MESA, Ariz. -- The feeling in the air at Hohokam Stadium as A’s pitchers and catchers reported for their first workouts of Spring Training was a contrast from the previous few years.

It had almost become a tradition for the A’s to enter camp without a full starting rotation, with the club usually scrambling to assemble its five starters with last-minute signings. It worked out great the past two years, as Oakland won 97 games in back-to-back seasons, but depth was always a concern. This year, the A’s arrive not only with a starting staff ready to go, but also plenty of reinforcements.

Mike Fiers, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk are expected to make up the starting five, while Chris Bassitt, who found success as a starter and reliever last season, will likely be used in a swingman role out of the bullpen to begin the year.

“We’re in a better position than we have been in the last five or six years with not just the starting pitching, but the depth,” A’s general manager David Forst said. “We’ve got some experience in Triple-A and feel really good about what we have.”

The many young arms that have been accumulated through the Draft or trades over the past few years are starting to make an impact. Top prospects Luzardo and Puk are already slated for starring roles on the club in 2020 after their brief '19 cameos out of the bullpen, and they could soon be joined by another trio that arrived to camp on Wednesday.

Grant Holmes, James Kaprielian and Daulton Jefferies hit a wall in their development the past couple of seasons due to injuries. But all three seemed to get back on track last season, as Jefferies earned himself Oakland’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors from MLB Pipeline while Kaprielian and Holmes ended the year with a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas. All three enter 2020 among the A’s Top 15 prospects.

“When you bring guys to the big leagues like Luzardo and Puk who are your crowned jewels, you need a next wave. These are all talented guys,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said of the three right-handers. “They’ve had to deal with injuries, but they’re all full-go now. We’re excited about seeing them this spring and what we could get from them down the road. We’ll be watching these guys closely.”

Next for the A’s is to welcome the position players. Here’s a look at when that will come as well as more key dates and info as Spring Training gets underway.

Full-squad report date

Monday, Feb. 17

First full-squad workout

Monday, Feb. 17

New faces to know

Left-hander T.J. McFarland; catcher Austin Allen; infielders Vimael Machin and Tony Kemp

Top prospects to know

Right-handers Daulton Jefferies, Grant Holmes and James Kaprielian; catcher Jonah Heim; infielders Nick Allen, Logan Davidson and Robert Puason; outfielders Luis Barrera, Greg Deichmann and Lazaro Armenteros.

Where is the facility?

Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz.

Can fans attend workouts?

Yes, prior to the A’s first Cactus League game, fans can attend workouts at Fitch Park (651 N Center St.), which is down the street from Hohokam Stadium. Workouts typically begin shortly after 9 a.m. MST and run for several hours.

First Cactus League game

Saturday, Feb. 22, 12:05 p.m. PT, at Cubs

Other notable game

Saturday, Feb. 29, 1:05 p.m. PT, vs. Indians

Last Cactus League game

Saturday, March 21, 12:05 p.m. PT, vs. Cubs

Any additional exhibitions before the regular season?

The A's return to the Bay Area to put the finishing touches on Spring Training when they take part in the annual Bay Bridge Series with the Giants. Exhibition games are scheduled for Monday, March 23 (7:05 p.m. PT at Oakland Coliseum); and Tuesday, March 24 (6:45 p.m. PT at Oracle Park).

Opening Day

Thursday, March 26, 1:07 p.m. PT, vs. Twins at Oakland Coliseum