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Zack Gelof considered Oakland A’s best option for Rookie of the Year

By David Hill

Oct 26, 2022; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Oakland Athletics infielder Zack Gelof for the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League baseball game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2022; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Oakland Athletics infielder Zack Gelof for the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League baseball game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Zack Gelof is expected to be a key part of the Oakland A’s future. That future could happen as soon as next year with an immediate impact.

His impact could lead to an award as well. MLB.com made a list of the most likely players on each team to contend for the Rookie of the Year awards in 2023 with Gelof named as the A’s candidate.

Oakland A’s have spots open for Zack Gelof

It appeared likely that Gelof would make his major league debut last season. He had been on fire to start the 2022 season at Double-A until a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder slowed his ascent. Gelof was still able to make another brief appearance at Triple-A last season, impressing at the highest level of the minors in his nine game trial.

Gelof certainly had the type of production that would warrant such hopes for his Rookie of the Year candidacy next season. He posted a strong .270/.352/.463 batting line with 18 homers and 17 doubles in his 440 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A while stealing ten bases. His solid all around game would certainly be valuable for an A’s team in desperate need of help in the lineup.

The A’s also have places open in the lineup for Gelof. He has spent most of his time at second and third, two areas of need in Oakland. After the A’s used eight different players at the hot corner, including two that are heading to Japan for 2023, Gelof could be the long term answer.

At the same time, it would not be a surprise if Gelof started the 2023 season at Triple-A. He has fared well in Las Vegas with a .340/.392/.702 batting line with five homers. However, that has also occurred in a small sample size of 52 plate appearances. Gelof spending another month or two in Las Vegas before heading to Oakland is not outside the realm of possibility, especially if the A’s can manage another year of team control.

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Zack Gelof appears to have a bright future in front of him with the Oakland A’s. That future could begin with a run at the AL Rookie of the Year award.