Projecting the Oakland A’s Opening Day lineup
It is going to be difficult to tell the Oakland A’s without a program this year.
Familiar faces are already gone. Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, and Chris Bassitt have been traded away. Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas are likely to follow them soon. Rumors have surrounded Sean Murphy, Lou Trivino, and Ramon Laureano. More trades seem inevitable, either before Opening Day or shortly thereafter.
An early look at the Oakland A’s Opening Day lineup
Those trades have already led to plenty of openings on the A’s depth chart. As it currently stands, the A’s do not have anyone listed on their depth chart at first, second, or third base. Chad Pinder is listed as the starter in both left and center. Plenty of players will need to be added to the roster in order for the A’s to have a full team come April 8.
What will the Oakland A’s starting lineup look like on Opening Day? Let’s take a guess as to the starting nine come April 8.
Catcher – Sean Murphy
For all the chatter about Sean Murphy being traded by the Oakland A’s, it just does not make sense. He still has plenty of team control left, and as a Gold Glove winning catcher, will be extremely valuable to the roster. Add in his solid power, and he is likely to slot in the middle of the lineup. If his luck with the batted ball improves, Murphy could have his breakout campaign in 2022, cementing his place as a building block for the A’s.
Designated Hitter – Eric Thames
Eric Thames has been a dangerous middle of the order hitter in the past. He belted 31 homers for the Brewers in 2017 and hit 25 homers in 2019. Injuries have hindered him since, including his time in Japan last year, but there is still hope that he can be a powerful bat in the lineup. Although he is 35 years old now, he is likely to get a chance to prove he can still be that slugger for the A’s.
First Base – Billy McKinney
Billy McKinney is another recent minor league signing by the Oakland A’s. A formerly well regarded prospect, he has had flashes where he showed that potential. However, he has not had much of an opportunity despite his potential leading to his bouncing through eight different organizations since being drafted in 2013. Now that he is back in Oakland, it is possible that he finally gets his chance.
Second Base – Tony Kemp
It is entirely possible that Tony Kemp is the A’s best hitter in 2022. He had a breakout campaign in 2021, showing the potential to be more than just a platoon player. Kemp will get the opportunity to prove that his impressive showing last season was not a fluke, as he will be needed atop the A’s batting order.
Shortstop – Elvis Andrus
The A’s would love for this spot to be taken over by Nick Allen, but that would involve finding a taker for Elvis Andrus. There is a better chance of my winning PowerBall than that happening. Unless a miracle happens and some team is that desperate for a body at short, Andrus will be at the position on Opening Day.
Third Base – Kevin Smith
Another formerly well regarded prospect who had cracked the top 100 prospect lists in the past, Kevin Smith was blocked in Toronto. While there are questions as to whether or not he will hit enough to be more than a utility player at the major league level, he will get his chance in Oakland, likely keeping the seat warm for Zack Gelof.
Right Field – Stephen Piscotty
The Oakland A’s are in the same situation with Stephen Piscotty as they are with Elvis Andrus. They would love to part with his contract, but after three subpar seasons and his injury history, that is an impossibility right now. Maybe the A’s can trade him at the deadline if he proves to be healthy, but that is a longshot.
Center Field – Cristian Pache
Cristian Pache is another example of the type of prospects that the A’s have added. He is a possible Gold Glove caliber outfielder, but there are questions as to whether or not he will hit enough to be a major league starter. As Ramon Laureano still has time to serve for his PED suspension, Pache is going to have a golden opportunity at the start of the year to prove himself at the major league level.
Next. A's need Piscotty to rebound in 2022. dark
Left Field – Chad Pinder
Chad Pinder has been extremely valuable for the A’s due to his ability to fill in around the diamond. While that versatility allowed Pinder to be in the lineup nearly every day when he was healthy, he is likely to get a look at a more defined role in 2022. That role may well come in left field, a position where Pinder has made most of his major league appearances.