Hitters show signs of improvement
A week into camp workouts, A’s hitters reacclimating to live pitching — some for the first time in months — are showing signs of getting up to speed.
Manager Bob Melvin said A’s pitchers were “considerably ahead” of hitters when camp opened but the hitting was “starting to come around” this weekend. In a simulated game Saturday, said Melvin, Chad Pinder hit a home run and an RBI single and Khris Davis had a couple of hits.
On Sunday, Pinder singled in his first two atbats against Chris Bassitt, the first scoring Ramón Laureano from second base. Catcher Austin Allen hit a liner off the base of the rightfield wall sharply enough that he had to stop at first base. Matt Chapman homered in the simulated game, first baseman Matt Olson said.
“It’s good to see guys doing that,” Olson said on a video call. “Guys were in a bunch of different scenarios (during the shutdown) where some guys could go hit, some were hitting off a tee for three months. It’s nice to see some results out there from the hitting side.”
Pinder said he spent the first two months of quarantine hitting off a tee and working out in his garage. After restrictions eased, Pinder resumed hitting in a cage and “just tried to stay the course.”
Saturday “was a little better than the days I had prior, but still, it’s an ongoing process,” Pinder said. “I think you’re going to see some transition into the season where people are still tinkering and working on some things early.”
Field notes: Sunday’s 51⁄2inning simulated game was the A’s most extensive yet, and aspects of baseball’s attempt to restart amid the coronavirus pandemic were evident. An umpire wore blue gloves behind home plate. Franklin Barreto wore a mask playing shortstop. Music blared through the empty Coliseum.
Bassitt and Daniel Meng
den pitched three innings each. Olson faced Mengden twice, taking a third strike and drawing a walk.
“The ball was jumping out of his hand,” Olson said. “His arm looks real whippy — you don’t think it’s going to be on you and it’s on you real quick.”
Mengden was sidelined in spring training after a cleanup procedure on his pitching elbow, but Melvin said the righthander is “full go” in camp.
“I didn’t expect him to be as far along as he is at this point,” Melvin said, “but I wouldn’t say there are any restrictions on him.”