Jack Perkins: A 2.35 FIP Is Hard to Ignore, Even in a Small Sample
Jack Perkins is rostered in 0% of leagues right now, and a 2.35 FIP is the kind of number that won't stay hidden for long. The Athletics' right-hander has been quietly effective in a hybrid SP/RP role, and WaiverScout's algorithm is flagging him as a Watch — an early signal worth tracking before the ownership needle starts moving.
The Signal: Elite FIP, Expanding Workload
Let's start with what matters most. That 2.35 FIP suggests Perkins is doing the hard things right — limiting walks, generating strikeouts, and keeping the ball in the yard. FIP strips out the noise of defense and sequencing, and when it sits that far below league norms, it tells you the underlying pitch quality is legitimate.
Equally interesting is the workload trend. Perkins logged 5.3 innings over the past seven days, which is notable for a pitcher who has been bouncing between starting and relief duties. Per CBS Sports, he's already picked up both a multi-inning save and a win in relief this season, suggesting Oakland trusts him in high-leverage spots with extended outings. That kind of usage flexibility is fantasy gold — especially if it trends toward rotation-length outings.
The Box Scores: A Closer Look
Perkins' last five game logs reveal a pitcher who's been used frequently. Looking at the opposing batters faced, the strikeout volume stands out — he racked up 2 K, 3 K, 0 K, 4 K, and 3 K across those five appearances. That's 12 strikeouts total, with the K potential clearly present even if it's inconsistent game to game.
His best recent outing came on April 13, where opponents managed hits but he also generated 4 strikeouts and showed an ability to pitch through contact. The April 16 outing — just 3 batters faced with no strikeouts — looks like a brief relief cameo rather than anything concerning.
Why Nobody's Talking About This Yet
At 0% rostered with stable ownership velocity, Perkins isn't on anyone's radar in mainstream fantasy circles. FantasyPros has his page live but the broader expert consensus hasn't caught up yet. That's the whole point of WaiverScout's early detection — we're flagging the signal before it becomes the narrative.
Perkins was a fifth-round pick out of Indiana in 2022, so the pedigree is modest. But pedigree doesn't throw pitches. A 2.35 FIP does the talking, and if Oakland continues ramping his workload toward five-plus innings per outing, the fantasy profile shifts from speculative reliever to streamable starter — or better.
The Caveats
Confidence here is classified as early signal, and that's the honest framing. We're working with five appearances and limited rolling data. There are no Statcast metrics in the payload to validate the stuff independently, and we won't pretend otherwise. The FIP is tantalizing, but sustainability requires a longer track record.
In the Athletics' pitching pipeline, Perkins is competing for innings alongside arms like Chase Burns, Emerson Hancock, and Michael Soroka. Oakland's willingness to keep deploying him in multi-inning roles is the variable to watch — if that usage holds or expands, the fantasy value follows.
Verdict: Watch
Do not rush to add Jack Perkins in standard leagues. But in deeper formats — especially points leagues that reward innings and strikeouts — he deserves a roster watchlist spot immediately. The 2.35 FIP and increasing workload are early signs that suggest something could be emerging here. Monitor his next two outings closely. If the innings creep toward six per start and the FIP holds below 3.00, the classification upgrades fast. At 0% rostered, you have time — but not unlimited time.