start. There are evaluators, both internally and externally, who believe a future as a mid-rotation starter is possible while also acknowledging a high-leverage relief role is a more likely outcome considering his injury history.
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Fastball: 80. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
TRACK RECORD: For all of Puk’s tantalizing ability, he has not been able to stay healthy since the Athletics drafted him sixth overall in 2016. Puk had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2018 season, briefly returned in 2019 and made his major league debut, then missed all of 2020 with a pair of left shoulder strains. He was shut down in September and had shoulder surgery after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Puk showed his upside when the A’s deployed the 6-foot-7 lefty out of their bullpen in 2019 while chasing a playoff spot. His fastball sits 96-100 mph and explodes on hitters with unique angle and impressive extension out of his imposing frame. He pairs it with a vicious upper-80s power slider that dives at the back foot of righthanded hitters, and he’s gaining confidence in his burgeoning changeup. Puk also features a low-80s curveball that flashes average. Even with just fringe-average control, he generates a ton of whiffs—12.9 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors—and uncomfortable at-bats. Health remains Puk’s biggest obstacle. He’s thrown just 194.1 innings combined in five professional seasons.
THE FUTURE: The A’s hope Puk will be ready for spring training following his surgery. Injuries have clouded his future, but his arm is too good to give up on. -
TRACK RECORD: Puk missed the 2018 season after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned in 2019 and showed the same stuff that made him arguably the top player in the 2016 draft class. The Athletics called him up in August after he threw just 25 innings in the minors, and he earned a spot on the American League Wild Card Game roster.
SCOUTING REPORT: Puk returned from surgery with his premium stuff intact, headlined by a 70-grade fastball that tips the scales at 95-99 mph from the left side. Puk's upper-80s slider gives him another plus power offering he can bury in on righthanders and away from lefties, and his changeup continues to progress into a usable, if unspectacular, offering. Puk has never been known for pinpoint location, but makes up for it with an ability to elevate or drive in on both sides of the plate as needed. His sizzling velocity, combined with the natural downhill plane from his 6-foot-7 frame, makes for difficult, uncomfortable at-bats.
THE FUTURE: Puk still needs to build innings and may begin 2020 at Triple-A Las Vegas in order to do so. As long as he stays healthy, he should ascend to Oakland's rotation before long and could emerge as a front-of-the-rotation starter. -
Track Record: The Athletics pounced on Puk--the No. 1 prospect on the BA draft board in 2016--when the Florida lefthander fell to No. 6. Wild in college, he streamlined his delivery in 2017 and led all minor league starters with 13.2 strikeouts per nine innings while advancing to Double-A Midland. Puk pitched well at big league camp in 2018 but tore his ulnar collateral ligament and had Tommy John surgery in April.
Scouting Report: Puk opened spring training with 10 scoreless innings and would have factored in the 2018 rotation had he not injured his elbow and missed the year. He touched 99 mph in Cactus League games and sat in the mid-90s with a double-plus fastball that batters struggle to square up. He has surrendered just three home runs in 158 pro innings because of the extreme downhill plane, incredible extension and unique angle he creates from his 6-foot-7 frame. Puk throws a vicious mid-80s slider with lateral movement that draws plus-plus grades from some scouts. He has gained confidence with his changeup since turning pro and sells the pitch with improved arm action and deception to the point where it flashes fringe-average. He should be able to develop average major league control.
