Jack Perkins is a right-handed starter for the Oakland Athletics who made his MLB debut on June 22, 2025. The Kokomo, Indiana native was 25 years old when he first took the mound in the big leagues, and he’s been part of Oakland’s rotation plans ever since.
Background
Perkins was born on December 26, 1999, in Kokomo, Indiana — a Midwest city with a genuine baseball tradition. He worked his way up through Oakland’s minor league system, refining his arsenal and building consistency on the mound before earning his long-awaited call-up in the summer of 2025.
Professional Career
In his rookie season, Perkins showed he could hold his own at the big-league level. Across 38.2 innings, he posted a 4.19 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and went 3-2 with 37 strikeouts — solid numbers for a first-year starter finding his footing.
The 2026 season brought bigger challenges. Perkins nearly tripled his workload to 110 innings, but his ERA climbed to 6.14 and his WHIP rose to 1.48. He finished 3-11, a record that reflected both his own struggles and Oakland’s team-wide difficulties. The bright spot: 127 strikeouts, a number that proves his swing-and-miss stuff is very much still in play.
Despite the rough 2026 campaign, Perkins remains in Oakland’s plans as he looks to recapture the promise of his debut year and establish himself as a reliable rotation piece.
Career Stats
- 2025 Athletics: 3-2, 4.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 37 K, 38.2 IP
- 2026 Athletics: 3-11, 6.14 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 127 K, 110.0 IP
Awards and Records
Perkins has not yet earned any major individual awards or All-Star recognition. He’s still in the early chapters of his MLB story, and the hardware conversation is one for down the road.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Jack Perkins
- Position: Starting Pitcher
- Team: Oakland Athletics
- Number: 50
- Bats/Throws: Right/Right
- Height/Weight: 6’1″ / 220 lbs
- Born: December 26, 1999 — Kokomo, Indiana 🇺🇸
- MLB Debut: June 22, 2025
One Thing to Know
Perkins bats and throws right-handed, which puts him in the smaller group of pitchers who don’t carry a platoon advantage at the plate. It’s a minor footnote — but for a guy still building his big-league résumé, every edge matters. The kid from Kokomo is betting his arm is enough.
