Despite missing the playoffs, the Las Vegas Athletics put together their best season since 2021. Additionally, they saw major contributions from their young core, a promising sign for years to come.
Leading the charge was Nick Kurtz who took home both Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger honors with 36 home runs, 86 RBI's and a.290 batting average.
Additionally, Jacob Wilson finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting, posting an impressive 151 hits in 125 games. Wilson also hit 13 home runs and tied for second in the American League with a.311 batting average.
Tyler Soderstrom also impressed, finishing the season with 25 home runs, 93 RBI's and a.276 batting average. Furthermore, Soderstrom earned a Gold Glove nomination in left field, after moving from catcher/first base the year prior.
With each of these three players being 24 or younger, the Athletics will be eager to lock them up long term. General manager David Forst recently spoke to the media regarding their recent negotiations saying: "Without naming anyone, we’ve made offers,” Forst said. “We’re having conversations here. I’m hopeful we’ll make progress.”
For fans that have seen the team trade away young talent in years past like Mason Miller, Matt Chapman, and Matt Olson, this is an encouraging sign for the future.
That said, the Athletics have to make plenty of improvements to their pitching staff in order to compete at a higher level. Already, the Athletics have signed Mark Leiter Jr. To reinforce their bullpen.
More MLB news:
Baltimore Orioles eye Marlins' Edward Cabrera in a trade to shore up their rotation
Tigers re-sign Kyle Finnegan to a two-year $19 million contract
Former GM predicts the Yankees to land Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Brewers
- Detroit once again showing strong interest in free agent Alex Bregman