FanPost

Which A's Position Player Will Pitch in 2014?

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The other day during the radio broadcast of the A's-Tigers series finale, Ken Korach brought up a trend that has been surging in 2014: position players pitching.

Given that position players typically only pitch in blowouts and that the A's --who currently own the highest RDiff in baseball-- have been blowing quite a few teams out, this decision might become a reality for Bob Melvin in the coming months.

But who would it be? The last A's position player to pitch was Frank Menechino in 2000. Seth Smith used to claim that he could pitch and purportedly got pretty close.

The players with the best arms are Reddick, Cespedes and Donaldson, but typically its backup/utility men that are used in these circumstances.

Jake Elmore pitched an inning last year for the Astros, but he's not likely to get called up anytime soon. Kyle Blanks has a build like a right-handed CC Sabathia. Nick Punto always gives 110%.

But, if recent history is any guide, it'll likely be "Kitten Face" Gentry getting the call. Owner of a career 18.00 ERA Gentry worked through an inning against the A's in 2012, retiring Kurt Suzuki, Jemile Weeks, and yes, Seth Smith to get through the bottom of the 8th inning for the Rangers.