The Future: Puk generates swings and misses with all three of his pitches and profiles as a No. 2 starter, assuming he makes a full recovery from surgery. He and Jesus Luzardo could team to give Oakland a lethal one-two punch at the top of its rotation. -
The lefthanded Puk, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, struck out 251 hitters over 194 innings in his three seasons at Florida. As a junior, he held hitters to a .191 average. All that prompted the A's to take him with the sixth overall pick in 2016 and sign him for a $4.07 million bonus. Puk blossomed in 2017. In a combined 125 innings at high Class A Stockton and Double-A Midland, Puk racked up 184 punchouts and led all minor league starters with 13.2 strikeouts per nine. He gave up only three homers in those 125 innings after not allowing any with in his pro debut at short-season Vermont in 2016. Over his final seven starts with Midland (including one in the postseason), Puk struck out 61 hitters in 39.2 innings while amassing a 2.72 ERA. Moreover, Puk's walk rate in his junior year with the Gators was 4.6 per-nine innings. Puk's raw stuff has never been in question as elite. His fastball resides comfortably at 93-96 and can reach 98 mph. His vicious side-to-side slider grades easily as plus and his changeup has developed into an potentially above-average pitch. Control has long been an issue, but Athletics minor league pitching instructor Gil Patterson helped Puk streamline his delivery, focusing mainly on his front leg. The altered motion produced a more consistent release point. With his height, Puk gets a pronounced downward angle in his delivery, which can make him both effective and intimidating. He gets a high percentage of swings and misses with all of his pitches. His stuff, competitiveness and pitching sense are all assets. So is his receptiveness to coaching. Over the past two years, the A's have arranged to have Randy Johnson and Al Leiter--two elite lefthanders in their day--give Puk advice. Barring an offseason deal, the A's will have at least two, and perhaps three, spots open in their rotation in 2018. Puk has a shot at nailing down one of those by the end of the season. He's still only 22 and has fewer than 160 minor league innings under his belt, so a few months in Triple-A Nashville to begin the season are likely. In any event, Puk projects as a front-of-the-rotation starter as long as he keeps his newfound control intact. If he doesn't, he can serve the club as an elite reliever in the mold of Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman. -
Puk ranked No. 85 on the BA 500 out of an Iowa high school, but the Florida commit wasn't drafted until the 35th round by the Tigers. He ranked second in Division I as a sophomore with 12 strikeouts per nine innings and entered 2016 as the No. 1 prospect for the draft but dropped to the Athletics with the No. 6 pick after an inconsistent spring. Puk's $4,069,200 bonus is the largest for a draft pick in Oakland history. Puk leverages his size to get great extension on all of his pitches. His fastball touched 98 mph in 2016 with great downhill angle. Puk's long levers and relative lack of athleticism make it difficult at times for him to keep his torso over his front side consistently, and his inability to repeat his delivery gives him below-average command. A head-whack finish further complicates his delivery. A's coaches moved him to the first-base side of the rubber to help square him to the plate. Puk threw his changeup more often in his pro debut at short-season Vermont, but his slider lacked the bite and feel of its plus reputation in college. When he throws online to the plate, Puk is difficult to square up and shows a ceiling of a front-end starter, but he must become more efficient with his pitches and more consistent with his command. At worst, he could become a dominating high-leverage reliever.
Draft Prospects
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The top-ranked player in Florida's top-ranked 2013 recruiting class, Puk has developed into a potential top overall pick in college. As a sophomore, Puk was arrested, charged with third-degree criminal trespass after climbing a crane in a construction site. He was suspended briefly, but broke out upon his return, helping Florida to the College World Series and then pitching for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. A Preseason All-American, Puk was inconsistent at the start of the season and was briefly sidelined by back spasms. But he has since rounded into form and again looks the part of dominant starter. Puk throws his fastball in the mid to upper 90s and thanks to the downhill angle and the excellent extension his 6-foot-7 frame enables him to get, the pitch plays up even further. Puk's slider and changeup both could use further refinement, but both have a chance to develop into average offerings. His slider sits in the mid-80s with horizontal sweeping action, though it can sometimes back up. Puk repeats his arm slot well and gets his torso over his front side consistently. When he stays balanced and online, he is very difficult for hitters to square up, even if they make contact. He throws a lot of strikes, particularly for someone of his size, and can locate his fastball to both sides of the plate. Puk's overall skill set and body of work have positioned him to be the first college pitcher drafted, and he has the potential to become Florida's first ever No. 1 overall pick. -
