MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos reports that the Athletics will call up pitching prospect A.J. Puk from Triple-A Las Vegas ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Yankees.
Puk, 24, was selected by the A’s in the first round (sixth overall) in the 2016 draft. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the organization’s No. 2 prospect behind Jesús Luzardo, and No. 43 across the league.
Puk made his season debut on June 11 with High-A Stockton after recovering from Tommy John surgery. In 25 1/3 innings across three levels of the minors this year, Puk has allowed 16 runs (14 earned) on 21 hits and 10 walks with 38 strikeouts.
The A’s are expected to use Puk out of the bullpen. A good showing for Puk, however, could earn him some points towards earning a spot in the starting rotation going into next season.
