MESA, Ariz. - Right-hander Raul Alcantara, who could factor in as a starting or long relief option for the A's, is experimenting with a split-finger fastball this spring.
Alcantara, who made five late-season starts last season in his first big league call-up, threw the pitch for the first time to hitters Tuesday, so he's still in the infant stages with it. The A's would like Alcantara to develop a solid third pitch to go with his fastball and changeup, though he does dabble with a curve and cutter too.
"In general, we're looking for a ball that's gonna dive, something where the bottom's gonna fall out," Oakland bullpen coach Scott Emerson said.
Alcantara, 24, faces crowded competition for the No. 5 starter spot with Jesse Hahn, Andrew Triggs and Paul Blackburn among those also going for it. Claiming the last spot in a seven-man bullpen is a possibility, though the A's could surely utilize a second left-hander to go along with Sean Doolittle.
Making Alcantara's case more interesting is that he's out of minor league options, meaning he would need to make it through waivers unclaimed before the A's could send him down.
Alcantara throws a hard changeup that clocked 86-87 miles per hour last season. Ideally, Emerson said his splitter would settle in the low 80's.
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Speaking through interpreter Juan Dorado, Alcantara said he's gradually getting a feel for the new pitch.
"Obviously it's a little more difficult on the hitters to know that there's a different pitch," he said. "They're used to me throwing a fastball, a cutter and a change, and now implementing a split would just help me out to show them something different."
CAMP BATTLE: Lefty Ross Detwiler, who re-signed with Oakland in the winter on a minor league deal, offers depth as a potential swing man who can start or relieve. Detwiler went 2-4 with a 6.14 ERA in nine games (seven starts) last season for the A's. Those numbers look ugly in a short sample size, but Melvin values the veteran beyond what the stats show.
"I think he liked being here and we wanted him back."
QUOTABLE: "I must be a little behind this year because the guys are hitting me a little harder than they normally do. Healy took me over the batter's eye three times in a row." - Melvin, who throws a couple rounds of batting practice every day.
NOTEWORTHY: The A's will hold a pair of two-inning intrasquad games Thursday at the Lew Wolff Training Complex, with both set to start at 11:40 a.m.
