Athletics Bolster Pitching, Bench in 2021 WFBL Majors Draft

Julio Teheran, Matt Moore, Jon Lester (L-R) were drafted to bolster the Athletics starting pitching depth

The 2021 WFBL Majors Draft was held on Tuesday night, March 30 and the Philadelphia Athletics GM Matt Veasey used the process to add needed pitching options as well as to add depth to the A's position player bench.

Cutting the Majors roster down to the minimum of 12 protected players for the first time in years, the A's GM gave himself a shot to go for as many starting pitching options as possible. It appeared to work out well for the club.

The first three selections that Veasey made were starting pitchers Julio Teheran, Matt Moore, and Jon Lester. After that, Veasey brought back multi-positional Jean Segura in the fourth round, then added another multi-position infielder in David Bote in the fifth.

In the sixth round the A's drafted outfield depth in slugging Adam Duvall. That was followed by the selection of reliever Tanner Rainey in the seventh. The next three picks were "wildcards", all geared to further deepen starting pitching options for the long run: Rick Porcello, Vince Velasquez, and then another returnee in Erick Fedde.

The final three rounds saw the Athletics add a trio of relief pitchers in Blake Treinen, Connor Brogdon, and a final returnee in Ryan Helsley.

In the aftermath of the draft each of Rainey, Brogdon, and Helsley were assigned to AAA Myrtle Beach. The rest begin the season on the big-league roster.

Veasey submitted the following Opening Week lineup for the short Week 1 at Liberty Bell Park against the visiting New York Knights: Trea Turner (SS), Bryce Harper (RF), Mike Trout (LF), Freddie Freeman (1B), Anthony Rendon (3B), Cody Bellinger (CF), Keston Hiura (2B), Willson Contreras (C) with starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Aaron Nola, Julio Urias, Julio Teheran, and Kohei Urihara. The relievers were Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Edwin Diaz.

However, due to a COVID issue in MLB, both Turner and Diaz were replaced in the lineup after the first day of play. Jean Segura took over for Turner and Blake Treinen replaced Diaz.