Happy Wednesday A’s fans,
This past weekend, the MLB Draft introduced the stars of tomorrow. One of the most thrilling Home Run Derbies in recent years followed the next day, leading into last night’s “Midsummer Classic,” which showcased many of the game’s brightest stars. Athletics’ catcher Shea Langeliers singled and walked in the American League’s 4-0 victory, which capped off a frantic few days of MLB events in Philadelphia.
With a couple of days off before the A’s resume their season against the Washington
Nationals, it is a good time to assess the team’s first-half performance.
Offense
Entering the season, the Athletics offense was expected to carry this team and perform like a top-tier lineup. That has not happened, as the club ranks in the middle-to-lower tier of the league with a .243 team batting average and 422 total runs scored. Additionally, despite playing in a hitter-friendly home ballpark, the A’s have hit the 12th most home runs in the league.
All-Stars Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz were the team’s two-best hitters in the first half, although Langeliers’ production dipped after a stellar first couple of months. Kurtz’s recent slump can be attributed to a thumb injury that landed him on the injured list and kept him out of the All-Star Game.
Versatile utility player Zack Gelof was the biggest surprise. He provided excellent defense at several positions, while putting up offensive numbers on par with his highly-productive rookie season.
Injuries are partially to blame for the offensive struggles, as Gelof, shortstop Jacob Wilson and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom all missed time, not to mention designated hitter Brent Rooker undergoing season-ending knee surgery. However, it is also worth mentioning the lack of consistent production from outfielder Lawrence Butler and veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil this season.
Grade: B-
Pitching
The less said about the team’s pitching, the better. Yesterday, the A’s fired pitching coach Scott Emerson after ending the first half with a 5.21 team ERA that ranks second-to-last in the majors. The team’s highest-paid pitcher Luis Severino has been out since May with a shoulder injury. Free-agent signee Aaron Civale got off to a strong start before getting injured. He has since regressed to the form he displayed over the past couple of seasons.
Breakout right-hander J.T Ginn and the franchise’s top pitching prospect Gage Jump have been the team’s lone bright spots in the rotation. As for the bullpen, free-agent signee Scott Barlow was designated for assignment a few weeks ago after posting a career-worst 6.48 ERA. Right-hander Luis Medina has pitched well in his return from Tommy John surgery as has its lone left-hander Hogan Harris.
Really, it all comes down to the team not assembling a good enough pitching staff or figuring out how to pitch effectively at Sutter Health Park. Other teams have pitched fine there, so why is it that the A’s have struggled so much at this ballpark?
Grade: D
Coaching
For the second consecutive season, the A’s have suffered a devastating losing stretch that they have been unable to stop, with each loss pushing them further behind their divisional rivals. Between that and the pitching continuing to be a serious problem, it is time to seriously consider whether a regime change is the right move to take the Athletics from pretenders to contenders.
With Emerson gone, these next few months will be a litmus test for manager Mark Kotsay’s future. Can he get this team back on track and set the club up for a high-stakes stretch run, or will it be another inconsequential second half for the “Green and Gold”?
Grade: C
What grades would you give the A’s for their first half? Do you think this team has what it takes to turn things around?
A’s Coverage:
- What will the Athletics do leading up to Trade Deadline after cold streak?
- A’s Add Next Wave of Prospects in 2026 Draft
- Athletics Get Hitting Help by Claiming Hot Bat off Waivers
- Langeliers’ 5-year journey from top prospect to All-Star starter
- Injuries Providing Cover For Some Inconvenient Truths
- Breaking Down the A’s Alarming Trends Heading into the Break
- Jamie Arnold can’t wait for the A’s future. Triple-A Vegas is another story.
- Langeliers savoring 1st All-Star start; injured Kurtz to enjoy homecoming
- A’s Drop 9th Straight, Lose To White Sox 9-1
- Athletics Select Outfielder Drew Burress With 8th Overall Pick
- Athletics Select Left-hander Mason Edwards With 47th Overall Pick
- Athletics Select Gabe Gaeckle With 73rd Overall Pick
- A’s Select Jacob Dudan With 83rd Pick, Roman Martin With 111th Pick
- A’s Offensive Woes Continue in 1-0 Loss to White Sox
- Fan Survival: When Each Game Becomes Its Own Season
- Trade Deadline Outlook: Athletics ($)
- Bally’s nears funding for mixed-use project surrounding A’s ballpark
- Three Things To Watch For The Athletics In July
- Julyeball Scout Report As Hopes, Like The Sun, Sink Slowly In The West
- Thoughts And Well Wishes For A’s Prospect Ryan Lasko
- The Athletics and the Cost of a Bad Extension
MLB News and Interest:
- The American League takes the Midsummer Classic 4-0 in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’
- Caminero fine after All-Star HBP, tells pitcher who plunked him not to worry
- Walker stuns Schwarber, becomes Cardinals’ first Derby champ
- Incredible stats and facts from memorable Home Run Derby
- 2026 MLB draft recap: Best picks, potential steals, analysis
- Tickets, rooms, mandates complicate MLB players in Olympics
- Reds Reportedly Receiving Trade Interest In Spencer Steer
- Jahmai Jones trade gives Red Sox another righty option in lineup, outfield
- Bryce Harper denies giving FanDuel consent for video to customer
- Luis Arraez Hopeful Of Staying At Second Base If Traded
- All-Stars oppose MLB salary cap, say there’s still time to reach deal
- Commissioner offers insight into competitive balance talks
- What to know about All-Star Game: Lineups, pitchers, more (Tonight, 8 ET, FOX)
- White Sox, Roch Cholowsky Agree To Record Draft Bonus
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Over the past few years, the Athletics have had more success drafting and developing players. Now, the team needs this pool of talent to coalesce into a unit capable of competing for the playoffs.
Georgia Tech reliever Mason Patel is the most noteworthy name among these UDFAs. He was named a finalist for the National Stopper of the Year Award, presented annually to the nation’s top relief pitcher.
Congrats to Zack Gelof and his fiancée! Wishing them both the best. Seeing the knee brace in this picture is a reminder that his injury may have been more significant than many realized. Here’s hoping he’s back on the field soon—this struggling squad could certainly use him.
