Most couldn't have expected the results of first 86 games the Athletics have played thus far into the 2012 campaign. Following an offseason dump of Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey the 2012 outlook seemed bleak for most of the fanbase (who did not seem to investigate the trade returns at all...). But regardless of even the most optimistic scenario, the Athletics were widely expected to be one of the worst squads to take to a baseball field in 2012. However, after grappling with a nine game skid, offensive inconsistency, numerous injuries, and waiver wire replacements, somehow Oakland came out at 43-43 having won six out of their previous seven and winding up at 2.5 games outside of the newly founded second wild card. To the optimists, pessimists, and those who were neutral, the result was a consensus shock. A ballclub riddled with rookies, has-beens, those claimed by MLB pundits as "not fit to play major league baseball" have outmatched teams with 100 million dollar payrolls. Easily the most exciting Athletics team since 2006, they've constructed a noteworthy season that has (as expected) been widely ignored by national media. But us Athletics fans should be desensitized to being swept underneath the rug by now. Still, for a ballclub that has overachieved, there have been countless performances of note. Of these performances, there have been a select few that have put together 2012 resumes that have not only baffled, but have led the ballclub to it's current position. But enough with the introduction, without further adieu, the most surprising 2012 performances for your Oakland Athletics.
5. Brandon Moss:
Brandon Moss burst onto the scene as a call-up to prevent a contract loophole where he could've explored free agency if he was not placed onto the 25 man roster by a certain date. Moss, who has received a infamous reputation amongst the Oakland faithful for slamming a decisive HR against Huston Street in the Athletics 2008 Japan series versus Boston, hasn't exactly been noted for his major league consistency. Bouncing from Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia's organizations, Moss only received one entire major league campaign with the Pirates in 2009, where he hit .236/.304/.364 in 133 contests. Eventually, he was scooped up by Oakland and would begin his 2012 season in Sacramento. With the Rivercats, Moss shined by hitting a team high 15 HR with 27 cumulative XBH, a .371 OBP, and .952 OPS. In June, Moss was assigned to Oakland at the expense of Kila Ka'aihue, who had gained a positive reputation around Oakland. But, despite the native Hawaiians cult following that had grown in the coliseum, Moss would trump Kila's respectable power. In 26 games, Moss has clobbered 10 HR, accumlulated a .644 SLG%,.391 ISO, and amassed a 0.9 WAR (neglect the .316 OBP...). He would claim AL player of the week following a 6 HR period which included a 4 HR series against Colorado. During that series Moss hit only the 33rd second deck Coors field HR in the ballpark's history. But despite Coors drastically inflating his HR totals, 5 of his long balls have come at the coliseum, so don't say he's only #Mossome in offensive parks (Sorry about the pun). But, with the addition of Chris Carter to the squad, i'd prefer to see Moss' appearances decrease, but Moss becoming the second fastest Athletic to 10 HR since Dave Kingman cannot be ignored. His most recent fit of heroics came against Boston, where a slammed an 0-2 offspeed offering into center field with one out, two on-base, and Oakland down by one run in the bottom of the ninth. Crisp would walk it off with a game ending sac fly.
4. Travis Blackley
When Graham Godfrey left a gigantic, oozing, and distusting mess against Anaheim, Travis Blackley was there to mop it up. And Blackley did such a wonderful job cheerfully cleaning that he usurped Godfrey's position in the rotation. Blackley, a waiver wire addition on May 19th, has left a tumultuous past, sinking from highly touted Mariners prospect to being exiled to the Korean leagues. But despite the reg flags in which Blackley had been riddled with, Beane gave him a chance (Possibly to fufill his Aussie fetish). Blackley, who has seen his BB% above 5.00 in each of his previous major league opportunities with Seattle and San Francisco, has been a pleasant surprise for the Athletics. Blackley in his 51 1/3 IP for the green and gold has a miniscule 2.60 FIP, 0.18 HR/9, and a 1.89 BB/9 (!!!). In addition, the Aussie leads the league in pickoffs with a staggering six. It would be fair to say NO ONE could have predicted Blackley's success, not even himself, but the Melbourne native native seemed to breakthrough following a contest versus San Diego where he was awarded with first MLB W in nearly eight years. Since then, Travis has dominated in three starts and one outing a long relief with a cumulative 25 IP while striking out 15 and walking ONE. His crowning acheivement was outdueling reigning NL Cy Young recipient, Clayton Kershaw, at the coliseum. Both went 8 IP, but Blackley struck out six and walked none while allowing a mere two fly-balls where Kershaw walked two and allowed six fly-balls, including a near Inge HR where Kershaw proceeded to spastically attempt a karate kick in frustration. All in all, Blackley may not stick around once Straily, Peacock, Anderson, Braden and Gray arrive, but he has revived his career in Oakland.
