MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Byrnes

Changes had to be made! After being within a game of the AL West lead, the Athletics lost 2-of-3 against the Yankees and the last two games in L.A. versus the Dodgers.

They continued to implode, being swept in a three-game set in San Francisco and losing all four games against the Angels at home.

Changes had to be made as fans and media have begun to question the decisions Manager Mark Kotsay makes regarding his pitching staff and the usage of everyday players. Kotsay and the A’s headed into the Philadelphia series on a nine-game losing streak, and the bleeding didn’t stop until the series finale.

Kotsay has enjoyed the benefits of having his hitting coach, Mike Aldrete, and his offense playing well. Still, between pitching coach Scott Emerson’s player preparation and Kotsay’s overuse of young talent, the questions are growing louder.

Kotsay felt the heat, and he responded in kind.

Longest-tenured Athletics player, LF Seth Brown, was designated for assignment before the start of the series against the Phillies and, after clearing waivers, was sent outright to AAA Las Vegas two days later. He was batting .212 and had more strikeouts than hits for the year.

Miguel Andujar began spring training hot, took Brown’s starting job, and by getting hits in 31-of-41 games so far this season, Kotsay had no need for Brown to hold onto the roster spot.

Andujar is currently on a 12-game hitting streak and batting an outstanding .318.

Another eye-opening demotion was starting CF JJ Bleday. After a 2024 season that saw his power numbers reach 43 doubles, four triples, and 20 home runs, he was hovering around the Mendoza line (.204).

A’s #5 prospect CF Denzel Clarke was promoted to West Sacramento, but his series against the Phillies was a disaster. He went 0-for-10 with nine strikeouts, and Bleday may be back with the Athletics sooner than later.

Left-handed starter Jacob Lopez returned to fill a rotation spot, and after allowing his pitcher to walk three and give up three earned runs in 1/3 of an inning, Kotsay demoted reliever Carlos Duran with a healthy 81.00 era.

Catcher Willie MacIver was batting .389 in the Pacific Coast League and was promoted to backup A’s starting C Shea Langeliers. While he had a hit in four at-bats, MacIver’s arm had already made A’s fans excited when he threw out Phillies PR Johan Rojas to notch the victory and halt the A’s 11-game losing streak. Langeliers doesn’t scare anyone with his arm and gave up another five stolen bases in the first two Philly games, so a runner being thrown out was nice to see. MacIver also had the go-ahead Rbi hit that decided the 5-4 outcome.

Backup C Johnny Pereda was optioned to Vegas to make room on the roster.

The A’s selected the contracts of 1B Logan Davidson, who batted .500 with a double and two Rbi’s versus Philly, and 3B CJ Alexander, who showed his hitting prowess by going .667 versus the Phillies.

Starting 3B, Gio Urshela was placed on the 10-day IL, and 2B Zack Gelof was extended and placed on the 60-day IL to complete the changes.

Athletics Batting:
As a team, the Athletics batted over .280 for the second consecutive series, and their bats continue to give the team chances to secure wins.

SS Jacob Wilson continues to succeed at the plate, reaching base in 8-of-13 plate appearances and increasing his batting average to .350. His average is 3rd in MLB, and he is 2nd in the majors in hits with 70.

Right fielder Lawrence Butler has an eight-game hitting streak and has earned his leadoff spot back. He pounded the ball by hitting three doubles and a triple in his 13 at-bats versus Philadelphia.

In his last five games, rookie 1B Nick Kurtz is 7-for-17 with four home runs, five walks, and nine Rbi’s. He pulled up lame with a hip flexor injury in the 10th inning of the 9-6 loss in game 2 and is listed as day-to-day.

Keep an eye on Tyler Soderstrom! He had only one hit in the series, with six strikeouts, and he was fooled repeatedly with breaking pitches.

Athletics Pitching:
While LHP Jacob Lopez lost his start in the series opener, we got a glimpse of his potential.

Lopez went seven innings, giving up a solo home run among three hits, one earned run and struck out eight Phillies.
Kotsay has been all over the map with his relievers.

Interestingly, Kotsay was ejected on Sunday, and the preferred “setup to closer” duo of Tyler Ferguson and Mason Miller was utilized, resulting in a hard-fought win.

With a team ERA well north of 5.00, A’s pitching prospects who are having good starts are being moved up.

A pitcher to watch is Athletics #4 overall prospect Luis Morales, who was recently promoted from AA-Midland. After going 3-1 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP, he was promoted to AAA-Las Vegas, where he pitched six no-hit innings with seven strikeouts.

With a 99 mph fastball among his five pitches and an underwhelming rotation in West Sacramento, Morales may be fast-tracked to the majors sooner rather than later.

Sutter Health Park Notes:
Wind swirling off the American River has made already difficult fly balls (in the sun) a next-level adventure.

Players on both sides lost balls due to the wind and sun.

Pitchers noted that the part of the mound where the front foot is planted has been like cement, forcing them to “arm throw” for most of the game.

Sutter Health Park groundskeepers are taking steps to loosen the soil up and make the mound more consistent with the rest of the league.