As a big-bodied lefthander who could touch 93 mph, Puk looked like a possible first-round pick at last summer's Area Code Games. He hasn't pitched quite up to that standard during a cold, wet spring in Iowa, topping out at 91 mph and working at 87-89 in a Perfect Game league. His heater features nice sink and generates both swings and misses as well as groundballs. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Puk is growing into this body and learning to repeat his delivery. His repertoire is a work in progress, with his changeup currently ranking ahead of his breaking ball. Though some worry about his athleticism, Puk could develop into a southpaw with a plus fastball and two average secondary offerings. He showed a promising curve at the Area Codes, where he also demonstrated potential as a power-hitting first baseman. If he attends Florida, he could wind up as a two-way star in the mold of Brian Johnson, a first-round choice of the Red Sox last June. Puk could achieve the same draft status once he blossoms, though he projects as a third- to fifth-rounder in 2013--which may not be enough to divert him from the Gators.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A physical lefthander, Puk was the first college pitcher drafted in 2016 and responded by splitting time between high Class A Stockton (61 innings) and Midland (64 innings) in his first full season of pro ball. He ranked third in the minors with 184 strikeouts at the two stops. Using a four-pitch mix headlined by a plus fastball and wipeout slider, Puk struck out 12.1 batters per nine innings to lead all starters who qualified for the TL list. At 6-foot-7, he does a good job of getting extension on all of his pitches, especially his 95-98 mph fastball. While maintaining balance throughout his delivery has been a constant concern, Puk's walk rate stabilized at 3.5 per nine in his full-season debut. Puk shows the pure stuff--including an average changeup and curveball--and enough control to project as a No. 2 or 3 starter. -
Long electric but wild, Puk worked extensively with Stockton pitching coach Steve Connelly this season at staying balanced and on line to the plate in his delivery. The result was vastly improved control, which turned him into a dynamo. Puk blew hitters away with his 94-97 mph fastball that played up with extension out of his 6-foot-7 frame, and he complemented it with a side-to-side mid-80s slider with vicious bite and tilt. He also mixed in a curveball and changeup that flashed average with increased consistency. With that arsenal working, Puk led the minors with 13.2 strikeouts per nine innings and limited opponents to a .227 average across two levels. "Good fastball, was commanding all his stuff, worked top to bottom, and his slider was real effective," Modesto manager Mitch Canham said. "Usually you see a guy like that and it's going to be a tough lefty at-bat, but he was tough for both sides." Puk still struggles controlling his long limbs at times, and the result was a still-too-high walk rate of 3.5 per nine. But the improvements in his delivery and finish have him in better position to eventually get the most out of his elite stuff. -
Puk had a somewhat bizarre spring for the Omaha-bound Florida Gators. In 16 starts, he got just five decisions, going 2-3, 3.05 with 101 strikeouts and 37 walks in 73.2 innings. He didn't make it out of the fifth inning eight times. That limited workload continued with Vermont, where the No. 6 overall pick didn't throw more than 75 pitches in a game. Still, the buzz with Puk has always been more about potential than performance. A 6-foot-7, 220-pound lefthander, Puk throws in the mid- to upper 90s with downhill angle to his fastball. His mid-80s slider is his best secondary offering, but both his slider and changeup remain works in progress. His command is inconsistent, but when he's locating, his stuff makes him tough to square up. With his frame and velocity, Puk has a No. 2 or 3 starter ceiling, and his floor is that of a dominant, late-inning reliever. "It's all projection," said one NYP manager. "His command was very spotty, and we not only hit him but scored runs. He's got a great body, touched 98 (mph). Now you're hoping, with minor league training, the command comes along."
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Fastball in the Oakland Athletics in 2020
- Rated Best Slider in the Oakland Athletics in 2018
Scouting Reports
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Track Record: Puk ranked as the top prospect in the 2016 draft and was the first college pitcher drafted when Oakland selected him sixth overall. He still hasn’t thrown 300 career innings because of a slew of injuries that include both Tommy John surgery and a shoulder surgery. That trend continued in 2021. Puk missed a month early in the season with a left biceps strain and pitched almost primarily in relief upon returning, splitting time between Triple-A Las Vegas and Oakland.
Scouting Report: Puk’s velocity dipped to 92-94 mph and the A’s deployed him cautiously early in the season, avoiding throwing him in back-to-back games out of the bullpen. Puk lowered his arm slot in early June and his fastball velocity crept back up into his accustomed 96-97 mph range. He pitched better from that point onward, and the A’s called up Puk to Oakland to aid their bullpen in mid August. When healthy, Puk’s arsenal still looks potent. The A’s like the extension Puk gets on his fastball and his plus upper-80s slider generated a 46.4% whiff rate in the big leagues. He flashes a plus changeup at 89-91 mph, but struggled to find the feel for it at times out of the bullpen. Oakland believes Puk made subtle improvements to the lower half of his delivery in the second half of 2021.
The Future: Puk will be 27 years old in April and has yet to make a big league start. There are evaluators, both internally and externally, who believe a future as a mid-rotation starter is possible while also acknowledging a high-leverage relief role is a more likely outcome considering his injury history.
