The High-A Stockton Ports began their 2018 season on Thursday, and so far their starting pitching has carried them to a 3-1 record. The Oakland A’s rotation depth is virtually nonexistent throughout the upper minors, with seven notable arms going on the shelf this spring with new injuries (Cotton, Blackburn, Puk, Holmes, Shore, Sawyer, Hurlbutt) on top of previous long-term surgeries (Jefferies, Kaprielian) and trades (Hahn, Fillmyer, Meisner, Bailey), but the next wave is making a great first impression in the lower minors.
The headliner of the group is 20-year-old Jesus Luzardo. The left-hander is the top healthy pitcher on our Community Prospect List, and he showed up on several national Top 100 prospect lists as well.