This former Braves first rounder has struggled in the big leagues, but his underlying metrics could make him a great fit at Sutter Health Park
The Oakland Athletics opened the 2025 season thin on left-handed bullpen arms, with veteran T.J. McFarland serving as the lone southpaw option most nights. Since then, the relief corps has taken shape with the additions of former Brave Sean Newcomb via trade from Boston, Hogan Harris in a long-relief role, and, more recently, Ben Bowden.
This week, the A’s added yet another ex-Braves prospect, claiming Jared Shuster off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. A first-round pick out of Wake Forest (25th overall), Shuster debuted with Atlanta in 2023 as a starter, going 4–3 with a 5.81 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 11 starts. That offseason, he was dealt to Chicago in the Aaron Bummer trade and transitioned into a multi-inning reliever, though he still made four starts among his 39 outings. He finished the year with a 4.30 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.
In 2025, Shuster has struggled with the White Sox, posting an 8.04 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in 15 2/3 innings. However, underlying metrics paint a more favorable picture: his FIP sits at 2.92, supported by a reduced walk rate (6.1%) and an unsustainably high .429 BABIP against him. In a small sample, that kind of misfortune can significantly inflate an ERA.
There are positives, but also concerns. On the downside, he isn’t a big strikeout pitcher — posting a 14.6% strikeout rate this year after peaking at 17.4% in 2024. Statcast lists him with five pitches, though one — a sweeper — has been used just twice all season.
His changeup remains his best weapon, thrown nearly 37% of the time in 2025 and holding opponents to a .250 average with an expected batting average of .218. It has consistently been his go-to swing-and-miss pitch in the majors. He relies mainly on a four-seam fastball and slider, occasionally mixing in a sinker.
FanGraphs’ Stuff+ data indicates his overall arsenal is below average, but both the slider and changeup grade close to league norms. His command numbers, however, suggest he locates pitches well — something the A’s staff values highly.
Another encouraging sign is his ability to limit hard contact. In 2024, he ranked in the 81st percentile for average exit velocity (87.5 mph) and 94th in hard-hit rate (31.9%) over 73 1/3 innings. His small 2025 sample has been even better, with an average exit velocity of 84.8 mph and a hard-hit rate of 28.6% — figures that would rank near the top of the league if qualified. His chase rate is up to 31.3%, while his barrel rate sits at 4.8%.
He’s also generating more ground balls this season (43.5% ground-ball rate), a trend that could play especially well at Sutter Health Park compared to a fly-ball approach.
For Oakland, the key will be working with the 27-year-old on sequencing to improve results. The underlying metrics suggest a reliever with strong potential, and as a pre-arbitration player, he could remain in the mix for 2026. It would be no surprise if he gets a chance in West Sacramento before the season ends.
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