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Fastball: 80. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
TRACK RECORD: For all of Puk's tantalizing ability, he has not been able to stay healthy since the Athletics drafted him sixth overall in 2016. Puk had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2018 season, briefly returned in 2019 and made his major league debut, then missed all of 2020 with a pair of left shoulder strains. He was shut down in September and had shoulder surgery after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Puk showed his upside when the A's deployed the 6-foot-7 lefty out of their bullpen in 2019 while chasing a playoff spot. His fastball sits 96-100 mph and explodes on hitters with unique angle and impressive extension out of his imposing frame. He pairs it with a vicious upper-80s power slider that dives at the back foot of righthanded hitters, and he's gaining confidence in his burgeoning changeup. Puk also features a low-80s curveball that flashes average. Even with just fringe-average control, he generates a ton of whiffs—12.9 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors—and uncomfortable at-bats. Health remains Puk's biggest obstacle. He's thrown just 194.1 innings combined in five professional seasons.
THE FUTURE: The A's hope Puk will be ready for spring training following his surgery. Injuries have clouded his future, but his arm is too good to give up on. -
Fastball: 80. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
TRACK RECORD: For all of Puk’s tantalizing ability, he has not been able to stay healthy since the Athletics drafted him sixth overall in 2016. Puk had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2018 season, briefly returned in 2019 and made his major league debut, then missed all of 2020 with a pair of left shoulder strains. He was shut down in September and had shoulder surgery after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Puk showed his upside when the A’s deployed the 6-foot-7 lefty out of their bullpen in 2019 while chasing a playoff spot. His fastball sits 96-100 mph and explodes on hitters with unique angle and impressive extension out of his imposing frame. He pairs it with a vicious upper-80s power slider that dives at the back foot of righthanded hitters, and he’s gaining confidence in his burgeoning changeup. Puk also features a low-80s curveball that flashes average. Even with just fringe-average control, he generates a ton of whiffs—12.9 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors—and uncomfortable at-bats. Health remains Puk’s biggest obstacle. He’s thrown just 194.1 innings combined in five professional seasons.
THE FUTURE: The A’s hope Puk will be ready for spring training following his surgery. Injuries have clouded his future, but his arm is too good to give up on. -
Fastball: 80. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
TRACK RECORD: For all of Puk’s tantalizing ability, he has not been able to stay healthy since the Athletics drafted him sixth overall in 2016. Puk had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2018 season, briefly returned in 2019 and made his major league debut, then missed all of 2020 with a pair of left shoulder strains. He was shut down in September and had shoulder surgery after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Puk showed his upside when the A’s deployed the 6-foot-7 lefty out of their bullpen in 2019 while chasing a playoff spot. His fastball sits 96-100 mph and explodes on hitters with unique angle and impressive extension out of his imposing frame. He pairs it with a vicious upper-80s power slider that dives at the back foot of righthanded hitters, and he’s gaining confidence in his burgeoning changeup. Puk also features a low-80s curveball that flashes average. Even with just fringe-average control, he generates a ton of whiffs—12.9 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors—and uncomfortable at-bats. Health remains Puk’s biggest obstacle. He’s thrown just 194.1 innings combined in five professional seasons.
THE FUTURE: The A’s hope Puk will be ready for spring training following his surgery. Injuries have clouded his future, but his arm is too good to give up on. -
TRACK RECORD: Puk missed the 2018 season after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned in 2019 and showed the same stuff that made him arguably the top player in the 2016 draft class. The Athletics called him up in August after he threw just 25 innings in the minors, and he earned a spot on the American League Wild Card Game roster.
SCOUTING REPORT: Puk returned from surgery with his premium stuff intact, headlined by a 70-grade fastball that tips the scales at 95-99 mph from the left side. Puk’s upper-80s slider gives him another plus power offering he can bury in on righthanders and away from lefties, and his changeup continues to progress into a usable, if unspectacular, offering. Puk has never been known for pinpoint location, but makes up for it with an ability to elevate or drive in on both sides of the plate as needed. His sizzling velocity, combined with the natural downhill plane from his 6-foot-7 frame, makes for difficult, uncomfortable at-bats.
THE FUTURE: Puk still needs to build innings and may begin 2020 at Triple-A Las Vegas in order to do so. As long as he stays healthy, he should ascend to Oakland’s rotation before long and could emerge as a front-of-the-rotation starter. -
TRACK RECORD: Puk missed the 2018 season after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned in 2019 and showed the same stuff that made him arguably the top player in the 2016 draft class. The Athletics called him up in August after he threw just 25 innings in the minors, and he earned a spot on the American League Wild Card Game roster.
