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There were no hard feelings, but Mitch Spence’s initial desire was to remain a Yankee.
Spence, a righty starter who steadily rose through the system and had a solid 2023 season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, watched as the organization added pitcher Clayton Beeter and catchers Agustin Ramirez and Carlos Narvaez to the 40-man roster in November.
The trio of prospects, then, could not be selected by other teams in the Rule 5 draft. Spence was left unprotected.
“I had hoped I would get protected,” Spence said Monday from the visiting clubhouse before his A’s beat the Yankees, 2-0. “But obviously, they [have] got to make decisions, and that’s just what happened.”
If there was disappointment, he didn’t need to wait long to feel excitement.
The A’s grabbed Spence with the top pick in the Dec. 6 draft, clearly intrigued by a workhorse who led the entire minor leagues in innings (163) last season.
Spence had struck out 153 and pitched to a 4.47 ERA in an International League that was frustrating pitchers by experimenting with an Automated Ball-Strike system.
Spence, a 10th-round pick in 2019, made the A’s out of camp and has debuted as a swingman out of the bullpen.
He has been solid (4.15 ERA) in a role that is difficult to navigate, throwing as many as three innings in a game and as few as one.
He has leaned on teammate Ross Stripling, who has experience in the spot, and has tried to figure out the ideal between-outing workload.
The 25-year-old is living his dream, even if it is a slightly distorted one from afar.
The A’s are playing home games in a nearly empty and fully decrepit Coliseum as the organization prepares to move to Sacramento next season and perhaps Las Vegas in a few years.
“It’s just something that’s out of your control,” Spence said about the chaos around the team. “At the end of the day, we just come in and try to win baseball games, whatever outside noise is going on.”
The noise would be louder if Spence makes his Bronx debut this week.
Spence won’t be in pinstripes but has kept in touch with his friends in the organization, such as pitching prospects Will Warren and Sean Boyle.
Spence said he had this series circled, but not because he had revenge in mind: His wife’s family is from Long Island and has been eager to see him.
“I think it’d be cool,” Spence said about pitching at the Stadium. “I’m excited to get the opportunity to play here.”
Alex Verdugo (0-for-1, two walks) was the only Yankee to reach base multiple times and is slashing .349/.462/.558 over his last 13 games.
“He’s just been a really good player for us so far. Winning player,” Aaron Boone said before the loss. “He’s done a little bit of everything, whether it’s a clutch hit here or there. Obviously a big hit [Sunday] in the big inning we had. Just outstanding in left field and made some really good plays at big moments, too. He’s been a money player for us.”
Jose Trevino (1-for-3) extended his hitting streak to seven games.
DJ LeMahieu, who is expected to start a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Somerset, took ground balls at third and second base and ran the bases.
