Power Surge: Willingham Flexing Muscles Early

Last season, the A’s hit just 109 home runs as a team. That was just eight more than Seattle’s major-league worst 101, and the A’s ultimately faded out of the AL West picture due to a lack of run support.

This season, with an upgraded offense that includes the likes of Hideki Matsui, Josh Willingham, and David DeJesus, the A’s are hopeful that they’ll remain in the playoff picture for the entire season.

Willingham has played exceptionally well through the season’s first four games, hitting .333/.313/.800 with two home runs and 5 RBIs. It’s definitely nice to see Willingham demonstrating his power early on in the season, and he’s been a bright spot for the A’s offensively so far.

The A’s acquired Willingham through a trade with the Washington Nationals this past offseason, and the A’s are hopeful that Willingham will prove to be an improvement in the outfield. He hit 16 HR last season in 114 games with the Nationals, and should hit near or above that number this season for the A’s.

Offensively, the A’s have scored 17 runs so far, but have committed an uncharacteristically nine errors in the four games played this season. For Oakalnd to succeed this season in the American League West, they’ll need more continued run support and much better defense from their position players. Willingham, however, just needs to continue doing what he’s doing.