A Fresh Athletics Squad Could Surprise Everyone In 2026

When looking at the Athletics for 2026, there’s an outside chance they could get a wild-card birth if everything goes to plan.

The Offense Is Almost, Finally Complete

The Athletics’ success in 2026 revolves around the continued development and subsequent dominance of their star hitters. When looking deep into their lineup, they have perhaps the most complete lineup since their 2021 season.

Reigning Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz is, without question, the powerhouse of the Athletics. The 2024 first-rounder immediately made a statement with the team, slugging 36 home runs with a .290/.383/1.002 slash line. He also showcased solid gap power, hitting 26 doubles and two triples while scoring 86 RBIs. He did struggle a bit with strikeouts, holding a 31% strikeout rate, but that will go down over time.

Rookie of the Year runner-up Jacob Wilson missed part of the season with a broken arm, but showcased a Luis Arraez-type approach to hitting. The 2023 first-rounder slashed a .311/.355/.800 and struck out only 39 times, also leading the league in whiff rate at 9.6%. The only thing he’d need to develop is his power and boost his bat speed, should he want to get more power.

Complimenting the two rookies are the aforementioned Soderstrom, catcher Shea Langeliers, designated hitter Brent Rooker, and speedy right fielder Lawrence Butler. Combined, they hit a collective 107 home runs and 317 RBIs, also including Butler’s 22 stolen bases. There are holes in the lineup, especially at third base and center field, but what they have now is strong on its own.

Life After Mason Miller For The Pitching Staff

The biggest questions for the team lie in their rotation for 2026. No pitcher who started 10 games or more for the team tossed an ERA below four, while the staff surrendered 222 home runs over 1437 innings. They also walked batters at a slightly higher clip than average, and struck out only 8.3 batters per nine innings.

Luis Severino, their premier 2024 free agent signing for two years and $45 million, has not been as advertised. He did toss 162.2 innings but hit 16 batters, leading the league, and also surrendered one hit per inning on average. He also registered the lowest strikeout rate of his career at 6.9 per nine innings.

Former Tampa Bay Rays Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez also struggled in their own right, surrendering a collective 43 home runs in 263.2 innings pitched. Lopez led the team in strikeouts per nine innings and had one of the lowest walk rates, but still held a 4.08 ERA. Springs was good between June and July, but fell apart in August with a 5.04 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.

Elsewhere, the bullpen is now missing Mason Miller following a trade deadline deal for a package of prospects from the San Diego Padres. The good news is that relievers, including Justin Sterner and Hogan Harris, could step up in 2026. Michael Kelly could also slide into a middle reliever role. They will be stretched thin by the loss of Sean Newcomb, however.

Prospects Could Be The Key

For what it’s worth, the Athletics hold a relatively deep farm system that could help plug the holes for a while. It’s not the best class in the entire league, but they could be rather surprising once they get the call to the big leagues.

For their pitching, they do have a few prospects that could see the opening day roster. Newly acquired pitcher Braden Nett, part of the Miller trade, does have some issues with opposing batting averages and walk rates. Still, his fastball is graded as plus, along with a changeup and slider that could be effective with time.

One underappreciated pitcher is right-hander Henry Baez, another San Diego acquisition. Despite struggling with the Athletics system to start, he tossed a 1.96 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP in San Antonio. Gunner Hogland, who did see some playing time at the major level in 2025, could be poised for a breakout if he can piece it together.

On the batting side, Henry Bolte is emerging as a replacement for J.J Bleday after he signed with the Cincinnati Reds. His speed on the basepaths, netting 44 stolen bases in 2025, along with his walk rate and strong defense, could win him a spot on the opening day roster.

Within the next year or two, Leo De Vries, the main piece in the Miller trade, could start at shortstop. At 19, he destroyed pitching with the Athletics, hitting a .281/.359/.910 in double-A with 5 home runs over 21 games. Developing his speed and fielding prowess will be the main focus for the team before he’s ready to come up.

End Of My Athletics Rant

The Athletics are not a World Series team yet, and still quite far from it, given their issues in the bullpen and rotation. Their offense, however, is a different story and could carry them to a postseason appearance. Locking down some of the younger talent is the smartest thing this team can do for current and future players.

The team may trade away a piece or two at the deadline in 2026, depending on how they are performing, for new pitching pieces. Though given their impending move to Las Vegas, they could make a splash in free agency for a middle-of-the-pack pitcher to give confidence to their rotation. The Athletics could be a dangerous team in a few years.