Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Uncustomed Heroes of 2024: Athletics

 

I think it's a better outcome that the last Athletics season in Oakland wasn't a complete failure. Because you think about recent exoduses, and the last Expos season in Montreal was that terrible, the last Astros season in the NL was that terrible, and the last Marlins season before the rebrand was regrettable. But this A's season had more dignity than you might have expected. An honest-to-God MVP candidate with nearly 40 home runs, a Rookie of the Year candidate with some unhittable 100mph stuff, 11 wins out of J.P. Sears and a genuine breakout season from Lawrence Butler. There is genuine promise as this team moves inland to Sacramento, and with a 4th place finish this year, something could conceivably happen going forward.

While Zach Gelof got a ton of playing time this year, Tyler Soderstrom, who came up right when Gelof did last year, struggled with injuries and being blocked at his position. In 61 games he hit .233 with 9 homers and 26 RBIs. I think he just needs a full season with no distractions and something will develop, as it has for people like Butler, Gelof and Bleday.
2024 Prediction: 30 homers and the reins of 1B.

When the A's came to Philly last year I attended a game, and I like that they still commemorate the rivalry from when both teams played in the same city, despite that being like 3 locations ago for the A's. Anyway the A's started Hogan Harris that night, which is funny, cause 'haaa, you're in Philly and you're starting a guy whose name sounds like 'hoagie'', and he did...alright. I mean Harris was a swing guy all season, started some games, longman in others. He walked away with a relatively competent season, a 2.86 ERA in 72 innings, 9 starts. Definitely a handy guy to have around, though I'm not sure how many starts he'll get next year.
2025 Prediction: Whatever role, he'll be a reliable innings-eater for these guys even if the team isn't great.

In the category of 'whatever happened to', Miguel Andujar had an incredible rookie season for the Yankees in 2018, nearly winning a Rookie of the Year. He never really matched up to that for the Yanks after that, due to both injuries and seasons that really just weren't as good. In 2022 the Yanks dumped him in Pittsburgh, and he's bopped around without much notice since then. But this year, the A's gave him a chance for an OF position and he was a decent replacement option. In 75 games, ultimately cut short by an injury, Andujar hit .285 with 86 hits, 30 RBIs and 4 homers. Proof that the man can still produce.
2025 Prediction: I don't even know, man, he's too inconsistent. Uhh...less of a lineup presence but with his occasional moments off the bench?

And very late in the season, the A's brought up their 2023 first rounder, the 6th overall pick Jacob Wilson, to improve the middle infield. Wilson had been hitting .450 in AA and .400 in AAA, and so he was basically ready. In 28 MLB games, the 22-year old hit .250 with 23 hits and 3 RBIs. He's young, he's new to the majors, he's coming into his own. As evident by Butler, Gelof and Miller, he'll get there.
2025 Prediction: ROY candidate.

Coming Tomorrow- Surprisingly a lot of Blue Jays I didn't get to this year.

1 comment:

  1. I try not to like Yankees players... but I liked Andujar's bat. Then he kinda dropped off the face of the planet. Glad to see him pop up in Oakland this past season... and actually perform.

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