MESA, Ariz. — A’s manager Bob Melvin joked before that the only way pitching phenom A.J. Puk was going to make a good first impression on the team was if he managed to strike out every batter out he faced.
He only registered one strikeout, but Puk was impressive nonetheless.
Making his first start of the spring, Puk, 22, was efficiently dominant as he needed just 20 pitches to get through two perfect innings in Sunday’s 4-4 tie against the Royals.
“I think the most impressive thing for me is the poise he has on the mound and the ability to throw strikes with any of his pitches,” Melvin said.