The Oakland A’s have the hottest starter in the American League, but it’s not who you might have guessed back in July when the season began. It’s not presumed ace Frankie Montas, nor last year’s playoff starter Sean Manaea, nor star rookie Jesús Luzardo, nor reliable veteran Mike Fiers. Rather, it’s a pitcher who arguably began the spring sixth on the team’s depth chart.
On Monday, Chris Bassitt was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for September. It’s the first such award of the 31-year-old’s career, and the first for the A’s since 2018.
The honor is no surprise considering the numbers Bassitt posted.