Five players & five plotlines
FIVE PLAYERS
Matt Olson
A fractured hamate sliced 34 games off Olson’s 2019, yet the A’s big-hitting, sweetswinging left-handed slugger caught up and kept pace with the rest of the league. He finished last season with 36 home runs, 91 RBIS and a .267 average. With a full season (most likely) on deck, 26-year-old Olson may well be primed for his best season yet. Fangraph’s ZIPS projects Olson to compile 35 home runs and 98 RBIS, and slash .253/.339/.512. Don’t be surprised if Olson smashes those slightly regressive projections and becomes one of the most prolific bats in the league this season — while, arguably, playing the best first base defense in the game.
Marcus Semien
Semien had one of the most surprising 2019 seasons, making just the right adjustments at the plate and practicing just enough patience to earn an 8.1 WAR and career highs in every major statistic (33 homers, 92 RBIS. 123 runs, a .285/.369/.522 slashline and a .892 OPS) that led to a third-place finish behind the Angels’ Mike Trout and the Astros’ Alex Bregman in the American League MVP race. Anything close to replicating his career year could make 29-year-old Semien the hottest free agent piece in 2020 (unless, of course, the A’s and Semien agree to an extension). But, we’re skipping steps here. First and foremost, a repeat season for Semien may act as a key pillar to another A’s postseason rush.
Jesús Luzardo
Let’s consider Luzardo the frontman for a can’t-miss rotation; every summer night may boast a show on the mound. The lefty may be in line for Rookie of the Year consideration. Premature conjecture? Sure. But the 22-year-old displayed young Felix Hernandezlike brilliance with Johan Santana-like confidence in his September debut in 2019. He has the type of breaking ball that is simultaneously unidentifiable in real time (a curveball that sort of slides) and reactioninducing. Luzardo and fellow young prodigy A.J. Puk are coming off injuries that will force the A’s to monitor their workloads closely. But, the sneak peek tells us their performances in any capacity will be events.
Liam Hendriks
Hendriks feels the pressure a bit. The Australian closer hit a perfect balance of calm confidence and ease of effort in 2019 that earned him a league-leading 1.80 ERA and 25 saves. He took a rapid ascent into the closer’s role last year out of necessity when Blake Treinen struggled and fell to injury. He exceeded his fill-in role. Now the question is, can he replicate his 2019?
Khris Davis
It’s hard to replicate outstanding power. Davis hit more than 40 home runs in each of his first three seasons with the A’s -- and somehow also managed a .247 average for those three years (plus a year with the Milwaukee Brewers). But in 2019 he hit a bump. Davis lost himself at the plate and spiraled into a dismal .220/.293/.387 slashline with a .679 OPS. He hit just 23 home runs — 10 came in the first 17 games. The A’s are driving at full force when Davis is seeing clearly from the wheel. Watch for a potential comeback year in 2020.
FIVE PLOTLINES
HOW HIGH CAN THIS ROTATION FLY? This could be one of the most talented rotations the A’s have trotted out since the Big Three toed the Coliseum’s mound. There is talent up and down the line, with high-level talent on the outskirts of it, too: Jesús Luzardo, A.J. Puk, Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, Mike Fiers, Chris Bassitt. The ceilings for Puk and Luzardo look sky high — national recognition could be in order. But, as a collective, this could be a gauntlet up and down for opposing teams.
WHO’S ON SECOND?
A conversation since the December day Jurickson Profar was traded, and perhaps before that. There’s a long list of candidates, and a couple of ways manager Bob Melvin can play it. Will one player win the job for himself or will it be second-base-by-committee? Jorge Mateo and Franklin Barreto are, in essence, fighting for the same spot. Will the winner of the battle be platooning with lefthanded hitters Tony Kemp and Rule 5 pickup Vimael Machin? Where will Sheldon Neuse fit in?
NOW IS THE TIME
The American League West has a crack in its foundation. The foundation, for the latter half of the past decade, was a mighty Houston Astros team. But the sign-stealing scandal might have allowed for a change in the divisional dynamic. The A’s, who have won 97 games in back-to-back seasons, are a little more talented in 2020 and capable of taking the divisional crown.
CHAPMAN, SEMIEN EXTENSION WATCH Marcus Semien is a hometown hero at his peak. Matt Chapman is revolutionizing the way third basemen play their position. The A’s may be looking to commit to a face of the franchise (or more). And A’s fans may want to wear a jersey to the ballpark that represents a player not on his way out the door. There are incentives, but will both sides pull the trigger?
CHAPMAN SUPERSTAR WATCH
Matt Chapman’s performance at third base is a show in itself. When he hits a hot streak, Chapman’s performance at the plate can be just as compelling. He’s an All-star, a Platinum Glover, the de facto team leader and, by all means, a star. But, some injury bad luck and untimely hitting slumps have kept Chapman a notch below superstardom. A hot streak that coincides with a long postseason run might push Chappy over the top.
YOUTH WATCH
Daulton Jefferies, 24: The A’s pitching pool goes deeper. Like its big league brother, the Las Vegas Aviators’ staff could be a can’tmiss show, too. That starts with right-handed Cal alum Jefferies, who has impressed in camp as a pure strike thrower with off-thecharts walk rates. He was the A’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2019 despite performing on innings restrictions after Tommy John surgery. He’s a force and may be the next man up in A’s rotations of the future.
James Kaprielian, 25: Kaprielian is added depth to the Aviators rotation. Also coming off multiple injuries to his throwing arm, Kaprielian is primed for a rise in the minor leagues that could have him on the precipice of a big-league debut in the near future.
Grant Holmes, 23: Holmes, a long-, curlyhaired right-hander, is two seasons removed from shoulder surgery and bounding back into prime form. He has the potential to be a big swing-and-miss arm out of the A’s farm that could be on the express path to Oakland if he is consistent.
Nick Allen, 21: Allen might be a ready-made star defensive infielder, primarily at shortstop, with a Gold Glove on his big league horizon. A slow-developing bat has kept Allen off most national prospect “top 100” lists, but he ranked No. 6 on the A’s MLB Pipeline in 2019. He is improving at the plate, though, and has pivoted away from being a fly ball hitter to committing to an approach that goes gap to gap.
Logan Davidson, 22: It’s rare to see a player make big league camp in his first professional season, but Davidson, the A’s 2019 first-round pick, impressed early in Mesa with his bat. Keep an eye on a rapid ascent for the Clemson University kid.