Spence makes first bid at Opening Day roster in spring debut

MESA, Ariz. -- The significance of Spring Training performance varies from player to player. In the case of Mitch Spence, the next four weeks are crucial.

Spence, who spent the first four seasons of his professional career in the Yankees’ Minor League system, is in the mix to break camp with the A’s for what would be his Major League debut.

But the situation is a bit complex.

Because he was selected first overall by the A’s in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, Spence has to make their Opening Day roster. If he does not make the final cut, he must be offered back to the Yankees, who can then send him back to the Minors if they choose.

“Either I’m going to be on the big league team or I’m going to get sent back,” Spence said. “I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunity and focus on what I can control on the mound. Whatever happens, happens. All I’m trying to do is just make their decision as tough as possible.”

Admittedly feeling some pregame jitters given how much is riding on each performance, Spence settled in and delivered a solid first showing. Drawing the start for his Cactus League debut in Monday’s 9-8 victory over the D-backs at Hohokam Stadium, the right-hander struck out three batters and allowed one run on three hits over two innings.

“I felt like I fell behind in counts a little bit, but I got through it,” said Spence. “I was a little nervous going into it with it being my first time out there, but I think it was good.”

Spence closed out a scoreless top of the first with an 89 mph cutter that All-Star outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. swung through for strike three. After a pair of two-out hits plated a run for Arizona in the second, Spence bounced back to finish his outing with a strikeout of Ivan Melendez on an 83 mph slider.

“He probably didn’t have his best command today,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “But overall, I thought he was good. … He knows how to pitch inside. I saw kind of what was advertised.”

In addition to Spence’s durability -- his 163 innings pitched in 2023 led all Minor League pitchers -- the A’s were drawn to his four-pitch starter mix of a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. He has also been working to incorporate a sinker this spring; as a pitcher who pitches to contact, the sinker should help him induce more weak grounders.

Spence, who posted a 4.47 ERA in 29 starts with 153 strikeouts to 53 walks for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2023, is part of a large group of young starters vying for the A’s final rotation spot this spring along with pitchers such as Joe Boyle and Joey Estes, both of whom impressed in their first outings on Saturday. Should he come up short in the rotation battle, Kotsay also mentioned Spence as a candidate for a swingman role in which he would provide multiple innings out of the bullpen.

“We’ve got to get him as many chances as possible,” Kotsay said. “He’s a kid that reminds me a little bit of like a Paul Blackburn. He’s not going to overpower guys. He’s probably more location-based. He’s going to compete for a rotation spot and we’ll probably entertain looking at a long role for him if the rotation doesn’t make sense or if he doesn’t make it.”

Whether it be starting or relieving, Spence is looking to do whatever it takes to crack his first Major League roster.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to compete for a big league spot,” Spence said. “I’m here to do whatever they need me to do. There’s a lot of young talent here and I’m excited to be here.”

Lugbauer walks it off

When the A’s announced their list of non-roster invites last month, one player who jumped off the page was Drew Lugbauer, a power-hitting first baseman who amassed 112 home runs over six Minor League seasons, including 25 last year in the Braves’ system between Double-A and Triple-A.

A late-inning replacement on Monday against the D-backs, Lugbauer went up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth and unloaded on a 3-1 pitch from Chris Rodriguez for a walk-off homer that secured Oakland its first Cactus League win.

“It was nice to see Lugbauer,” Kotsay said. “He’s got some power. We’ve known that. There’s a little swing-and-miss that comes with it. But when he hits it, it travels.”