Oakland Athletics: Ryon Healy Quietly Breaking Out
By Joey Lopez
The Oakland Athletics were surprised by the emergence of Ryon Healy last season, but no one seems shocked by Healy’s breakout season this year.
Ryon Healy’s strong first half should not come as a surprise to anyone this year. Many people around baseball pegged Healy as a potential breakout star.
Last season, Healy put together a nice debut hitting .305/.337/.524 with 13 HR and 36 RBI in just 72 games.
This year, Healy is slashing .284/.313/.545 with 17 HR and 42 RBI through 68 games. He’s gotten better and his power has been impressive.
The cavernous Coliseum isn’t usually regarded as a great place to hit, but Healy has enjoyed his time at home. He’s collected 12 of his 17 home runs at home.
He’s also hitting .331 at the Coliseum compared to just .243 on the road.
Early Struggles Didn’t Matter
He struggled a bit to start the season, but is surging right now. He’s hit 8 home runs in the month of June while batting .324. Even more impressive is the fact that Healy tends to be penciled in near the bottom of the lineup.
Imagine if Bob Melvin decided to move Healy up in the lineup. His offensive numbers could be even more impressive than they already are.
With the addition of Matt Chapman, who slots in at third base, the A’s are beginning to showcase a much younger lineup. Healy, though, has emerged as a quiet leader for the young squad.
Healy should be, in all fairness, considered a potential All-Star. For the type of recognition Yonder Alonso has been getting for his strong first-half, Healy has been equally impressive. A slow start did not destroy Healy’s confidence in himself.
He’s collected three multi homer games in the month of June and is helping anchor an A’s offense that thrives on the long ball. Throughout the year, Healy has helped guide the A’s offense when veteran players like Rajai Davis, Matt Joyce and Stephen Vogt have struggled.
Healy has established his presence, rather quietly, in Oakland. It’s not surprising to see Healy succeed, but it is surprising to see very little media coverage around his numbers.
At this point, though, the A’s don’t mind. Healy is putting together a nice, productive 2017 campaign while flying under the radar. A new energy surrounds the A’s and Healy is partly responsible for the team’s recent surge.