An 11-2 loss in spring training isn’t necessarily a disaster.
But for Jack Perkins, two-thirds of the first spring innings meant far more than just the scoreline.
When the Oakland Athletics opened their training series with a heavy defeat against the White Sox, most of their key players hadn’t even played. No one was really panicking. However, the decision to give Perkins the opening pitch sent a clear signal: the coaching staff wanted to know exactly what they had up their sleeves—and they needed answers soon.
Perkins threw only 26 pitches. Two hits. Two earned runs. Two walkouts. One strikeout. Not the performance he expected. But the numbers weren’t the issue. The timing was.
This wasn’t just a spring outing. This was the start of a test.
Head coach Mark Kotsay has made the plan clear: build Perkins as a starter for the first three games, gradually increasing the pitch count to around 40–45 in the second inning, then 55–65 in the third. After that, the team will make a decision.
Starter or bullpen?
It sounds simple. But in reality, it’s a “slippery slope.”
Last season, Perkins made his MLB debut in the bullpen, then switched to rotation for a few games before his injury ended the season. He showed promising moments in both roles. His strike rate as a starter was nearly 60%, and even higher in the bullpen.
That’s both an advantage… and a problem.
Because if he does well in the bullpen, will the team dare to bring him back to rotation? Or will he be “stuck” as a safe option? And if he struggles in either role, how long will A’s be patient before pivoting?
Everything can be decided after just three games.
What makes this story even more remarkable is Perkins’ quiet transformation during the offseason. He completely cut sugar from his diet, lost eight pounds, but simultaneously gained muscle. According to Kotsay, he “looks great.” Perkins himself admitted that his recovery has improved significantly.
A change in physique. A change in discipline. A change in preparation.
But will that be enough to change his destiny?
As have seen Mason Miller switch to bullpen and immediately become an All-Star. But that’s the exception, not the rule. Not everyone can turn the page on their career so easily.
Perkins entered this spring with more expectations than any other arm in training camp. Not because he had already proven himself, but because he could do both roles. And that very versatility makes his future so precarious.
While Kotsay says he’s looking for pitching depth for the entire season, the decision on Perkins could be the first test of how A’s will shape its staff in 2026.
Three outings. Around 120–130 pitches cumulatively. One option.
And what if that option is wrong?
Nobody’s saying it out loud. No public pressure. But in professional sports, early decisions often have long-lasting consequences.
Perkins says he’s willing to play any role the team throws at him.
The real question is:
Do A’s already know who they want him to be—or are they waiting for these early spring pitches to decide for them?
Leave a Reply