The Athletics might be years away from being a World Series contender, but their future looks awfully promising as a competitive MLB team.
Athletics Slowly Building What Will Be a Strong Team
Playing their second season in West Sacramento after a 57-year stint in Oakland, the Athletics are still going through growing pains as they sit, after 121 games, 13.5 games out of first in the AL West Division and 13 games out of a wild card position.
Despite not being in a pennant race in a season which saw numerous key players go down with injuries, the Athletics have shown to have not only some solid young solid hitters in their line up but also some exceptional defensive players led by the likes of shortstop Jacob Wilson who recently set an MLB record by playing in his 111th errorless game and center fielder Denzel Clarke who in his career has made several athletic highlight reel catches.
While quite a few of their clutch star players are injured and out for the year, they will be back and healthy, ready to go once spring training rolls around.
Among the big bats include one of the most underrated players in 28 year-old catcher Shea Langeliers, who unfortunately back in late July suffered a medial meniscus tear in his right knee which required surgery that will more than likely end his year.
Last season, Langeliers mashed 31 home runs and 72 RBI while hitting for a ,277 batting average. This year, prior to getting injured, this tough as nails catcher was on pace to better those numbers as he had 23 home runs with 51 RBI and a .263 batting average.
Another big bat currently missing from the lineup is 23 year-old 2025 Rookie of the Year Award winning first baseman Nick Kurtz who after playing 99 games where he produced 21 home runs, 69 RBI and a .256 batting average, has been sidelined for several weeks due to a thumb injury and is in jeopardy of not coming back this year.
This young slugger burst on the scene last year where as a rookie played 117 games and had 122 hits, 90 runs, 26 doubles, two triples, 36 home runs and 86 RBI.
A third player with unlimited potential who missed some time earlier this year with hip tightness is 24 year-old left fielder Tyler Soderstrom who has hit 19 home runs, 56 RBI and a .245 batting average.
The Athletics also have many exceptional young contact hitters in the likes of Wilson, second baseman Jeff McNeil and designated hitter Brent Rooker to name just a few.
Wilson, who as mentioned earlier is a wizard with the glove, heads into mid-August hitting ,269 with seven home runs and 37 RBI.
McNeil, who is 34 years of age, and has up to this year played for the New York Mets, has 82 hits along with 4 home runs, 36 RBI and six stolen bases.
Meanwhile Rooker is another valuable player who has fallen victim to the injury bug. This 31 year-old who over the past two seasons has achieved 160 or more hits has this year played only 48 games before having season ending knee injury. During those 48 games, Rooker had 36 hits, 10 home runs and 29 RBIs.
Overall, the Athletics after 121 games find themselves middle of the pack when in comes to offence as they have accumulated 524 runs, 999 hits, 188 doubles, 11 triples, 143 home runs and 502 RBI as a team.
When these young players reach their primes, the Athletics will have a dynamic offence who will cause havoc on the basepaths.
Athletics Need To Improve Pitching Staff
The Athletics biggest weakness is pitching.
Athletics number one starter Luis Severino found himself with a 2-6 record, 4.16 ERA in only 62.2 innings pitched when in late May was put on the disabled list with a shoulder strain which won’t have him back until late August.
Severino is a reliable veteran but might be more effective as a complimentary peace of a pitching staff. What the Athletics are missing which is essential to a Championship team is that bull dog type of pitcher who can rack up 200 plus strikeouts per season while consistently winning between 15-20 games per year.
Arguably, the biggest surprise has been veteran Jeffrey Springs who after going 11-11 with a 4.11 ERA and 138 strikeouts has struggled this season with a 3-11 record and a 6.17 ERA along with 88 strikeouts. Still, Springs is a veteran arm who is valuable to the staff.
The Athletics brain trust have to be encouraged by not only starter Gage Jump, who has gone 5-7 with a 4.46 ERA, but also 27 year-old J.T. Ginn who leads the team with 10 quality starts and 108.1 innings pitched over 20 starts. For the season, Ginn has an 8-6 record with a 3.41 ERA and 107 strikeouts.
Overall, the rotation which also includes the likes of Aaron Civale (5-7, 5.42 ERA), Luis Morales (0-2, 13.50 ERA) and Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.38 ERA) have with only about six weeks remaining an ERA of 5.27 which must improve if they are to take that next step.
Meanwhile, the Athletics bullpen has struggled with a collective 5.65 ERA which ranks them 28th in the league.
Leading the team in saves is Hogan Harris who is 3-1 with a 3.63 ERA and 11 saves. The bullpen has blown 22 saves this year and has a 55.1 save percentage which obviously ranks them near the bottom.
It goes without saying, that the Athletics next step in being a contender is re-tooling the pitching.
Athletics Long Time General Manager David Forst Not Following Team to Vegas
The Athletics have made a shocking move in mutually parting ways with long time general manager Dave Forst.
Forst, who replaced the late Billy Beane in 2015 as the team’s general manager, started off in 2000 as a scout before becoming in 2004 the Athletics assistant general manager.
It’s important to note, that this move was not based on performance but rather on the fact that Forst informed the club of his decision to remain with his family in California and didn’t want to relocate when the team moves in 2028 to Las Vegas.
During his tenure, Forst spent 27 years in the Athletics organization including the 11 as the team’s general manager. Originally, his contract ran until the end of this season but the two sides decided to part ways early.
“It was truly an honor to spend the last 27 years with the A’s, especially the last 11 as the GM, Forst said. “This organization is full of incredibly talented, devoted, and good people, and I am lucky to have worked alongside them for so long.”
For the remainder of this season, Assistant general manager Dan Feinstein has been appointed as the team’s general manager.
Main Image: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
