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Atlanta Braves and Oakland: is there a deal for an outfielder possible?

By Fred Owens

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics hits a double against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Minnesota Twins 3-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics hits a double against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Minnesota Twins 3-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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MESA, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Kyle Finnegan #68 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during photo day at HoHoKam Stadium on February 22, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Kyle Finnegan #68 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during photo day at HoHoKam Stadium on February 22, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Kyle Finnegan

The Athletics selected the righty in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.  Originally a starter, he moved to the bullpen in 2016 and seemed to find a home. In 30 games for AA Midland, he threw 42 innings, struck out 41, walked 20 and finished the season with a 2.14 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.

Finnegan split time between AA and AAA in 2017 and seemed to be adjusting well when the season ended. He started this year in AAA, but injury interceded and he missed a month from mid-May to mid-June.

When he returned he went back to AA and finished the season there, pitching to a 2.16 ERA – 2.53 FIP – with 28 strikeouts in 25 IP.

I ask Ben for a scouting report. He tells me he Finnegan’s velocity sits in the mid-90s, his changeup features excellent late sink, and his low 80s slider often shows more straight drop than sweep making it more of a curve than a slider.  Here he is in motion.

Those two pitchers give him a consistent 60+% minor league groundball rate that allows him to work his way out of trouble if he walks a batter or two. He has a loose, quick arm, and some websites indicate his heater is back to the 97 mph heater rage.

Walking batters is something he’s had trouble with in the past, but since Oakland shortened his stride, he seems to improve on each year.

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