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Athletics’ top five rookies of 2016

By Jennifer Rainwater

Jun 29, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Dull (66) is congratulated by catcher Stephen Vogt (21) after the end of the game against the San Francisco Giants at the Coliseum the Oakland Athletics defeated the San Francisco Giants 7 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 29, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Dull (66) is congratulated by catcher Stephen Vogt (21) after the end of the game against the San Francisco Giants at the Coliseum the Oakland Athletics defeated the San Francisco Giants 7 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oakland Athletics
Sep 15, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Ryon Healy (48) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryon Healy was called up on July 15 last season straight from Double-A Midland, completely skipping any stints at Triple-A Nashville.

Upon his move to the majors, the 24-year-old made an immediate impact.

Third baseman Danny Valencia had been struggling at the position defensively and Healy, a third round pick by the Athletics in 2013, was immediately given the role of the Athletics’ everyday third baseman.

After going 0-4 in his big league debut, Healy took off after that. In his next game he went 2-4, with his first big league hit coming off of the first knuckleballer he had ever faced, R.A. Dickey.

Healy took Dickey deep to left for a 366 foot blast, according to MLB’s Statcast for a three-run shot that put the Athletics in the league by the score of 4-2.

“That’s … when it hit me,” Healy said. “I saw the guys standing at home plate and they gave me big high-fives unlike the guys in the dugout, who gave me the silent treatment, which I loved. I actually caught a glimpse of my family when I was running into the dugout, which made it more special.”

That home run would end up being the first of 13 that Healy went onto hit over his 72 games with the A’s in 2016.

Over those 72 games, Healy rarely failed to get a hit, amassing 20 doubles, the aforementioned 13 home runs and 37 RBI.

Healy had a few struggles on defense, committing nine errors, however as Marcus Semien has proven, it takes time to learn and settle into one’s position once hitting the majors.

Healy’s slashline on the year was .305/.337/.524 with a .861 OPS. Imagine if he could double those numbers playing a full season and he came straight to the big leagues from Double-A ball.

He was a true bright spot for the A’s, in what was a not so bright season. He will very likely be the A’s third baseman of the future.