Oakland Athletics Updates From Spring Training
By Tony Frye
With spring training being relegated to workouts and batting practice so far and no games yet played, it is hard for folks not in Arizona this week to get a good feel for what’s going on with the Oakland Athletics at the moment. Thankfully, we have a great team of beat writers associated with Oakland that are tweeting and reporting like crazy and keeping us all up to date. Today, we’re going to look at some of the updates received from those writers. Let’s begin.
Bob Melvin says that Renato Nunez ripped a 96 mph pitch with sink from RJ Alvarez, blistered it into the gap on Day One. Impressive.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 25, 2015
Joey Wendle - no batting gloves: pic.twitter.com/ofIjm5h5yO
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 25, 2015
Melvin, asked about Brett Lawrie's energy level surpassing everyone else's, says "By a considerable margin. Our fans are going to love him."
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 24, 2015
Melvin still sees Butler as DH vs RH and playing some 1B against LH, with Ike Davis primarily at 1B vs RH.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 24, 2015
Melvin says again Semien gets every chance to win the SS job and expectation is that he will, but it won't just be handed to him.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 24, 2015
Other SS possibilities: Sogard and Parrino. Melvin says Sogard getting a little overlooked but he will be playing a lot at different spots.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 24, 2015
This series of tweets does answer a few questions about Billy Butler, Ike Davis and even Eric Sogard. While I maintain my viewpoint that Billy Butler should be an everyday DH, it is clear that Oakland has a plan that they expect to stick to, at least for the time being. I’m not terribly excited to have Butler spend any time at first base considering his lack of experience at the position over the past few seasons and Ike Davis should probably get a chance to bat against platoon, at least initially, just to see what he’s got. Brandon Moss was often under-utilized against the platoon despite his numbers and with a lineup with much less power, wouldn’t it be wise to see what production they can get against righties and lefties?
Venditte is throwing right-handed to hitters right now. Shortly, he'll face them left-handed. This will never stop amazing me.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) February 25, 2015
Among highlights of team meeting, per Melvin: Stephen Vogt, impersonating Chris Farley, explaining new MLB rules.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) February 25, 2015
No amount of coffee could ever give me as much energy as Brett Lawrie seems to have.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) February 25, 2015
Brett Lawrie: "All the fans there said I was a hockey player trapped in a baseball player's body."
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) February 25, 2015
Venditte is making a big impression on reporters this week, even being a guest on Hot Stove this morning and amazing everyone with his ambidextrous throwing ability. If he can make it to the major league roster this year, he is going to be a sensation regardless of his numbers right out of the gate.
Then there’s Setphen Vogt who is clearly auditioning for the cast of SNL. To be a fly on the wall for his Chris Farley impression this morning would have been a good laugh, I’m sure. Vogt needs to maintain this level of humor and energy in the locker room this year. As the main catcher for Oakland there is a lot of pressure for him to perform at an elite level and to improve upon the overall stats of Oakland’s pitching platoon of 2014. Keeping things loose in the locker room is going to be very important in building that chemistry that critics think is beyond repair this year.
Lastly, there have been many reports regarding Brett Lawrie’s energy and drive. The need to keep him healthy is high but if he can get a full season under his belt with the Athletics, he is sure to be a fan favorite. With all the hustle and energy combined with his potential to match Josh Donaldson‘s numbers, he could end up being a game changer for the Oakland ballclub in 2015.
With so many new faces and a slew of non roster invitees, this is going to be a spring training to watch closely. If you don’t follow the beat writers on Twitter, you should and if you don’t have Twitter, be sure to keep coming here as we compile their updates.