(Photo: ozgurmulazimoglu/flickr)

Both A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock were acquired from the Washington Nationals when the A’s traded Gio Gonzalez to them during the off season.

Right-handed pitcher, Brad Peacock, was graded the A’s fourth top prospect by John Sickels and Kevin Goldstein prior to the the season and their second top prospect by Jim Shonerd of Baseball America.

Peacock has struggled this season in Triple-A Sacramento, going 10-7 over 24 games with a 5.92 ERA.  His .352 BABIP and 3.99 FIP still suggest he is having a bit of bad luck, but his 4.23 BB/9 rate suggest he also could be struggling with his control.  He is still striking out a lot of players (9.38 SO/9) and keeping a lot of the hits in the park (.92 HR/9).

He has improved since returning from the All-Start break, going 4-1 over 6 games (4 started) with a 2.78 ERA.  He’s also allowed 15 walks, but struck out 34 over 32.1 innings during that time.

I originally thought that Brad Peacock would be called up to Oakland at some point this season, but I do not think so anymore.  Peacock still has a lot of work to do before he proves himself to be major league ready, especially with the overload of starting pitchers Oakland is soon to have within the next few weeks.

A.J. Cole, also a right-handed pitcher, was named the A’s third top prospect by John Sickels and Kevin Goldstein and their fourth top prospect by Baseball America.

A.J. Cole struggled in Class-A Stockton going 0-7 over 8 games with a 7.82 ERA, .405 BABIP and 4.99 FIP which eventually lead to his demotion to Low-A Burlington.  Since the demotion, Cole has gone 5-3 over 15 games and has a 2.26 ERA, .299 BABIP and 2.64 FIP.  Most impressive is his 9.99 SO/9 and 1.67 BB/9 rate.

At the age of 20, Cole is very young and will not probably not see the big leagues for another 3 years.  I would guess if he is not promoted back to Stockton at some point this season, he will at least start there next year.