SCOUTING REPORT: Puk returned from surgery with his premium stuff intact, headlined by a 70-grade fastball that tips the scales at 95-99 mph from the left side. Puk's upper-80s slider gives him another plus power offering he can bury in on righthanders and away from lefties, and his changeup continues to progress into a usable, if unspectacular, offering. Puk has never been known for pinpoint location, but makes up for it with an ability to elevate or drive in on both sides of the plate as needed. His sizzling velocity, combined with the natural downhill plane from his 6-foot-7 frame, makes for difficult, uncomfortable at-bats.
THE FUTURE: Puk still needs to build innings and may begin 2020 at Triple-A Las Vegas in order to do so. As long as he stays healthy, he should ascend to Oakland's rotation before long and could emerge as a front-of-the-rotation starter. -
The No. 6 overall pick in 2016, Puk stood poised to contribute to the Athletics’ rotation this season until Tommy John surgery felled him during spring training. The 6-foot-7 lefty creates unique plane with his mid-90s fastball that is difficult to square up. When healthy in 2017, he peaked at 98 mph with a swing-and-miss changeup and slider he used to fan a minor league-best 13.2 per nine innings. -
Track Record: Puk, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, struck out 251 hitters in 194 innings in his three seasons at Florida. As a junior, opponents batted .191 against him. All that prompted the Athletics to take him with the sixth overall pick in 2016 and sign him for $4.07 million after he had ranked as the No. 1 prospect on the BA500 predraft ranking. Puk blossomed in 2017. In a combined 125 innings at high Class A Stockton and Double-A Midland, he racked up 184 punchouts and led all minor league starters with 13.2 strikeouts per nine innings. He gave up just three homers in those 125 innings after not allowing any in his pro debut at short-season Vermont in 2016. Over his final seven starts with Midland (including one in the Texas League playoffs), Puk struck out 61 hitters in 39.2 innings with a 2.72 ERA. He improved his control dramatically in pro ball, walking 3.5 per nine in 2017 after walking 4.5 as a Florida junior in 2016. Scouting Report: Puk's raw stuff has never been questioned. His fastball resides comfortably at 93-96 mph and can reach 98. His vicious side-to-side slider grades easily as plus and his changeup has developed into an potentially above-average pitch. Control has long been an issue, but A's minor league pitching instructor Gil Patterson helped Puk streamline his delivery, focusing mainly on his front leg. The altered motion produced a more consistent release point. With his 6-foot-7 height, Puk gets a pronounced downward angle in his delivery, which can make him both effective and intimidating. He gets a high percentage of swings and misses with all of his pitches. His stuff, competitiveness and pitching sense are all assets. So is his receptiveness to coaching. Over the past two years, the A's have arranged to have Randy Johnson and Al Leiter--two elite lefthanders in their day--give Puk advice. The Future: The A's project to have at least two, and perhaps three, rotation spots open in 2018. Puk has a shot at nailing down one of those by the end of the season. He's still just 22 and has fewer than 160 minor league innings under his belt, so a few months at Triple-A Nashville to begin the season is likely. In any event, Puk projects as a front-of-the-rotation starter as long as he keeps his newfound control intact. If he doesn't, he can perhaps serve the club as an elite reliever in the mold of Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman. -
Background: Puk ranked No. 85 on the BA 500 out of an Iowa high school, but the Florida commit wasn't drafted until the 35th round by the Tigers. He ranked second in Division I as a sophomore with 12 strikeouts per nine innings and entered 2016 as the No. 1 prospect for the draft but dropped to the Athletics with the No. 6 pick after an inconsistent spring. Puk's $4,069,200 bonus is the largest for a draft pick in Oakland history. Scouting Report: Puk leverages his size to get great extension on all of his pitches. His fastball touched 98 mph in 2016 with great downhill angle. Puk's long levers and relative lack of athleticism make it difficult at times for him to keep his torso over his front side consistently, and his inability to repeat his delivery gives him below-average command. A head-whack finish further complicates his delivery. A's coaches moved him to the first-base side of the rubber to help square him to the plate. Puk threw his changeup more often in his pro debut at short-season Vermont, but his slider lacked the bite and feel of its plus reputation in college.
The Future: When he throws online to the plate, Puk is difficult to square up and shows a ceiling of a front-end starter, but he must become more efficient with his pitches and more consistent with his command. At worst, he could become a dominating high-leverage reliever.