Outfield Update: Speed Never Goes in a Slump
Even with both starting outfielders Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick nursing spring injuries with hopes of still being in the opening night line-up, the Oakland Athletics outfielders are set to be one that covers a lot of ground.
Reddick suffered an oblique strain during the first week of March and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Recently the former Gold Glover stated he could be back by the April 6 opener vs. the Rangers as he rehabs the next two weeks.
More from Oakland A's News
- Zach Logue yet another disappointing Oakland A’s trade return
- Luis Barrera heading to familiar foe in Los Angeles Angels
- San Francisco Giants showing Oakland A’s offseason could be worse
- Lucas Luetge what Oakland A’s need in bullpen
- Oakland A’s bring Deolis Guerra back on minor league deal
Crisp, a 13-year MLB veteran, will move from his familiar centerfield to left this season according to A’s manager Bob Melvin. The team feels the move will help keep Crisp off the disabled list, especially after his neck injury sidelined him repeated times last year.
At the height of his career, Crisp, now hampered with an elbow injury as he attempts to get ready for the season, was considered a good base-stealer and a generally aggressive base runner. He also owns the A’s franchise record for most consecutive stolen bases without being caught. We’ve all seen how he can get to the ball and, though below average with his arm, is willing to do what it takes make a catch or cut a bll off in the alley.
With Crisp in left, the A’s have two very proficient center fielders in Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry, both speedsters. The duo is expected to platoon in centerfield this year. Fuld, now listed as day-to-day since getting whacked in the jaw by a throw, is an all-out player and both Gentry and Fuld are better-than-average fielders.
With a healthy team, Crisp, Gentry/Fuld, and Reddick is the evident patrol as the starting three in the outfield. But speed burner Billy Burns is having a fantastic spring at the plate hitting an unbelievable .415 so far as Melvin has also given him the most at-bats than anyone else on the team. With Gentry hitting a measly .219, he may get the right-handed nod despite his lack of playing experience.
But even if Reddick and/or Crisp aren’t healed or ready by April 6, a Burns-Fuld-Gentry outfield would be very solid defensively.
Even Ben Zobrist, acquired by the A’s in the offseason, who is expected to mostly play second base this season, but with the Reddick injury has seen time in right field and is no slouch on foot defensively with a career .996 outfield fielding average. (along with consistent hitting this spring)
There is a baseball saying that speed never goes into a slump. However, there are plenty of players who are fast, but not all are great defenders – meaning if speed is a gift, don’t rely just on speed, know how to be a smart defender too.
If the A’s outfield can be both, then this season they’re game changers in the outfield.