This little-known A's prospect is off to a 'promising start'

While discussing the state of the organization with reporters last month, A’s general manager David Forst was asked about the pitching depth within the system that could contribute at the Major League level in the coming years.

Forst began his answer by listing off several of the usual names that reside within the club’s Top 30 Prospects list: Gunnar Hoglund, J.T. Ginn, Royber Salinas and Joey Estes. One pitcher he named, however, might be unfamiliar to those not entrenched in the A’s farm system.

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“All the way down to a guy like [Jose] Dicochea in [Single-A] Stockton,” Forst said. “It’s a long way from there to here, obviously. But there is a good group of pitchers that we feel good about.”

Dicochea, an eighth-round selection by the A’s in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Sahuarita (Ariz.) High School, ranks just outside Oakland’s Top 30 Prospects list. But his inclusion in that group from Forst speaks volumes about how highly he is viewed.

In nine games (seven starts) for Single-A Stockton this season, Dicochea holds a 3.20 ERA with 47 strikeouts against 17 walks in 39 1/3 innings. He has held opposing batters to a .163 average, which ranks lowest among all California League pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched.

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Dicochea’s development hit a snag early in his pro career after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021. Since his return from injury, the 22-year-old right-hander is taking a big step forward this season, showing off a fastball that consistently hits 95 mph along with a solid slider and a changeup he’s recently added to his mix.

“He’s off to a promising start,” A’s assistant GM and director of player personnel Billy Owens said of Dicochea. “Averaging well over a strikeout per inning. Overall, his command has taken a step forward. He’s definitely an interesting arm on the horizon.”