Marlins, A’s swap former first-round picks
Puk, who turns 28 in April, compiled a 1.15 WHIP, a 120 ERA+ and 4 saves in 62 outings in 2022 — his first full season within the Majors. He recorded 10.3 strikeouts per 9 innings and profession lows for walks per 9 innings (3.1) and hits per 9 innings (7.2). Puk held left-handed batters to a .153 common, with simply three extra-base hits in 85 at-bats.
According to Statcast, Puk ranked within the 96th percentile for extension and ninetieth percentile in fastball velocity (96.6 mph). He paired the heater with a slider that he threw 38.2 p.c of the time and tallied a 37 p.c whiff charge.
The sixth general choice within the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida, Puk is a transformed reliever who will not turn out to be arbitration-eligible till after the 2023 season and a free agent following ’26. A former prime prospect, he was named the A’s Organization Pitcher of The Year in 2017 and ranked third in all of Minor League Baseball with 184 strikeouts.
Puk does have an harm historical past, present process Tommy John surgical procedure in 2018 earlier than returning for his MLB debut as a reliever in ’19 (139 ERA+ in 10 video games). He did not pitch in ’20 as a result of left shoulder surgical procedure, then he missed a while in ’21 with a left biceps pressure.
Over the previous two weeks, Miami’s bullpen has added All-Star nearer Matt Barnes from Boston and Puk through trades. Puk joins fellow southpaws Steven Okert and Tanner Scott (20 saves) as high-leverage arms. The Marlins even have veteran righty Dylan Floro.
The fourth general decide in 2019, Bleday debuted in 2022 and struggled (67 OPS+) in 65 video games. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. transferring to heart subject, Avisaíl García returning in proper and Bryan De La Cruz the front-runner in left, Bleday was going to have hassle making the Opening Day roster. A transfer to rebuilding Oakland will give him an opportunity at common enjoying time.
