Here we are. MLB Opening Day is upon us here in 2023. 30 teams have their starting pitchers set, and the goal is clear: to win the World Series.
Except if you’re the Oakland Athletics.
Okay, I’m not going to sit here and be Mr. Negative. I will be covering the A’s this season and providing analysis for all 162 games. But, do we truly believe the Oakland A’s are going to win it all this year? No!
Now, it would be nice if they did. But, a young and unproven pitching staff along with a questionable lineup isn’t giving many fans much hope. Pair that with the current stadium situation, and it is a complete mess in Oakland.
However, there are a few things going right for the Athletics. In fact, two players have fans looking forward to this season! Let’s dive into it, before Opening Day in Oakland.
Fuji Has Arrived To Bring Some Swagger To The Rotation
Coming from Japan, Shintaro Fujinami signed a one-year deal this past offseason to join the A’s and bring excitement to this fanbase. It had been a while since the A’s held a press conference for an intriguing player of Fujinami’s status.
The 28-year-old comes over bringing a 2.77 ERA in 2022 playing for the Hanshin Tigers. In his entire career in Japan, the man knows how to win. During his ten seasons playing professional baseball, he has a record of 80-65.
But, let’s just forget about those numbers for a second. Let’s focus on what we saw from him this spring. The first thing to keep note of: he walked 17 guys. Not too bad, until you realize he pitched 18 innings total this spring. Control issues will be something to monitor heading into the regular season, and Oakland will have to hope he can settle down gradually after every start.
However, with the cons comes the pros. Fujinami shows he can help this team win games. In five starts, he was 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA. That’s actually pretty good! Out of all the starting pitchers that finished the season with Oakland in 2022, his ERA would be the best on the team.
Six hitless frames for Fuji ? pic.twitter.com/TQLTJ8MiAl
— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) March 25, 2023
This Athletics team lost Frankie Montas to the Yankees last season. They needed someone to step in and fill the void of someone who has the potential to be exciting and dependable. Enter Fujinami, who will exclusively pitch on Saturdays until further notice.
Speed. I Am Speed.
Oakland fans will likely have to say goodbye to centerfielder Cristian Pache. The team left him off the Opening Day Roster and is out of options in terms of being demoted to Triple-A.
What does that mean? Well, the team has two choices: to trade him or place him on waivers. The centerpiece of the Matt Olson trade is no more, and it’s time to move on. However, there’s a reason why this is the case.
This past offseason, the A’s traded away their star catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves. In return, a package including pitcher Kyle Muller and CF Esteury Ruiz was sent to Oakland. Muller is set to be the Opening Day starter barring any unfortunate circumstances.
But, Ruiz is the main topic here. The 24-year-old stole 85 bases at Triple-A last year. No, you read that correctly. 85 stolen bases. This man is fast.
Esteury Ruiz can FLY (Pt. 2). #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/MtlfUVhc0O
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) March 10, 2023
In comparison, the A’s stole 78 bases as a team last year. Ruiz singlehandedly will make sure the team will be over the 100 mark this year, mark my words.
It’s not just the speed that this man provides. He also hit 16 home runs in the minors last year and showed flashes of his power this spring too.
The dude hitting this stole 85 bases in the minors last year. Esteury Ruiz is an outlier!pic.twitter.com/jS4gNtCRdZ
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) March 28, 2023
This spring, Ruiz hit .317 while driving in 17 runs for Oakland. Also, like Pache, he can play some solid defense thanks to his wheels.
Earlier today, Esteury Ruiz was informed that he was going to make the Opening Day roster.
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) March 24, 2023
If we’re seeing these kinds of plays Opening Day, then it’s safe to say that that’s a good decision. #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/qjZrTLtNNC
All in all, this man has the potential to be a five-tool player. I may be overexaggerating just a tad, but based on what we saw this spring and in the minors, last year, am I really?
Predictions For This Season
I won’t sit here and say the Oakland Athletics are going to win 100 games this year. If they do, my reputation is going to be on the line as are many others.
But, there is hope for this organization if things go to plan. Fujinami and Ruiz are just two of many others who can make a major impact on Oakland. Muller was one of the top prospects in the Braves organization. If he can bounce back from a rough 2022 season, then he along with Fujinami provides a nice one-two combo.
Don’t forget about Paul Blackburn, who was the team’s lone All-Star last season. He was solid and pitching well before the break. After coming back though, things took a turn and were never the same during the second half of the season.
Offensively, newcomer Jesús Aguilar brings some power to a team that hit only 137 home runs last year. Seth Brown hopes to improve on his 25 home runs from 2022, while Shea Langeliers enters his first season as the team’s starting catcher. Don’t forget about fan favorite Tony Kemp, known for his many terrific defensive plays last season.
With that said…
- The Oakland Athletics will win at least 70 games and contend for third place in the AL West.
- Oakland will finish in the top ten in stolen bases.
- Shintaro Fujinami will finish in the top five for Rookie Of The Year.
- The A’s will not be sellers at the trade deadline.
- Ramón Laureano will have a bounce-back season and lead the team in home runs.
- Domingo Acevedo will be the team’s full-time closer sooner rather than later.
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