A’s Dillon Overton speeds to big leagues despite surgery
A’s Dillon Overton speeds to big leagues despite surgery
Yet, here he is in the big leagues just three years later, making his big-league debut against the Angels on Saturday at the age of 23.
Add on the complications of the Tommy John, the challenges of getting to the big leagues in general, that’s really impressive.
Manager Bob Melvin called it “a nice little story,” adding, “Credit to him and how hard he’s worked, and talking to everyone in development, he’s a pretty tough-minded kid.”
Overton doesn’t throw as hard after surgery, but, he said, I’m OK with it.
A lot of them don’t throw 95-100 mph, so I just try to hit my spots and throw what I need to throw to get them out.
Overton said the pitch has helped a lot, opening up the outside of the plate.
Former A’s starter Dallas Braden, another wiry lefty with a good changeup.
Overton said that 28 friends and family members will attend Saturday, including his father, Pat, his mother, Lavon, and his wife, Morgan.
“I was in the stands charting pitches and I kept getting notifications about rumors it might happen, so they were staying up until after the game to see if it did,” Overton said.
When I called, my mom started crying and asked if I was excited.
Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) is likely to go on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster.
Reliever Zach Neal is the best bet to be sent down Saturday.
Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
On Thursday night, each batter in the A’s starting lineup recorded exactly one hit in a 5-4 win over the Angels, the third time in Oakland history that each starter had exactly one hit and the first time since July 28, 1977.