WEST SACRAMENTO -- Athletics manager Mark Kotsay has been clear that he plans to use the remaining months of the season to do some deep evaluations on the team’s younger pitchers to see which could be part of the organization’s long-term plans.
Jack Perkins thinks he’s done that already, and firmly believes he’ll be in the A’s starting rotation in 2027.
“Absolutely,” Perkins said after Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Tigers. “I think I continue to show that I keep getting better and better. A lot of it is just experience. This is one of those seasons that I have to take with a grain of salt, and what can I learn from it, how can I get better and improve.
“But I think I’ve proven with my stuff and the way I compete that I’m definitely a starter in this league and for this organization. I feel fully confident in that.”
The good and bad of Perkins was on full display Saturday against Detroit.
Kevin McGonigle homered on Perkins’ third pitch of the night, as four of the Tigers' first five batters reached on hits, with Colt Keith providing an RBI single to push the lead to 2-0.
Perkins was solid after that, setting down 11 of the next 13 batters he faced before serving up a leadoff single to McGonigle in the fifth, followed by Gleyber Torres' two-run home run. Perkins was also tagged for a home run by Max Clark in the sixth, the rookie's first Major League homer after his debut Friday night.
“With the at-bat he gives up the home run, that’s an at-bat where he attacked down a few times, then the pitch that was hit out was down in the zone,” Kotsay said. “It’s just a learning curve for these young starters. They get in that moment, whether it’s lack of execution or a pitch selection.”
On the plus side, Perkins set a career high with nine strikeouts. At times this season, he's appeared to have the makings of a solid starter, despite the stat line -- 2-7 with a 6.57 ERA in 27 games (nine starts).
And though he allowed three homers on Saturday, Perkins didn't give up that many hard hits.
This up-and-down outing came on the heels of his start Monday, when the 26-year-old Perkins took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the red-hot Red Sox.
"This is another outing that he can build on,” Kotsay said. “Just maturing and understanding when you’re setting hitters up, how to finish off hitters. He’s done it. But that’s the challenge for him.”
Other than the home runs he allowed, Perkins was pleased with his night. He gave up nine hits and six runs in 5 1/3 innings, with those nine strikeouts.
“I thought I threw the ball great,” he said. “Tough because if you take away those homers ... it’s a different story. Just sucks from the team aspect, especially seeing the way the offense rallied late.”
Besides his fastball that routinely clocks in the mid-90s, Perkins' most valuable asset is his confidence. In that department, he lacks nothing.
"I’m always going to be a guy with great stuff, great swing-and-miss,” Perkins said. “I always have high strikeout numbers, and that’s great. But any successful team, the starting pitcher gives their team a chance to win day in and day out. For me, over the rest of the season [my goal] is just trying to instill that confidence not only in my teammates, but in Kots as well.”