There may be plenty of questions about the Oakland A’s going forward, but that is not the case in one aspect of the game.
Even with Matt Olson and Matt Chapman elsewhere, the A’s have proven they can still flash the leather. Ramon Laureano and Sean Murphy are still on the roster, with Murphy having already won a Gold Glove and Laureano someone who should earn one in the future.
Oakland A’s have defense locked down
The younger players fit that mold as well. Nick Allen had been regarded as a future Gold Glove caliber shortstop from the moment he was drafted as he was already close to major league ready with the glove. Shea Langeliers is another solid defensive catcher, one that could carry on that Gold Glove mantle that Murphy will leave behind.
Other players that had come through the A’s earlier this season fit that bill as well. Cristian Pache and Kevin Smith had performed well defensively before their inability to hit led to their return to Triple-A. Cal Stevenson, the A’s latest young hopeful, has already made an impact with the glove as well.
Clearly, there is a bright future defensively in Oakland. If the A’s can get enough pitching, the defense will be able to make it stand up. The only questions are whether or not the A’s have those arms needed to compete at the major league level and if those excellent defensive prospects can actually hit the ball.
That is going to be the issue. Aside from Langeliers, there have been questions about each of those players’ ability to consistently produce at the plate. That defense will give these players a chance, but the A’s cannot win a ballgame 0-0.
There are plenty of questions about the Oakland A’s lineup going forward. However, one thing is clear – they are going to play excellent defense.