Editor's note: Over the next few weeks, NBC Sports California will be analyzing a different A's player each day to project their numbers for next season.
He might have gone under the radar, but Chris Bassitt pitched extremely well for the A's last season in his limited opportunities.
The 29-year-old right-hander went 2-3 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 11 outings, including seven starts. He recorded 41 strikeouts against 19 walks in 47 2/3 innings.
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Bassitt will enter his fifth big-league season with a career ERA of 3.86. He has a chance to earn a spot in the A's starting rotation out of spring training, especially if 21-year-old prospect Jesús Luzardo begins the year in Triple-A.
Bassitt was impressively consistent last season, allowing more than three earned runs just once. His stuff won't overwhelm anyone, but he knows how to mix his pitches and hit his locations.
Baseball-Reference projects Bassitt to pitch 73 innings next season with a 3-4 record, 3.82 ERA, and 1.30 WHIP. They also predict 67 strikeouts compared to 28 walks.
The A's are probably hoping they won't need 73 innings out of Bassitt. If they sign another starting pitcher this offseason, it would likely bump Bassitt out of the rotation, barring injuries. Oakland will also likely get Jharel Cotton, A.J. Puk, and Sean Manaea back from injury at some point in the season.
Oakland Athletics
Bassitt has proven to be valuable over the past few years in Oakland, providing several spot starts and extra depth as both a starter and reliever. We have no reason to believe he won't perform well again next season, though we project fewer innings than Baseball Reference.
Projection: 3-2, 3.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 37 K, 18 BB, 46 IP