Good morning fellow A’s fans.
Pitchers and catchers report today to officially kick off camp! They’ll get a few days of work in before the team’s first scheduled full-squad workout on Monday.
This time of year is always exciting for baseball fans, and this spring marks the first chance to see whether the A’s young squad can build on the momentum from its strong finish to last season.
Unlike the past couple of years, the A’s lineup is mostly set and full of returning contributors. A year ago, Nick Kurtz was a top prospect taking part in his first professional camp. Now, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year is one of the top first basemen in baseball and a key cog of an offense that expects to score often this season.
For two hitters, this will be their first time in an A’s uniform. The club acquired Jeff McNeil and Andy Ibanez to further strengthen the offense, with McNeil in particular representing a clear upgrade from the roving cast of second basemen the A’s employed last year.
With Denzel Clarke likely to man center field assuming he comes through the World Baseball Classic and camp healthy, that leaves third base as the team’s lone position battle. Ibanez could start at the hot corner or slide into a utility role if Max Muncy or Darrell Hernaiz comes out on top. Muncy, the A’s first-round pick in 2021, showed some promise in his rookie season and may have the highest ceiling of the group.
The team’s ability to return to playoff contention will largely depend on the performance of its pitching staff. Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and free-agent signee Aaron Civale are locked into rotation spots. It would be hard to justify not rewarding Luis Morales and Jacob Lopez with the final two slots given how well both pitched last season.
The bullpen figures to look similar to how it did at the end of last year, with the addition of new signee Scott Barlow and potentially one of the young arms such as Jack Perkins or Luis Medina. That said, the A’s could still use another late-inning option. Left-hander Danny Coulombe would be a quality addition, as would right-hander Michael Kopech.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing this spring? Would you rather the A’s stick with the current roster or make another move to fortify the pitching staff? Will elite shortstop prospect Leo De Vries live up to the hype in his first spring training with the A’s?
A’s Coverage
- A’s Sign Starter Aaron Civale
- Athletics add developmental leaguer in trade with Yankees
- Athletics Community Prospect List: Taylor Rounds Out Top 10
- Little Signings Everywhere
- A’s Claim Andy Ibanez, Add Scott Barlow In Busy Roster Shuffle
- Athletics Sign Jacob Wilson to Extension
- Athletics Community Prospect List: Echavarria Takes #9 Spot
- Extensions For Everyone! (Except Kurtz)
- Wilson extension signals shift for A’s ahead of Vegas move
- Managers & Top Front Office Executives On Expiring Contracts
- De Vries (No. 4 overall) leads Athletics trio on Top 100 Prospects list
- A’s Spring Training Report Date, and everything you need to know
- After monster stats as rookie, Nick Kurtz has a new number in mind: 162
- A’s 2026 Roster Prediction
MLB News and Interest:
- Justin Verlander Signs with the Detroit Tigers
- Pirates to sign Marcell Ozuna
- Francisco Lindor injured his hamate bone
- Red Sox acquire Caleb Durbin in six-player trade
- Phillies Looking to move Nick Castellanos this week
- Angels to sign Hunter Strickland to Minor League Deal
- Mets sign outfielder MJ Melendez to 1-year contract
- Pirates, Red Sox among teams interested in Isaac Paredes
- Former speedster Terrance Gore passes away at 34
- Examining Jordan Hicks’ future with the White Sox
- Yasiel Puig found guilty in gambling probe
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
The A’s need Severino to pitch a bit better this year. Can he live up to expectations?
In June, the A’s will play the Brewers and Rockies at their Triple-A affiliate’s ballpark, part of the team’s ongoing push into Las Vegas ahead of their new stadium.
What do you think of the team’s decision to designate Grant Holman and Mitch Spence for assignment? Was it the right call or not?