Athletics Prospect to Lead Rotation One Day

After the Athletics drafted him 73rd in the 2024 MLB draft, Gage Jump has given hope to the organization. Following a successful 2021 high school season in which he committed to UCLA, the Padres drafted him in the 18th round. Despite the Major League offer, Jump continued to UCLA, pitching in 7 games in 2022 before requiring Tommy John surgery. This led him to transfer to Louisiana State for the 2024 season, where he posted a 3.47 ERA over 17 games, striking out 101 batters in just 83 innings. This success led the Athletics to draft him with their Competitive Balance Round B pick in 2024. While being smaller than a typical starting pitcher at just 6 feet tall, the now Athletics prospect has a deceptive arm angle to throw off hitters.

Athletics Prospect to Lead Rotation One Day

Athletics Rotation in Turmoil

Coming off a 69-93 record in 2024 and stocked with prospects, the Athletics looked to free agency for starting pitching. This includes a franchise record 3-year, $67 million deal with Luis Severino and trading for Jeffery Springs. While Severino started well with a 3.30 ERA through April, the same cannot be said for the rotation. While Severino has been their ace, he currently has a 4.54 ERA, leading the team, with Springs behind him at 4.66. The rest of the rotation, however, is all above a 5 ERA, with two being above a 6.10 ERA. This gives the team an overall rotation ERA of 5.84, almost half a run more than the Rockies at 5.39. As a result, the Athletics have currently won only 1 of their last 21 games, giving up 8.10 runs per game during that stretch.

Potential Help on the Way

So far in the 2025 season, Gage Jump has posted a 1.61 ERA in 10 games over two levels. This includes a 0.72 ERA in 4 starts at the Double-A level, striking out 29 batters over 25 innings. With his 4-pitch arsenal, including a mid-90s fastball, upper-70s curveball, and a slider and changeup to back it up. These pitches have limited batters to a .182 average so far, only giving up 2 home runs and walking 10. At the Double-A level, Jump has managed to strike out at least 6 batters in every start, not giving up more than 5 hits in any of those starts.