The Oakland A’s optioned pitcher Frankie Montas to Triple-A Nashville, the team announced Sunday morning. An extra 26th man had been added for Saturday’s doubleheader, which meant someone had to go back down the next day. With nine relievers on board, the 24-year-old right-hander was the odd man out.
Montas ranked No. 5 on our Community Prospect List last winter, largely on the strength of his elite velocity. However, his command hasn’t caught up with his stuff yet, and he’s struggled both in terms of wildness (4.7 BB/9, 11.1 BB%) and hard contact (2.8 HR/9). Each of his pitches has been hit hard, but his changeup took the biggest beating.