Daulton Jefferies

After posting strong numbers at Double-A in 2019, Jefferies spent last season at the Athletics' alternate training site and made his big-league debut in September as the 29th man for a doubleheader, although he got a rude welcome from the Rangers. The right-hander features a mid-90s fastball, a potentially plus changeup and good command, mixing in a curveball and cutter. Oakland's careful approach with his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2017 would seem to leave the 25-year-old ready for his first full big-league campaign. The question is where he fits onto the staff. If A.J. Puk is healthy, there's no room for Jefferies in the rotation, but he could provide some length in the bullpen behind Puk and Jesus Luzardo. Conversely, the team could opt to keep him stretched out at Triple-A. That makes him a risky fantasy option in 2021 drafts, but if a starting role opens up, Jefferies does have upside.

April 2017 Tommy John surgery cost Jefferies almost two full seasons. His below-average recovery time was worrisome, but he came back with a vengeance, logging a 93:9 K:BB in 79 innings, primarily at Double-A. The No. 37 overall pick in 2016 sat at 95 mph with his fastball in his final start of the year and had his signature plus changeup working throughout his first full campaign. The A's were very careful with him -- he threw between three and 3.2 innings in all 26 appearances -- so his numbers are a little inflated due to the fact that he never had to face the same hitter more than twice. The 6-foot, 185-pound righty still needs to prove he can handle a starter's workload and needs to sharpen his breaking ball. Even so, the potential for a plus fastball, plus changeup and plus command from a pitcher who should join the big-league rotation this summer makes him relevant in all formats.