KHRUSHING GOOD TIMES!
(Khris Davis touches them all after slugging a home run on March 31, vs. the Angels!)
Around the Bases We Go.....
Leading Off: Ah yes, it is wonderful to have the A's KD, that's Kris, "Khrush" Davis, signed for a couple of years. The A's and Davis agreed to a $33.5 million dollar extension that keeps Krush in the green and gold until at least the end of the 2021 season. If I understand the rules correctly, the A's could then (in 2022) offer their prized slugger a one-time qualifying offer, at a value set by the MLB. This is great news for an organization that has been known to let it's prime time talent move away. Even more refreshing--Davis' love for Oakland, his teammates, and his modest and quirky personality. A tip off the cap and Happy Easter to Khris, the A's Management Team, and the A's Fans! I will be purchasing a couple KD shirts by the way--especially for my friends and frenemies named Davis!
Rounding First: My of my have the A's missed Matt Olson. While Kendrys Morales glovework has been acceptable--for the most part--his bat just has not played well in Oakland. One home run, 3 RBI's and on-base percentage (OBP) under .300.....Morales seemed like a nice addition after Olson's injury, however at this point, it's time for Billy Beane and David Forst to shake things up.
Turning at Second: Speaking of second, Jurickson Profar is another A off to a underwhelming start. As of April 21, with a batting average under .200, and an on-base-percentage of just .215. JPro is no Jedi (Jed Lowrie) at this point. If it weren't for a couple of games in Baltimore where Profar channeled his inner Jed, well, who knows who would be starting at second base? Profar appears to have all the tools....but to this eye, he doesn't seem to maximize his abilities. JPro is slow out of the box--and this is to be expected when one swings from his pancreas every time. I would love to see JPro think gap-to-gap, and use his speed. His glove work thus far, well, it has been wildly entertaining. Once again, I wonder what Billy and DForst are thinking?!?
Hitting the Bag at Third: I expect Matt Chapman to get back on track here soon. The KD signing, the Chappy Bobblehead Day, the trip to Japan, then Texas, then the East Coast, then Texas again, ish! I expect them to get on a roll here soon, starting pitching or no starting pitching. Next to Chappy, Marcus Semien has been super solid at short. Rumblings seem to indicate he may be the next A to sign some sort of extension. Semien just looks so confident at the field and at the plate.
Touching Home: Prize catching prospect Sean Murphy is raking for the Las Vegas Aviators in 51 at bats--to a tune of a .373 average, and .458 OBP. I say let him have another 51 at-bats or so, then call him up. Murphy and Josh Phegley should prove to be a worthy tandem.
Left Field Notes: Yes it's early, very early. The one glaring need for this team is a true leadoff man. Robbie Grossman has been no Nick Martini. In fact, the A's may have Martini Deuce in Triple AAA Las Vegas right now. The gentleman's name: Mark Payton. Payton, like Martini is a former 7th round draft choice who is also a bit of an on-base machine. In college, at the University of Texas, he reached based in 101 straight games. Martini sparked the A's offense a year ago, (he's currently on the Injured list, formerly called the Disabled List;). Payton is off to a flying start, batting .389 and reaching base at a .460 clip. I would put Mark and Murphy on the same plane headed to Oakland.
*A great place to follow the A's minor league teams is on A's Farm (athleticsfarm.com). Bill Moriarty is the editor and driving force behind A's Farm, and he provides updates and interviews that sincerely are second to none. Bill has signed me on to assist and pinch-hit with covering the A's AAA farm team, the Las Vegas Aviators. It is quite a thrill for me personally--and if you have not already checked out the website, well....what are you waiting for!?
Centerfield-Top Ramon!: Ramon did it again with a sensational, home-run saving catch today (Sunday, 4/21). I was watching the game live, and I couldn't believe he came down with the ball in his glove. Noodles went up, and well above the wall to make perhaps the greatest catch in A's history. For the record, I love the Joe Rudi catch in the '72 series; until today, I ranked Rudi's clutch grab #1. Then Ramon uncorked a crazy throw that nearly landed in Hayward--fortunately for the A's the Toronto runner on first headed for second. Pitcher Brett Anderson backed up first base, and then threw to second, for the routine 8-1-4 double play. For a stretch of games in which the A's have looked U-G-L-Y, this whimsical, comical, unbelievable play is and was a welcome distraction!
Out in Right Field: How about another note about myself. While scouting this spring for a company called Evolution Metrix--another opportunity I wholeheartedly appreciate--I have taken in my share of college and high school games in the Fresno area. One player that stood out--and I mean literally--is 6 foot 5ish lefty Micah Pries. Pries looks like a combination of Mark Mulder and Matt Olson, and wowed the fans at Fresno Pacific University this weekend racking out 9 hits in 4 games. Come MLB draft time, I look forward to hearing his name. After all, it is NFL draft week....and nobody does draft drama better than the NFL. Where and when will the A's Kyler Murray go. (Why not dream BIG!?!) What will Gruden and the Raiders do with 3 picks in the first round? If Murray were to end with the Raiders, could Kyler be this generation's Bo Jackson!?! I am just saying....
Finally, on this Easter Sunday. I hope all of you are blessed and enjoyed this special day. I wanted to point my family wholeheartedly enjoyed the A's-Warriors back-to-back doubleheader. The A's won in a quick quick game over the Angels, then the Warriors took care of business versus the Hornets. If you ever get the chance for two pro games in a day....I say swing away! By the way, Andrew Bogut appeared slim and trim, and when Bogie was in the game, the Warriors really sizzled! Next up, I will have another "From the Bull-Pen" rambling, when naturally, we will talk a little pitching.
(The kiddos and I on March 31, leaving the Oracle after Warriors defeated the Hornets! Love this picture, loved the day! Photo taken by Spouse--love her too!)
No comments:
Post a Comment