Aaron Civale has arrived. And with him, the A’s finally have three “safe” names in the rotation: Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, and Civale.
387 MLB starts combined. Experience. Consistency. Something Oakland has lacked for years.
But precisely because the top three spots are already secured, the remaining two spots have become the quietest focal point of Spring Training.
And if we were to rank them, Luis Morales is in pole position.
Morales is no longer a completely new name. He was called up late last season and showed no hesitation: 3.14 ERA, 43 strikeouts in 48.2 innings across 10 games (9 starts). Not a huge sample size, but enough to inspire confidence that this is more than just a “potential” prospect.
More importantly: he has tasted MLB. This return will no longer be his “first time.”
Mark Kotsay understands that. And in a rotation seeking to erase the memory of last season’s 4.85 ERA (top 4 worst in MLB), that small amount of confidence is worth a lot.
Right behind Morales is Jacob Lopez.
If you only look at the second half of the 2025 season, Lopez was even more impressive. In the 13 starts before being shut down for a forearm problem, he threw 70.2 innings with a 2.17 ERA, 85 strikeouts and only 21 walk. A stretch that showed he not only survived, but was controlling the game.
The problem? Forearm.
Lopez was expected to have a full workload this spring, but he entered camp a step behind the rest of the pack. And for a young pitcher, just one slow step can change the order in the race.
Behind these two names is a long line of contenders: J.T. Ginn, Jack Perkins, Mason Barnett, Gunnar Hoglund. In addition, there are high-profile prospects like Jamie Arnold, Gage Jump, and Braden Nett.
Oakland truly has depth.
But depth doesn’t equate to certainty.
One thing Kotsay said is true: the A’s will need more than five starters to survive 162 games. Whoever starts in Sacramento today could still be the one to save the rotation in August.
Civale brings stability at the top of the pyramid. But the bottom is what determines success.
Morales has an advantage because he has proven something at the highest level. Lopez has an upside thanks to his strikeout ability and explosive late-season run.
If both secure the remaining two spots, the A’s rotation will have a mix of experience and youthful energy.
If either of them slips up, the door will open for a surprise.
And that’s what makes this race noteworthy.
Because 2026 isn’t just the year A’s wants to improve on their 76 wins.
It’s the year they want to prove that rebuilding is over, and rotation is no longer their Achilles’ heel.
Two open slots might sound like gaps.
But in reality, they are two golden opportunities.
The question is: who will turn these opportunities into a foundation…
and who will become depth insurance waiting for a midseason call? ⚡
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