Oakland Athletics Swept by Twins

July 16, 2023

The most anticipated second half of baseball for the Oakland Athletics (25–70) since the 2018 season started with being swept by the Minnesota Twins (48–46). Unlike the 2018 season, the excitement for the second half of baseball in 2023 doesn’t have to do with winning. Instead, it has to do with the emergence of three of the top five Athletics prospects. The Athletics might have been swept in the series, but the young players flashed their talent, and it is something to be hopeful about. The Athletics’ number one prospect — Tyler Soderstrom — and their number three prospect — Zack Gelof — each made their major league debuts in the series. While number five prospect Freddy Tarnok finished his first complete professional inning.

Although the Athletics dropped all three games in the weekend series, there was a palpable difference in the energy and fight the team showed with the young guys present. The team fought back from deficits all weekend. This was reminiscent of past A’s teams who never seemed to be out of any game they played. Soderstrom and Gelof look to continue energizing the team as the Boston Red Sox come to Oakland for a three-game series starting Monday.

Zack Gelof

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Gelof continued his hot play in 2023, which earned him his first professional call-up. He wasted little time in his debut, flying out to right field on the first pitch he saw. Overall on the series, Gelof went 4-for-12 with two doubles and a triple. He was all over the diamond and the score book with two stolen bases, two RBI, and three runs scored as well. Gelof hit sixth and second this series, with second being the ideal fit for him moving forward.

One thing that really stood out was Gelof’s confidence. He came out of the gates hot, swinging at the first pitch in 62.5% of his at-bats. He had a clear approach at the plate to be aggressive and stuck to that, a sign of a mature hitter. Even with the aggression, his chase rate was only 27%, below league average. Yes, we expect Gelof to draw more walks, as he had a .401 OBP this year. But, you would much rather have a player need to rein in his aggressiveness, rather than needing to ramp it up. This is especially true when he is showing he has a strong understanding of the strike zone.

Tyler Soderstrom

Tyler Soderstrom was the most anticipated part of the weekend series. Oakland fans have been longing for the day they would see him in the green and gold since he was drafted in 2020. He didn’t notch a hit in his debut, but he did work a walk in his second at-bat. His first hit came on a checked swing dribbler to third base on Saturday afternoon. Not how he drew it up, but he will take every hit he can take. He later singled to right field in the eighth inning of Saturday’s game.

For the weekend, Soderstrom went 3-for-10. Three singles and two walks helped him to a .417 OBP after his first series in the majors. Showing more discipline, Sodertstrom swung at 37.5% of the first pitches of his at-bats. If the two can continue to stick to their approaches, they look like they can headline this lineup for years to come.

Soderstrom also became only the second Oakland Athletic to start his first three games at three different positions. The first to do it was teammate Jordan Diaz last season. Soderstrom hit DH in his debut, catcher on Saturday, and first base on Sunday. There is a question as to where he fits defensively. Shea Langeliers at catcher and Ryan Noda at first base are currently creating log jams.

Freddy Tarnok

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Overlooked on the weekend full of young prospects was right-hander Freddy Tarnok. Tarnok came to the Oakland Athletics in the trade with the Atlanta Braves for Sean Murphy. He made his debut last season for the Braves but failed to finish his inning. His Athletics debut saw him finally finish an inning. Throwing 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s game, he allowed two hits and two runs on three walks and two strike outs. He also stranded his one inherited runner.

With Tarnok working his way back from injury, the Athletics will look to continue to stretch his pitch count. Most likely to be used in a long-relief role, he did a great job bridging the gap from start to bullpen. He helped keep the A’s close in a game that saw them come back from 6-0 down all the way back to 7–7. If he continues to pitch well, he may be in line to pass Ken Waldichuk and start some games by the end of the season.