Oakland Athletics vs. Giants Position-By-Position Breakdown: Who Wins?

The preseason Bay Bridge series is upon the Oakland Athletics.

Finally, baseball is back in the Bay Area!

In honor of tonight’s matchup, we will take a position-by-position breakdown of both the A’s and San Francisco Giants. Will even-year magic propel the Giants this year? Or will the A’s bounce back after an offseason full of jitters?

Catcher: Stephen Vogt vs. Buster Posey*

Buster Posey is an obvious winner here. He is the best catcher in baseball. Both Stephen Vogt and Posey were All-Stars last year, and Vogt does own more triples (three) than Posey (zero), but that’s about where the comparisons end.

Advantage: Giants

* * * * *

First Base: Yonder Alonso vs. Brandon Belt*

Two excellent defensive players, these two both earned a .997 fielding percentage last year at first base. Both of these players also suffered from injury last year, but Brandon Belt was able to stay on the field longer and play in 34 more games than Yonder Alonso.

Offensively, Belt has a lot more pop, and he hit 18 homers last year vs. Alonso’s five. He also hits for better average and slugging. Belt strikes out three times more often than Alonso, but all other offensive numbers point to Belt as the superior hitter. Both players are poised for a breakout year, with both on the right side of 30 – but Belt is a better player than Alonso overall.

Advantage: Giants.

Next: A's vs. Giants: Second Base, Shortstop and Third Base