How this A's prospect got his groove back

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' A's Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox

OAKLAND -- As far as first impressions go, Luis Medina did not have the start he was hoping for with his new club.

One of four prospects acquired by the A’s on Aug. 1 in a midseason trade that sent Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino to the Yankees, Medina carried arguably the highest ceiling of the incoming group as an electric arm with frontline starter potential.

But once Medina joined Double-A Midland, he immediately struggled with command issues. Making seven starts with his new organization, the right-hander walked 22 batters in 20 2/3 innings and posted an 11.76 ERA -- a stark contrast from the 3.38 ERA, 40 walks and 81 strikeouts in 72 innings he’d posted through his first 17 starts of the season with New York’s Double-A affiliate.

“Having to come to a new place during the summer,” A’s general manager David Forst said, “I think that was an adjustment for him.”

Looking to end his year on a high note, Medina approached the A’s and insisted on pitching in the Dominican Winter League. After faring well in his first few outings, Medina was allowed a longer stint and continued the success. By the end of the winter campaign, he had made 10 starts for Toros del Este and posted a 2.57 ERA with 12 walks and 32 strikeouts over 28 innings.

“Medina pitched really well in the Dominican,” Forst said. “He was really comfortable and had some outstanding games. It’s been nice to see him go three innings at a time and pitch well. He’s stood out as somebody that we’ve seen a nice little jump from, and it makes sense because he’s comfortable down there and knows the team. Luis stood out.”

After initial confusion over whether he might be out of Minor League options, Forst confirmed that the 23-year-old does have a fourth option entering 2023, which means he does not need to begin the season with the Major League club.

Given that he has yet to pitch above Double-A, Medina -- ranked as Oakland’s No. 14 prospect by MLB Pipeline -- will likely begin the 2023 campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas. But before that, he’ll get a chance to perform in front of the big league staff in Spring Training and show off his premium stuff, which includes a fastball that can reach triple digits to go with a plus curveball that generates plenty of swings-and-misses and an above-average changeup. If Medina can continue the positive momentum from winter ball, there’s a chance he could get a look in Oakland’s starting rotation at some point this season.

“We’re keeping him as stretched out as possible just to maintain that possibility,” Forst said. “I don’t know that he’s necessarily coming [into Spring Training] competing for anything other than just letting the Major League staff see him for the first time and kind of get his feet under him in the organization.”