Health Could Make All The Difference For Athletics’ J.T. Ginn
Once upon a time, righthander J.T. Ginn had first-round talent. Then came the onslaught of injuries.
Now, Ginn is back and showing what might have been and what he still might become. The 24-year-old is healthy and has significantly improved the quality of his pitches.
“It’s just a matter of health and maturity,” Athletics farm director Ed Sprague said. “He’s simplified his delivery, tweaked his slider grip. This goes with a plus changeup and a fastball at 95-96 (mph), and he’s throwing strikes.”
Ginn is projected to start the season at Double-A Midland, but it has been a long ride from his days as a high school phenom in Mississippi. The Dodgers drafted him 30th overall out of Brandon High in 2018, but he didn’t sign.
Ginn attended Mississippi State and immediately put on a show, going 8-4, 3.13 in 17 starts to win Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in 2019.
He pitched in only one game as a sophomore before having Tommy John surgery, but the Mets still drafted him in the second round of the five-round 2020 draft. He returned ahead of schedule in 2021 and logged a 3.33 ERA in 92 innings.
Midway through 2022 spring training, the Mets traded Ginn to the A’s as part of the Chris Bassitt deal, and he was forced to do a quick move to a new coast. A forearm injury limited him to just 42.1 innings in 2022, then a bout with biceps tendinitis held him to 26.2 last year.
Approaching his 25th birthday, Ginn appears back on track to the majors.
“He looks focused. He’s got a smile on his face, and he looks like he enjoys being out there,” Sprague said. “He’s had a lot on his mind with the injuries. He’s in a better spot now.”
A’s ACORNS
— Righthander Gunnar Hoglund, another pitcher who has been sidetracked by injuries, showed improved velocity in camp by hitting 95 mph. Like Ginn, he was an SEC product who had Tommy John surgery in his draft year. Drafted by the Blue Jays 19th overall in 2021, Hoglund was traded to the A’s in the Matt Chapman deal.
— Shortstop Jacob Wilson put on a show at big league camp, collecting seven hits in his first 16 at-bats. The A’s have been working to make Wilson more selective in choosing his pitch to hit. They said he seems to be learning quickly.
