Three rising stars for the Oakland Athletics
With spring training underway, each team is filled with hope for a World Series title and fresh faces are ready to make a name for themselves in the majors. After suffering their worst season since 1916 when they were the Philadelphia Athletics, the Oakland Athletics will look to be competitive in 2024.
Here are three rising stars looking to make an impact for the A's in 2024.
Zack Gelof, second base
2023 MLB stats: .267/.337/.504, 14 home runs, 32 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 69 games played
A quick riser through the A's minor league system, second baseman Zack Gelof made his MLB debut in 2023 and made his presence felt immediately for the struggling franchise.
In 69 games played, the 24-year-old slashed .267/.337/.504 with 35 extra-base hits, 32 RBI and 14 stolen bases including becoming the fastest hitter to hit 10 career home runs in A's franchise history, doing it in only 35 games.
With few bright spots on a team struggling to be competitive, Gelof added instant offense and should continue his rise to stardom in 2024.
Currently slashing .387/.441/.774 with three home runs and six RBI in 11 spring training games, Gelof is not slowing down heading into what should be his first full major league season.
Gelof gives A's fans hope that he can be the player they put pieces around in the middle of this rebuild in Oakland and potentially Las Vegas.
Mason Miller, pitcher
2023 MLB stats: 0-3, 3.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched
Another one of the A's prized prospects that made his debut in 2023, pitcher Mason Miller was one of the few bright spots for the team last season.
Forced to miss a few months of the season due to tightness in his right forearm, Miller was able to show that his fastball wasn't diminished once he returned in early September. Effortlessly able to hit 100 mph on the radar guns, Miller has an arm most pitchers wish they could have.
Used as a starter during his debut, Miller was in more of a bullpen role once he returned from injury to help monitor his innings pitched.
After an offseason to prepare for his first opening day roster in 2024, Miller has been lights out in spring training allowing only one hit and striking out seven batters in four scoreless innings for the A's.
Miller hopes to put his health issues behind him as he looks to become a household name this season.
Esteury Ruiz, outfielder
2023 MLB stats: .254/.309/.345, 30 extra-base hits, 47 RBI and 67 stolen bases in 132 games played
Known for his blazing speed and baserunning prowess, A's outfielder Esteury Ruiz is coming off a 2023 season that saw the young outfielder set the American League record for stolen bases by a rookie with 67.
Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-team trade that sent catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves last offseason, Ruiz is proving to be the best player they got in return.
Currently slashing .300/.364/.567 with five extra-base hits and four RBI, the 25-year-old is trying to prove he is more than just speed and defense with a more consistent bat after slashing .254/.309/.345 last season.
If he can continue to improve his contact, his speed alone should allow him to do big things in 2024 for the A's.
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