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ANALYSIS: Not everyone is considered a top-tier prospect since the day they joined a little league squad: some guys have to prove their metal through the NCAA and minor league ranks to even be ranked among top organizational prospects. It's those prospects who know how to navigate career ups and downs who can handle adversity early, and they seem to often end up as Oakland A's, as is the case with former UCLA ace James Kaprielian. Many lost interest after his hiatus from 2016 to 2019 and his lackluster showing in 2020, but Kaprielian has come blazing into 2021.
His most recent minor league season was 2019 when he pitched at Single-A+, Double, and Triple-A, netting a 3.18 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 68.0 IP over 19 outings (16 starts). The 6'3, 225-lb. righty has thrown 32.1 IP over six starts for the Athletics in 2021, and he has blossomed in that time to the tune of three wins, a 2.51 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 3.88 FIP. His strikeout ratio is on the uptick from last year, and while he allows a concerning 43.4% hard contact rate and 90.9 MPH average exit velocity, his 55.4% combined line drives and grounders allows opponents less opportunity to cash in on batted balls, making his .238 BABIP appear sustainable. With the consistency and damage control he has displayed for the 43-27 Athletics, act fast to grab James Kaprielian before someone else in your league wises up.
Update: This past Friday against the Yankees, Kaprielian continued to find success with three hits, one walk, three earned runs, and seven strikeouts in 5.2 IP, picking up his fourth win in the process.
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