Oakland Athletics: Stock up, stock down
In the middle of one of the worst seasons in major league history, the Oakland Athletics are 28-75 entering Wednesday and have a run differential of -259 with 59 games left to play in 2023. With the lowest payroll in baseball and a farm system ranked toward the bottom of the MLB, it doesn't look like things will get better for the Athletics in the near future.
Plus, with their future in Oakland up in the air, the Athletics are not giving fans much reason to come to support them as the season wears on.
Here are the Athletics trending up and down in 2023.
Stock up
JP Sears, pitcher: Acquired from the New York Yankees at the 2022 trade deadline, Sears has provided the A's with quality pitching that they have been lacking.
The 27-year-old left-hander is in the middle of his first season as a full-time starter in the MLB, and he is proving that he belongs.
While he is only 1-7, Sears has posted a 4.19 ERA over 111.2 innings pitched and has improved on his ability to miss bats with a solid uptick in strikeouts. After posting a 6.56 K/9 in 2022, Sears is at 8.14 K/9 this season.
Rookie hitters: Rookie first baseman Ryan Noda and outfielder Esteury Ruiz have been a couple of the bright spots for the A's as they power through this tough season.
Both hitters are currently on the injured list but have had breakout seasons for the A's.
Claimed off waviers this offseason, Noda is slashing .229/.375/.418 with 29 extra-base hits, 38 RBI and is tied for sixth in the MLB with 60 walks. The power-hitting first baseman has been a pleasant surprise for A's in 2023.
Another breakout player in 2023, Ruiz was acquired this offseason in the trade that sent catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves.
He has hit .257 with 21 extra-base hits and 35 RBI out of the leadoff spot in the lineup. He is also second in the MLB with 43 stolen bases in 2023, which paces the AL.
Stock down
Ken Waldichuk, pitcher: Coming over to the A's with Sears, Waldichuk has struggled in 2023. Currently 2-6 with a 6.38 ERA, he has allowed 99 hits in 84.2 innings pitched with opposing hitters batting .295 against the lefty.
Splitting time between the starting rotation and the bullpen, the A's are trying to find spots to use Waldichuk to help build up his confidence and return to the form that saw him sail through the minor league system, but it's not working.
Waldichuk will need to prove himself over the rest of the second half if he wants to be a part of the A's future plans.
Veteran hitters: With expectations low entering the 2023 season, the A's have to be disappointed with the production from their higher-paid players.
Veterans Tony Kemp, Ramon Laureano and Aledmys Diaz are having forgettable seasons for the A's.
The three have combined to hit 10 home runs and 52 RBI, with Laureano having the highest batting average of the three at .212.
With a barren farm system, the A's are stuck marching these guys out there every day as their historically bad 2023 continues.
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