Oakland once again boasts power hitters to spare
OAKLAND >> Frankie Montas will be the starting pitcher on opening day, but who will be behind him when the A’s host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday?
Let’s have a look at the lineup, as predicted by ... me.
1. SS MARCUS SEMIEN >> Lost in the mad rush of summer camp and a looming opening day is Semien’s
unique free agency outlook. A big offseason payday — from the A’s or another team willing to spend — depends on Semien replicating his MVP-caliber 2019 season. Only, he’ll have 60 games (if that) to maintain his value as one of the best shortstops in the game.
Maybe that’s a concern for another day, but look for Semien atop the lineup to dig even deeper off a season in which he put up a 8.9 WAR, a slash line of .285/.369/.522 with a career-high .892 OPS and 33 home runs. 2. 3B MATT CHAPMAN >> Chapman’s competitive nature flashed in his first conversation with reporters regarding the coronavirus testing delays. In so many words, Chapman blamed the A’s organization for not operating with the urgency he believes this team deserves. “We’re not just some other team,” he said. “We consider ourselves one of the best teams in the big leagues.”
The 27-year-old is on a fast career trajectory, so can you blame him for wanting to get into the batting cage as soon as possible after a four-month delay? Back-to-back Platinum Glove awards cemented him as the most dominant and compelling defensive player in the league. Injuries and fatigue took a toll at the plate in September. If he can put together the June and July he had in 2019 in this 60-game sprint, he could be at the MVP conversation’s forefront.
3. 1B MATT OLSON >> Olson is a cleanup hitter on any other team, but in this A’s lineup the slugger is third up. He’s one of the A’s few left-handed bats on the roster, but he might be the ultimate one. Not to mention, he’s one of the best defensive first basemen in baseball.
Expect Olson to have a breakout season at the plate as a potential MVP candidate after spending his earliest years toiling in the platoon saloon. He tied for 18th-most in MLB with 36 home runs despite missing the first 35 games of 2019 recovering from a fractured hamate. It may be no coincidence that the A’s slow start last year sped up when Olson returned.
4. DH KHRIS DAVIS >> Davis wasn’t himself for most of last season; a hip-to-rail collision in May knocked the ‘Khrush’ out of being the one-time home run leader. After falling down the rabbit hole of injury and doubt, he delivered a disappointing 23 home run season.
Davis said he’s regained his confidence, and the pressure is off after watching his teammates carry the A’s to a second-straight wild-card berth. That mix could bring the 32-year-old Davis — in the first season of his two-year, $33.7 million contract extension with the A’s — back from a 2019 low in which he batted .220 with a .679 OPS.
5. LF MARK CANHA >> Canha went from fill-in first baseman to everyday outfielder in 2019. He solidified his starting role after becoming one of the most disciplined hitters in baseball as spring turned to summer, hitting .273 with 26 home runs and a .913 OPS in 126 games. His teamleading .396 OBP perhaps is most indicative of plate discipline.
Even against right-handers, Canha could be irreplaceable in the lineup. He could DH and play first if the A’s need to plug switchhitter Robbie Grossman into left field against righties, or to amplify the outfield defense. Andrew Heaney, the Angels’ opening day starter, is left-handed, so expect Canha here to start.
6. CF RAMÓN LAUREANO >> Laureano has already been photographed robbing summer camp home runs over his favorite wall in center field. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Though, he acknowledged that his route running could use some tweaks. For all the spectacular plays he can make with his athleticism and arm, his first read and jump backward puts him at -5 outs above average, per Statcast. His solution: position himself further back.
Laureano’s aggression on the basepaths and at the plate adds an essential dynamic to this lineup. His all-out approach put him on and off the injured list last year, but he managed 24 home runs and a .288 average in 123 games.
7. RF STEPHEN PISCOTTY >> Finally off the injury merry-go-round, Piscotty entered camp swinging and locked in, according to coaches and his teammates. The Bay Area native and Stanford graduate made some tweaks to his swing, and he’s hoping the results could push him back into his 2018 form.
8. C SEAN MURPHY >> Perhaps Murphy could land higher in the lineup, but the upside to incredible depth is a lineup flip that includes a possible rookie of the year candidate batting from its bottom.
Murphy is known for his defensive work, but has potential for serious power, too. He hit four home runs in his call-up last season, averaging 94 mph exit velocity on fastball offerings. He hit an offspeed pitch for a home run, too.
9. 2B FRANKLIN BARRETO >> Barreto gets the nod because he is right-handed, and the A’s are slated to face Angels left-handed pitcher Heaney on opening day. Manager Bob Melvin has strongly hinted that second base will be platooned to start the season, at least, and Barreto has had his typical strong showing at camp.
Left-handed hitter Tony Kemp should be his platoon partner against righthanded pitching. Having speed at the ninth spot sets the A’s up for a backto-back leadoff hitter special, essentially.
WHAT ABOUT... >> Chad Pinder? Manager Doug Melvin said he can’t remember the last time the right-handed utilityman recorded an out. In a 60-game season, the A’s might find it necessary to play the hot hand more than in a 162-game marathon. Pinder would be an everyday starter on any other team, but is without an everyday role on the A’s. With wins at a weighted value, the A’s might find a way to get Pinder in the lineup with more regularity.
Though he’s lacking reps at second base — he’s putting in work there during camp — he can play any position.
OPENING DAY STARTER >> Frankie Montas.
Montas might be the ace of the staff until Jesús Luzardo can stretch out and challenge Montas for that spot. With a chip on his shoulder and confidence at a career high, Montas was the clear choice to start the A’s season on the right foot.
BENCH >> Backup switchhitting catcher Austin Allen, switch-hitter Vimael Machin (who has been a “machine,” Melvin says.), left-handed outfielder Seth Brown.
TAXI SQUAD >> Catcher Jonah Heim, right-handed pitchers Daniel Gossett and Paul Blackburn.