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2017 A’s pre-spring training second base preview

By Jennifer Rainwater |
Apr 5, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie (8) hits an RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie (8) hits an RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Second base is supposed to be pretty straightforward for the Athletics in 2017, as long as health is not a problem.

Here at White Cleat Beat we’ve  started doing a very preliminary pre-spring training preview of the players who are slated to play for the Oakland Athletics at each position beginning with catcher.

Now we will be moving on to the A’s potential second basemen for the 2017 season.

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Of course, nothing is guaranteed this time of year as training camp and exhibition games begin.

Players can get injured or have old injuries flare up, while non-roster invitees might put forth unexpected performances that are so incredible that they end up on the 25-man roster over a veteran.

In baseball one thing you can usually expect is the unexpected. In a new season anything can happen.

For now, however, here is a preview of what second base will probably look like in Oakland this season.

Jed Lowrie

Jed Lowrie has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries. He was put on the 60-day disabled list in 2015 while with the Houston Astros with a torn ligament in his thumb.

That offseason he was traded back to the A’s (where he spent 2013 and 2014) and had high hopes for a better 2016 season.

Unfortunately for Lowrie that was not to be. After being limited to just 69 games in 2015, he was held to just 87 last season first due to a contusion to his right shin which landed him on the 15-day DL in April and later to a foot ligament injury and a bunion that required surgery in August.

The surgery rendered him out for the remainder of the 2016 season. Lowrie hit .263/.314/.322 with just two home runs and 27 RBI.

Sep 16, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Jed Lowrie (8) fields a ground ball against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Jed Lowrie (8) fields a ground ball against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Still, A’s skipper Bob Melvin has said that even though he will be easing Lowrie into spring training this year, that Lowrie is still scheduled to be the team’s starting second baseman.

Lowrie did have the best year of his career while i7n Oakland in 2013. He played in 154 games and batted .290/.344/.446 with 45 doubles, 15 homers and 75 RBI so the 32-year-old can be quite productive offensively when healthy.

Defensively, Lowrie is versatile and though it’s unlikely he’ll be needed at any other infield positions, he also plays shortstop and third base.

Adam Rosales

Adam Rosales, who recently signed a one-year deal to return to Oakland, is the A’s utility man for the 2017 season. Rosales has played all over the field in his career, but mostly in the infield and specializes in second base, shortstop and third base.

Last season “Rosie,” as the fan favorite is affectionately called in Oakland, played with the San Diego Padres.

Jun 6, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Adam Rosales (17) is greeted by teammates in the dugout after hitting the go ahead home run during the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-4 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Adam Rosales (17) is greeted by teammates in the dugout after hitting the go ahead home run during the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-4 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

He played in 105 games at various positions, hit .229/.319/.495 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI. He’s the most likely candidate to replace Lowrie in the event he isn’t healthy enough to start the season or gets injured during the season.

Joey Wendle

Joey Wendle, a September call-up for the A’s last season, impressed during his 28 games with the big league club.

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The 26-year-old’s got good defensive skills at second and hit .260/.298/.302 with two stolen bases, one home run and 11 RBI.

While playing 128 games with Triple-A Nashville, Wendle hit .279/.324/.452 with 14 stolen bases, nine triples, 12 home runs and 61 RBI.

He’s considered by many to be the A’s second baseman of the future and would be the most likely call-up if both Lowrie and Rosales were unable to play.

Chad Pinder

Chad Pinder, 24, is another potential call-up in the unlikely event that both Lowrie and Rosales were unable to play the position. He’s more of a shortstop, however, he also plays second base.

At Triple-A Nashville last season he hit .258/.310/.425 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI in 107 games.

When called-up in September he played in 22 games with the Athletics batting .235/.273/.373 with one home run and four RBI. He played all 22 games at shortstop and would be the least likely of the A’s potential second baseman but you never know.

In baseball anything can and usually does happen.

Next: 2017 A's pre-spring training first base preview

The A’s need a new stadium, there’s no doubt about that. Yet, will they ever get one? Until then, they will still share the Oakland Coliseum with the Oakland Raiders.

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