Six under-the-radar players to watch in A's spring training games
The A's will kick off a slew of spring training games starting Sunday, finally offering a look at exciting candidates hoping to break onto Oakland's Opening Day roster.There are no shortage of intriguing storylines, like how Matt Chapman rebounds after season-ending hip surgery last year, what newcomers like Elvis Andrus and Mitch Moreland will bring to the club, where top prospect A.J. Puk will slot in and how the A's will configure their newly-revamped bullpen.However, spring training also offers rare in-depth looks at lesser-known players, some who have realistic shots in playing instrumental parts in their club's success. That is surely the case for the A's.Here's a look at six under-the-radar players to keep an eye on as the A's begin Cactus League action this weekend.
Jefferies, 25, is a highly-regarded prospect in the organization that should break out as a key member of the A's bullpen this year. After a standout minor league season in Double-A in 2019 following Tommy John surgery, Jefferies shined at the A's alternate site last summer.
The A's called him up to the big leagues in September, but he was tagged for five runs, including two homers, in his only appearance. However, that's hardly indicative of Jefferies' potential. The right-hander has a lethal fastball-changeup combo, and while his heater usually sits mid 90's, it can tick up to 95-97 miles per hour in short bursts.
Expect the University of California product to tinker with his third pitch, a slider, this spring. If he can add another solid breaking ball option to his arsenal, Jefferies should be one of the A's younger threats in the bullpen this season.
Like Jefferies, Kaprielian boasts fascinating potential as a younger relief option. His story alone is inspiring enough -- injuries, and eventually Tommy John surgery, kept Kaprielian out of the majority of his first three minor league seasons.
After a monitored 2019, the righty impressed at the alternate site and debuted in August, though his 7.36 ERA in two appearances last year is a far cry from what the A's expect him to produce. Although Kaprielian lacks a bit of the allure he possessed as a college standout at UCLA, he continues to show promise with his fastball velocity inching closer to previous form.
If the 26-year-old can boast his secondary pitches and continue pounding the strike zone, he'll be another viable relief arm.
Of all the outfield candidates this spring, Reed, 25, is the only one not on the 40-man roster. The A's liked what they saw from Reed last spring, his first with the organization after being traded from the San Diego Padres, and he continued to impress at the alternate site in 2020.
Reed is 6-foot-4 and his standout speed makes him a strong defender in centerfield, but his arm accuracy also profiles well in the corners. He's a switch-hitter that packs loud contact, but his approach at the plate still needs some polishing.
If he can refine that this spring, he could garner consideration for the last outfield role.
Starting catcher Sean Murphy was late to report to spring training after undergoing surgery in the offseason to repair a collapsed lung. While he's expected to be fine for Opening Day, manager Bob Melvin acknowledged Murphy's workload could be hindered.
That makes the role of the back-up catcher even more important, and newcomer Garcia is a sound candidate to fill it. The A's acquired the 28-year-old backstop, along with Andrus, as part of the trade that sent Khris Davis to the Texas Rangers.
In landing Garcia, Oakland secured a durable presence behind the plate, although the former San Francisco Giant struggled offensively in his two-year tenure across the Bay. Garcia missed the 2020 season rehabbing from hip surgery, but he'll need to improve upon his career .229/.270/.419 line to beat out Austin Allen, the third catcher on the A's 40-man roster.
The A's were eager to get their first look at Rule 5 selection Tom, but they will have to wait as the 26-year-old is dealing with a minor oblique strain. When the outfielder returns though, Oakland will surely want to give him as much action as possible.
Per MLB Rule 5 Draft regulations, since Tom was selected in the major league portion of the draft, the A's must add him to their active roster, or return him to his previous organization, the Cleveland Indians.
Tom, a left-handed hitter, packs high contact and plate discipline to a right-handed heavy Oakland lineup and his defensive versatility, combined with the added Rule 5 incentive to retain him, makes him a must-watch player this spring when he's cleared to play.
OK, fine. Returning for his third stint in the green and gold, Lowrie is hardly underrated to the A's fanbase. However, his chances to make the Opening Day roster actually are pretty realistic, despite the fact that knee injuries have kept the 36-year-old out of baseball for the majority of the last two years.
Lowrie signed a minor league contract with the A's on Feb. 10, and he'll compete alongside Tony Kemp, Chad Pinder and Vimael Machin for a probable platoon at second base. Lowrie has plenty to prove, especially offensively, but it's a challenge the former MLB All-Star welcomes, and one that he is used to.
A's manager Bob Melvin noted the bulk of Lowrie's reps early on this spring will come as the designated hitter and noted he was "impressed" and "surprised" from what he's seen so far from the infielder. The A's have plenty of questions regarding their infield picture come Opening Day, and Lowrie is smack in the middle of it.
