Jesus Luzardo

Heading into 2022, Luzardo was not only an injury risk, but how well he'd pitch when healthy was also unclear. A year later, he's still a health risk after making only 18 starts due to a midseason forearm strain, but Luzardo assuaged performance fears by dominating, especially late. On May 10, Luzardo was sporting a 4.03 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 41 strikeouts but 16 walks in 29 innings. He then went on the IL to return on August 1. The lefty recorded a 3.03 ERA and .98 WHIP the rest of the way, fanning 79 with only 19 walks in his final 71.1 frames. Luzardo featured a 96-mph fastball, but his changeup was most effective, generating a 25.9% swinging strike rate. Luzardo needs to maintain his improved control, and of course avoid injury, but if he does, the southpaw has a chance to fulfill the vast promise teased as he was coming up in the Athletics system. Read Past Outlooks