OAKLAND, CA - April 17: Cole Irvin #19 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the Detroit Tigers at RingCentral Coliseum on April 17, 2021 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Tigers 7-0. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
Cole Irvin was not supposed to be a part of the Oakland A’s starting rotation. He was, at best, expected to be a minor league depth piece, someone that would be called upon only in case of an extreme emergency. Irvin was behind the A’s five main starters, several prospects, and A.J. Puk, although his role was more in question.