Spring training is always a bit of a mixed bag. The desert air can make the ball soar, pitchers are still getting into their groove, and the adrenaline isn't quite at regular-season levels. But when familiar issues rear their head, it’s worth taking note.
Enter Jack Perkins, a pitcher with undeniable talent but a penchant for wildness. The big question heading into camp was whether he'd crack the rotation or maybe find a home in the bullpen as a closer.
Well, the verdict is in, and it's neither. Perkins has been sent down to AAA, tasked with honing his control and finding the strike zone more consistently.
Meanwhile, Luis Morales, another promising right-hander, is still in the mix and likely to be part of the A’s rotation when the season kicks off. Morales, now 23, had a taste of the majors in 2025, posting a respectable 3.14 ERA. However, his underlying numbers-like a 4.42 xERA and 4.54 xFIP-tell a more cautious tale.
Morales boasts a powerful fastball and a sharp slider, but his command can be erratic. This inconsistency leads to too many walks and pitches left over the heart of the plate. The hope is that with more experience, Morales can harness his raw talent and deliver more quality strikes.
Unfortunately, his latest outing didn't inspire confidence. Morales struggled, giving up a bases-clearing double after walking three batters to load the bases.
His line for the day: 2.1 innings, 1 hit, 3 earned runs, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Out of 61 pitches, only 34 found the zone.
This performance is part of a larger trend throughout the Cactus League. Morales wraps up spring training with a 2-2 record, a 7.58 ERA over 19 innings, 21 hits, 16 earned runs (including 3 homers), 14 walks, and 17 strikeouts. That’s a BB/9 rate of 6.63, which is concerning.
If the A’s had an abundance of starting pitching options-a rarity in baseball-Morales might be joining Perkins in AAA. But with JT Ginn struggling late in spring and Luis Medina still finding his way back post-Tommy John surgery, Morales seems set to face the likes of the Blue Jays or Braves on the first road trip.
Watching Kade Morris dominate the top farm system yesterday, one might argue he looks more ready for six solid big-league innings than Morales. Morris was efficient, throwing 56 pitches over four innings, with 37 being strikes.
There's no denying Morales' talent and potential. The question is whether he can be effective in the big leagues right now.
His natural ability is tantalizing, but many electric arms have faltered due to control issues. As he likely takes the mound in Atlanta, fans will be watching closely, hoping for flashes of brilliance amidst the growing pains.
Ready or not, here he comes.