White Cleat Beat
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Oakland A’s: Three takeaways from Opening Week

By David Hill

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 02: Ramon Laureano #22 celebrates with Tony Kemp #5 of the Oakland Athletics after hitting a three run home run in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on August 02, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 02: Ramon Laureano #22 celebrates with Tony Kemp #5 of the Oakland Athletics after hitting a three run home run in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on August 02, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Extend Ramon Laureano – now

Ramon Laureano appeared ready to take that next step to stardom for the Oakland A’s. To this point in the 2020 season, he has not disappointed.

To this point, he has been the A’s best hitter, and it is not even close. Over the first nine games of the season, he has produced a .290/.368/.548 batting line with two homers and two doubles while driving in seven runs.

Laureano has also continued his impressive defense. Thus far, he has saved four runs in center and has notched an assist as players still have yet to learn not to run on his arm. He currently leads all AL center fielders in runs saved, range factor, and fielding percentage.

While he is not arbitration eligible for another two years, this is the time to strike. As he continues to establish himself as one of the more exciting young players in the league, his salary is only going to increase. Locking Laureano in now would not only give the A’s cost certainty going forward, but would also give the franchise a budding superstar that they can build around.

Ramon Laureano is an exciting player, a building block for the Oakland A’s. It makes sense to extend him as soon as possible.