3. Sean Doolittle
Doolittle is placed at third due to the fact that it was well known he could pitch, having dominated at Virginia as a collegiate prospect, but ultimately being sdelected as a first baseman by Oakland in the 2007 draft. Doolittle rose to the occasion, poised as the Athletics future corner threat and destined to a career laced with honors and accolades. However, Doolittle would have a minor league career filled with missed playing time, nagging injuries, and lost seasons. After a wrist injury in 2011, the informed him that his days as a position player were numbered and he would be transitioning to the mound. (I'm sure for most of you this is the millionth time you've heard about his background so I apologize). Fastforward to June of 2012 and Sean Doolittle proudly dons his #62 jersey in green and gold lettering having acomplished his major league aspitrations. Doolittle would rise from Stockton to Oakland is less than two months... The minors proved a measly obstacle for Doolittle who brezzed through the treacherous Cal league with 21 strikeouts in 39 batters faced. Midland actually proved to be the most forgetable K/BB (19/4) during his 2012 campaign. But, his 11 innings with the Rockhounds saw him ascend to Sac-Town, where the kitties thrived with Sean on the mound. After striking out EIGHT in 3 2/3 IP, Doolittle got the call and was promoted on June 4th, 2012. He would begin his career by striking out three consecutive Rangers with filthy 95-98 MPH velocity and a vicious slider. After striking out five consecutive in Arizona, Sean became the first Athletic to punch out 10 in their first 5 IP since Hudson in 1999... To date, Doolittle has brought a 8 2/3 IP scoreless streak into the break while having struck out 24 compared to walking 3 in 14 2/3 IP.
2. Ryan Cook
Most thought the sky was falling following swaps of Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey this offseason. Cries of "OMG we are only winning eight games this year :(" and "Beane is a pile of [Expletive]" rung through and flooded social media. Ryan Cook (and equally Josh Reddick) are the reasons these prople will never in anyones wildest of dreams be a general manager. Cook, an afterthought in the Cahill swap that sent the white rabbit and Breslow to AZ for Jarrod Parker and Collin Cowgill, has been remarkable for the Athletics. A 27th round selection from USC, Arizona did present Cook an opportunity following a rocky collegiate career. After starting for the majority of his tenure as a Trojan and into 2010 within the diamondbacks farm system Cook switched to the bullpen for 2011 and eventually threw well enough to receive playing time come September. However, Cook left a sour taste in Arizona, permitting eight walks with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 IP. Upon arriving in Oakland's system following the deal, many were unaware to Cook's status on the depth chart, as he would be ranked as the 37th overall prospect entering the season by Oaklandclubhouse.com. Still, Cook would defy the odds and be honored with an opening day invite for the Athletics. What would follow left many jaw dangling on floors around the east bay as Cook stormed into the season by demolishing the previous Athletics record for a scoreless streak to begin a season (while beginning on the opening day roster) with a 23 1/3 IP span that continued to inflate until late May,the lengthiest in MLB since 1918. The previous mark was held by Jim Corsi at 18 1/3 and Cook cemented his status as the 7th longest scoreless streak in Athletics history. (Personal note: While in the midst of Cook's streak, I spoke with Lancaster's (High A affiliate for Houston) radio brodcaster who happened to be an avid USC fan. He had no idea Ryan Cook was signed by a major league club let alone on a 25 man roster). Despite Cook's control issues, having walked 21 for a 4.93 BB/9, he has maintained a 2.83 FIP by having yet to allow a home run in 38 1/3 IP. And while Ryan's microscopic BABIP and LOB% have caved in on him at Minnesota and again versus San Francisco, Cook has been ridiculous when accurate, recording a 9.16 K/9 with a notorious slider that has gained a reputation in the MLB. His dominance would be rewarded with an All-Star invitation to Kansas City to represent Oakland at the festivities.
1. Josh Reddick
One who has been outspoken in his disdain towards the All-Star voting process has been easily the most valueable Athletic and "4th Outfielder" Josh Reddick. Reddick, a Boston product, was the headliner in the Bailey transaction that left Boston fans sure they fleeced Oakland. Now at the break with Bailey sidelined once more it seems the Athletics have pulled off one of thew largest heists in recent memory. With Head having left a path of devistation in the Cal League and Alcantara improving in Burlington, Boston regrets the swap more and more as each hour passes. Reddick, a supposed Sweeney clone, has proved body type doesn't define a player having become arguably the best statistical right fielder in major league baseball. Reddick, who amaased a 1.9 WAR with Boston last season, came to Oakland with a "He just a 4th outfielder" disclaimer. But, Beane would soon announce Reddick would be an everyday component to Oakland's outfield. Reddick hasn't dissapointed.
Reddick has eight outfield assists defensively with a 7.4 UZR which ranks 12th in baseball. Offensively, he has provided an even larger spark, smashing 20 HR to become the first Athletic since Swisher to have 20 bombs before the break, and which included a 10 HR May. The 180 pounder also leads baseball in two out HR and ranks 12th with a .264 ISO. But what was been truly phenomenal for Reddick has been his walk rate. After walking ONCE in his initial 92 PA, Reddick has recovered for a 10.6 BB% which slots him within the top 30 in baseball. Reddick has owned a .268/.348/.532 slash with a relatively neutral .292 BABIP which was contributed to his current rank of 13th in WAR amongst ALL major leaguers at 3.5 and ranks 5th in the AL. However, even this would not place him in the All-Star game, as he finished 18th, yes 18th, in voting for AL outfielders and was snubbed from the event. Reddick would deliver justice though, slapping a walk-off double in the 13th frame to claim Oakland their 8th walk-off victory thus far and put the A's at .500 before the break. Only fitting that the Athletics MVP would be invloved in the final play of the first half. And if the baseball world continues to remain oblivious to Reddick's exploits, I think we'll enjoy keeping him our little secret...
See you in the second half.
