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What to Expect from Athletics Pitcher Gunnar Hoglund

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated May 2, 2025 11:00 AM ET

After a strong April that saw him sit near the top of the ERA board in the Pacific Coast League, Gunnar Hoglund is joining the Athletics. The 25-year-old heads to Sacramento to help an A’s team looking for more pitching help.

A Look at Hoglund

As of May 1, Gunnar Hoglund had the third-best ERA (2.43) in the Pacific Coast League among qualified pitchers. It’s an impressive figure given the hitter-friendly nature of the PCL — and a strong sign for the 19th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Hoglund didn’t throw a pitch in the Blue Jays organization despite Toronto being the team that drafted him after a strong college career, teaming with Doug Nikhazy, who, oddly enough, debuted in the Majors in late April. He struggled in his freshman season but pitched extremely well in 2020-21, capped off by a 96-strikeout season over 62.2 IP in 2021.

However, the Blue Jays flipped him for Matt Chapman after the lockout ended in March 2022.

He had Tommy John surgery in 2021, meaning he only got a chance to make three outings in 2022. Hoglund’s 2023 season wasn’t fantastic, as opposing batters hit .278 off him and posted a 6.05 ERA between Single-A through Double-A. However, things got better for Hoglund as he moved up the ladder, highlighted by a 2.84 ERA with Midland in 2024 and his early returns with Las Vegas (AAA) in 2025.

Hoglund heavily relies on his two fastballs, as the 25-year-old used his four-seamer 42.3% of the time with Las Vegas, and his sinker 14.6%. The righty sits primarily in the 94-96 MPH range but can gas it up to 97 MPH. He’s not a big swing-and-miss pitcher (22.1% Whiff%) by proxy of his stuff, as his fastballs get more contact and called strikes than whiffs.

Gunnar Hoglund Whiff 2025 AAA — Misses both up and down. Via New Baseball Media

But what he can do is set up to work hitters up and down. Hoglund possesses a changeup with over four inches of above-average sink compared to the MLB average, compared to Statcast, coupled with over 10 MPH of separation. Additionally, Hoglund possesses a harder cut/slider, along with a breaking ball that’s become a key swing-and-miss option in his arsenal.

Gunnar Hoglund Pitch Movement 2025 — Triple-A Statcast data can be fun, sometimes. Even though his low-80s slider is denoted as a curveball, it’s a slider. Via New Baseball Media

ESPN first confirmed Gunnar Hoglund’s promotion to the Athletics.

Analysis

The Athletics have been trying to figure out the #5 spot in their rotation. Newcomer pitchers Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs have both made seven starts, while Osvaldo Bido and JP Sears have six under their belts. However, the A’s have seen Joey Estes and J.T. Ginn make multiple starts at the big league level.

Estes gave up 12 earned runs over seven frames, while Ginn is on the IL.

Hoglund is a very interesting pitcher, as aside from his reputation, the 25-year-old proved a lot while in Las Vegas (AAA). One, the ability to control the environment. Pitching in Las Vegas or Sacramento isn’t easy, and Hoglund — armed with a four-seamer and sinker — can attack the zone or out of it in several ways.

Two, he proved his velocity is fine, gassing up hitters after sitting in the low-90s in the past.

Hoglund doesn’t profile as a “blow me away” kind of arm but the arsenal should be quite useful for a team that’s still searching for additional pitching depth.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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