From the moment righthander Mason Barnett arrived with the Athletics at the 2024 trade deadline, he made an impression.
Barnett produced a 2.61 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 41.1 innings for Double-A Midland down the stretch in 2024 after coming over from the Royals in the Lucas Erceg trade.
The 24-year-old Barnett did not enjoy the same success in 2025. He ran up a 6.13 ERA in 119 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas and then allowed 17 earned runs in 22.1 big league innings after the A’s called him up on Aug. 30.
Barnett is optimistic that better days are ahead based on a grip change to his sweeper. There is more sharpness to it, and its action and mid-80s velocity differentiates the pitch from his high-70s curveball.
His changeup also plays against lefthanded hitters.
Barnett’s final start of the season was promising. Against the Royals, the club that drafted him out of Auburn in the third round in 2022, he admitted he was a little more “amped up.” He struck out three in 5.2 innings, giving up three runs and walking two.
“I think it can kind of go for anybody to come in—you make sure that you’re able to compete up here and having a few starts in and getting through some lineups,” Barnett said. “It gives confidence going on that I can come back next year and keep doing it.”
A’s manager Mark Kotsay said he was impressed with the progress Barnett made this season and knows he “should be feeling great,” heading into next season.
The Athletics’ rotation next season is projected to be anchored by Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs. Beyond those veterans there will be opportunities for young pitchers including Barnett and fellow prospect Gunnar Hoglund as well as 2025 rookies Luis Morales, Jack Perkins, Jacob Lopez and J.T. Ginn.
That will probably equate to another year on the Triple-A shuttle or in a swingman role for Barnett.