As Spring Training kicks into second gear, we have our first game of the season to look forward to on Saturday. It will be our first glimpse of the arms, the bats, and the gloves that our hopes and dreams this season will rest upon…but no pressure guys. There has been a flurry of ‘minor signings” that may add some competition that we didn’t see coming, but I think we’ll largely see what we expected come opening day with a few interesting twists. Of course, the qualifier that always comes into play is real, and that is “barring injury.”
An early projection for A’s Opening Day roster
Last week, A’s Beat Writer Martín Gallegosgave his thoughts on the opening day lineup. With all due respect for a guy who knows this team better than anyone, there are no bold or wild predictions, just solid insights into the roster skipper Mark Kotsay will likely use to start the season.
No surprises at catcher, we can expect Shea Langeliers to be the starter with veteran Austin Wynns serving as primary backup.
First base belongs to Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz. If heathy, I expect a monster year with no sophomore slump in sight.
Second base will surely go to one of this off-season’s trade acquisitions Jeff McNeil. Coming over from the Mets, he brings a multi-positional resume but will be a real upgrade offensively and defensively over Zack Gelof so until something drastically changes the job at second is his.
The biggest battle this spring will be for third base. We can expect a true competition between Max Muncy, Darell Hernaiz, and Brett Harris. My gut tells me that before his sweet contract extension expires that we might see Jacob Wilson over at third, but I seriously doubt that it will be this season.
Jacob Wilson is pretty much a lock for starting the season at shortstop. The ROY runner-up put together a solid season at the plate and should build on that for 2026. His range is somewhat limited so he may not be there forever but expect him to play a solid short and contribute nicely to the ever-improving offense.
I think we can safely expect Tyler Soderstrom, Denzel Clarke, and Lawrence Butler to roam the outfield on opening day. Soderstrom’s defense was one of the biggest surprises of 2025 having just moved from first base and yet being a finalist for a Gold Glove award. Clarke is a walking highlight reel in centerfield and if he stays healthy will be web gem superstar. Butler is evolving into a team leader and with more plate discipline will continue to grow as an offensive asset to this team. Expect three additional names to battle for the backup outfield roles: Carlos Cortes, Colby Thomas, and Junior Perez.
Veteran Brent Rooker will likely have a lock on the Designated Hitter role, his job for all but twenty-seven games in 2025. With McNeil likely leading off and setting the table for him, I expect Rook and Kurtz to drive in more runs this year than last.
With Andy Ibáñez picked up off waivers from the Dodgers, Max Schuemann was traded to the Yankees. That likely means that Ibáñez will take over the role of super-utility guy for Kotsay.
The starting rotation is far from settled, but all indications are that Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Luis Morales, Jacob Lopez, and recent acquisition Aaron Civale will be the starting five. Civale effectively bumped J.T. Ginn to the bullpen, but it’s a long season so he may still get his shot.
The bullpen will have two fresh faces to start the season. We’ll see Mark Leiter Jr. and Scott Barlow join with Hogan Harris, Justin Sterner, Michael Kelly, Tyler Ferguson, Elvis Alvarado, and Jack Perkins. No closer has been officially named so we can expect a closer-by-committee at least as the season opens.
Only time will tell if this is truly how the A’s start the season, but the great news is, the first pitch is just three days away!
A’s Coverage
- Can Kurtz get his glove to match his monster bat?
- Zack Gelof: Outfielder?
- Athletics 2026 Top MLB Prospects Deep Dive
- A’s Community Prospect List: Baez Takes 13th spot
- Waiting For Gelof: What Do We Do?
- “Relievers Are Volatile”… But Why?
- A’s Trade Mitch Spence to KC Royals in exchange for minor leaguer
- Diamondbacks Claim Grant Holman
- Darrell Hernaiz to play for Team PR in WBC
- Are The Final Two Rotation Spots Really Up For Grabs?
- Story Lines To Watch As Spring Training Unfolds
- A’s Sign Starter Aaron Civale
- Athletics add developmental leaguer in trade with Yankees
- Little Signings Everywhere
- A’s Non-Roster Invites to Keep an Eye On
- A’s prospect Jump impressing in first big league camp
- What to know as A’s head to spring camp with high hopes for ‘26
- A’s Claim Andy Ibanez, Add Scott Barlow In Busy Roster Shuffle
- Extensions For Everyone! (Except Kurtz)
- Managers & Top Front Office Executives On Expiring Contract
- De Vries (No. 4 overall) leads Athletics trio on Top 100 Prospects lists
MLB News and Interest:
- All eyes on Verlander as throwing work begins again in Tigertown
- MLBPA leader Tony Clark resigns after revelation of inappropriate relationship
- Twins right-hander Pablo López has major elbow injury that likely will need season-ending surgery
- Phillies’ Trea Turner Reveals ‘Phone Never Rang’ Despite Interest In Playing for Team USA at WBC
- Bo Jackson rips modern MLB’s home run obsession over batting average
- Buehler joins Padres after years with Dodgers: ‘It feels a little weird’
- Phillies and 11-year-old shortstop reportedly agree on historic $1.8 million deal
- Corey Seager Discusses Rumors of ‘Toxic’ Marcus Semien Relationship After Mets-Rangers Trade
- Steven Cohen: Mets will never have captain while I own team
- Diamondbacks sign veteran starter Zac Gallen to one-year contract
- Cubs ink reliever Shelby Miller to one-year pact
- Bryce Harper addresses comments Dombrowski made about him
- Machaco embraces Dodgers’ big spending ways
- Boone: No restrictions for Judge this spring
- Castellanos embracing move to first base with Padres
- Roki Sasaki working on 3rd pitch
- A.J. Preller agrees to multiyear extension with Padres
- MLB TV strike zone box won’t indicate whether pitch is ball or strike due to ABS system
- Today in Baseball History