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Mar 16, 2024

Zack Gelof Is The Breath Of Fresh Air The Oakland A’s Sorely Needed

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Zack Gelof #20 of the Oakland Athletics runs to first base against the ... [+] Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Zack Gelof #20 of the Oakland Athletics runs to first base against the ... [+] Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

On 14th July, after having cut two more strugglers from their perpetually struggling bullpen, the Oakland Athletics decided to replenish the offence instead. Utilising the open 40-man roster spots opened up by the departures of Adam Oller and Rico Garcia, they called up catcher Tyler Soderstrom and infielder Zack Gelof from their Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators, providing an injection of youth and fresh hope to a floundering team at the very bottom of the MLB standings.

It did not work out for Soderstorm in his first big league shift. Having hit only .165 with three extra base hits in 27 games, in part through bad luck but also through some bad swings, he was optioned back to the Aviators. However, Gelof has been off to a hot start, and is already Oakland's best hitter.

This, of course, is a very relative accolade. The Athletics are last in the majors in most offensive categories - last in runs, last in average, last in slugging percentage, fourth-last in on-base percentage, 23rd in home runs, 24th in strikeouts - and of the 23 players to have had a big league at-bat with them this season, precisely five have OPS marks above .700. Of those five, Connor Capel (.701 in 73 at-bats) and Manny Pina (.750 in 12) are both off the 40-man roster already.

That leaves, then, only three players. Three guys about whom it can be said that they are above-average bats from a total of 23. Slugging outfielder Brent Rooker (22 home runs, .790 OPS, albeit totals carried by a blistering first month of the season that buoys four rather more sedate ones since) and first baseman Ryan Noda (.795 OPS based around a prodigious walk rate) are the other two. But out in front by some distance is the rookie, Gelof.

On the season, Gelof is sporting a .263 batting average, along with 10 home runs and 9 steals in only 160 at-bats. He has a .865 OPS on the season overall, rising to .944 against right-handed pitching, along with an acceptable walk rate. For any stage in any player's career, that is an excellent return; for the first six weeks of a rookie's big league career, it is even better.

Below the numbers come the tools. Very quick while also standing 6'2, Gelof combines speed on the bases with range on defence, and some power in the bat, so far at least. Per Baseball Savant, Gelof has a 40.7% hard hit rate, and, if he had enough at-bats to quality, his 7.9% barrels per plate appearance would be a top-45 mark in the league. In fact, he would be tied with Fernando Tatis Jr and Willy Adames, and ahead of Randy Arozarena.

Any part-season sample size, of course, is particularly susceptible to the variance of luck. And while Gelof's numbers with the Aviators were salivating - .304 batting average, .401 OBP, .930 OPS, average exit velocity of 89.5 miles per hour, 12.1% barrel percentage - they should not be accounted for too much in the assessment of Gelof's present or future. Everyone's power numbers are better in Vegas.

Nevertheless, even if the numbers tumble downwards over the season's final few weeks, Gelof was still the refreshing tonic that a turgid Oakland Athletics season needed. His progress gives something towards the future to actually root for, rather than fear.

Unless stated otherwise, all stats via Baseball Reference. All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.