Latest from Giants’ Cactus League camp
MESA, ARIZ. » Of all the A’s outfielders competing for one of the final spots on the opening- day roster, none has a better track record of success in the big leagues than Mark Canha.
Acquired through the 2014 Rule 5 Draft, Canha turned in an impressive 2015 rookie campaign that saw him hit 16 home runs and lead all American League rookies with 70 RBIs, numbers fellow outfield competitors Boog Powell and Jake Smolinski have never come close to putting up in the majors.
“I think there’s something to be said about being there. I’ve been there and done that,” Canha said. “That’s a little confidence booster because you never know how it’s gonna go in the big leagues.”
Given the strong performance three years ago, you would expect Canha, 29, to have carved out a spot for himself on the roster by now, but it’s been a rough go for the San Jose native ever since.
Canha virtually missed all of 2016 after undergoing season- ending hip surgery just 16 games in and returned in 2017 playing a majority of the time in Triple-A looking to find his groove that just never seemed to come back after getting called back up to Oakland in the second half.
Now ful ly healthy and looking good at the plate, hitting .300 with a home run and four RBIs through 10 games this spring, Canha is right in the mix of what is shaping up to be a close battle to determine who makes the Opening Day roster as the fourth outfielder.
“The more at- bats he gets, the better he looks. The last three games he’s swung the bat really well,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We’re trying to string some games together and give him some consistent at- bats. When he’s healthy, he can be a productive guy.”
A’s pitching has combined for a team ERA of 6.39 in the Cactus League, increasing the chances of entering the regular season with an eight- man bullpen. That would leave Canha, Powell, and Smolinski really fighting for one spot on the bench.
Canha believes one advantage he may have in the race is the fact he can play first base in addition to the three outfield spots. With super utility man Chad Pinder the only other projected roster member with any experience at first base, Canha may prove to be extra valuable for his ability to fill in for starting first baseman Matt Olson and center fielder Dustin Fowler.
Whether he begins the season in Triple-A Nashville or Oakland, Canha believes the competition among the three outfielders will make them all step their game up.
“I can’t control what’s gonna happen with the competition for those last few roster spots,” Canha said. “I just want to take care of my at- bats and get as many as I can so that I’m ready for day one. Doesn’t matter where you end up. Control what you can control.”
• Facing an Angels lineup that resembled what is the team expects to field on opening day, Kendall Graveman .struggled.
Graveman needed 35 pitches to get through the first inning and lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in a 7- 3 victory.
Making his third start of the spring, Graveman said the chance to face a potent Angels lineup served as a good barometer to gauge where he’s at.
“It really puts in perspective where you’re at,” Graveman said. “There’s more work to do. It’s a good lineup over there.”