The Athletics were down 11-3 late in Sunday’s game against the Orioles, so rather than strain the bullpen, catcher Josh Phegley had his chance to take the mound.

And he wasn’t bad at all.

Phegley struck out Adam Jones on a high fastball that the broadcast clocked at 86 mph. He retired both batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth.

It’s always entertaining when a position player gets an opportunity to pitch. It’s their chance to show that pitching is incredibly easy, and all those pitchers who dedicate their lives to honing that craft are wasting a whole lot of time.

At least that’s what I’d like to think Phegley’s appearance was all about.

Phegley was actually a solid pitcher in high school and was good enough to earn Mr. Baseball honors in the state of Indiana.