Athletics’ Jack Perkins Shines In New Role In AFL
When righthander Jack Perkins reported to the Arizona Fall League, he took steps in a new direction.
The 24-year-old had been used mostly a starter in his pro career, but now he was trying his hand at relieving—and he really responded to the challenge.
Perkins did not allow an earned run in his 10 AFL appearances and 12.1 innings of relief.
“He just continues to get better,” Athletics pitching coordinator Gil Patterson said. “If one thing has grown, it is from the mental side, and that can be his best asset.”
Perkins embraced his reliever role and turned it to his advantage. “He told me that he still wanted to use all his pitches, even out of the bullpen,” Patterson said, “and he did.”
Perkins throws four pitches—a mid-90s fastball, a circle changeup, a cutter and . . . a new wrinkle.
“The analytics department wanted him to get more sweep on his slider, and he has been working on that,” Patterson said.
The 6-foot-1 Perkins has also been finding the grip on his change and cultivating some two-seam movement on his fastball as he has shown distinct improvement.
The A’s drafted Perkins in the fourth round in 2022 out of Indiana. He had a long road getting there.
After an outstanding prep career in Kokomo, Ind., Perkins was an unsigned 39th-round pick of the Braves in 2018. He headed to campus at Louisville, and after a solid freshman year in 2019, he had elbow surgery and sat out a season before returning in 2021, when he worked mostly in relief.
He then transferred to Indiana, where he began as the No. 2 starter before taking over the Friday night job for his third start.
The A’s are excited by what Perkins displayed. In 2023 he recorded a 4.10 ERA in 107.2 innings, the final 54 at Double-A Midland. He struck out 93 and walked 47.
Patterson said Perkins is at the top of the list on work ethic and other evaluations.
Patterson said the plan is to continue developing Perkins as a starter, though his success in the pen has given him another potential path to the majors.
A’s ACORNS
— Perkins is among 13 Athletics prospects who received non-roster invitations to major league spring training. The list also includes reliever Stevie Emanuels, who put together a big year that concluded in the Arizona Fall League. Also coming are Oakland first-round picks Max Muncy, Daniel Susac and Jacob Wilson.
— Nine minor league free agent signees received invitations to big league spring training. Pitchers Vinny Nittoli and outfielders Daz Cameron and Hoy Jun Park have played in the majors. Also coming are third baseman Armando Alvarez, first baseman Drew Lugbauer, outfielder Jeisson Rosario and pitchers Tyler Ferguson, Jack O’Loughlin and Domingo Robles.
