VIDEO: A's Top Prospect Jesus Luzardo Looks Utterly Nasty in Spring Training Debut
By Will Coleman
The Oakland Athletics called up top pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo at the end of last season, and he showed flashes of what the future has in store. The 22-year-old allowed just two earned runs over 12 innings pitched in relief while striking out 16 batters. The left-hander has a chance to be a real force on the mound, and he showcased more of that promise in his Spring Training debut Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.
*Jack Nicholson nodding gif*
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) February 25, 2020
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After putting a runner on base in the first, Luzardo forced the Padres into a double play to end the inning. In the second, he retired San Diego's four-, five- and six-spot hitters in order with a pair of strikeouts. On his out pitches, Luzardo put deceptive movement on the ball that made the Padres' hitters look downright foolish.
Luzardo made it look easy throwing a 96-mph heater placed just beneath the strike zone to ring up his foe. And apparently, the kid wasn't even throwing his hardest today.
Note regarding Luzardo's FB: said he sat comfortably at 95-97, but didn't throw max effort. "If I can do this without it being a max effort, that'd be great to me." So, velocity could still tick up a bit.
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) February 25, 2020
With the A's having focused more on building around their bullpen this offseason, that could mean Luzardo has a place in the starting rotation sooner rather than later. He's absolutely one to keep an eye on in the Bay.