WEST SACRAMENTO – What seemed like good fortune for the Athletics when they left Spring Training in Arizona free of any major injuries is starting to feel more like an ominous precursor to what they’re now dealing with on the health front.
The difficulty of this recent six-game road trip went beyond the 2-4 record posted by the A’s. They also lost three key players to the injured list during that stretch, starting with Zack Gelof (right hand contusion) earlier in the week and continuing with Jacob Wilson (right thumb inflammation) and Tyler Soderstrom (left hip impingement), both of whom were placed on the 10-day IL prior to Monday’s series opener against the Dodgers at Sutter Health Park.
The A’s pride themselves in having a deep lineup that does not rely on one or two big bats to get them going. But there’s only so many hits an offense can take. In addition to Gelof, Wilson and Soderstrom, there’s also Brent Rooker, who has been sidelined on the 10-day IL since June 9 with a left knee bone bruise.
“We had a great Spring Training, health-wise,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “We got out of there crystal clean. I’m not sure if that was a bad omen or what has led to the injuries, but it definitely has hit us at an inopportune time. We have to keep grinding. Guys are coming here to fill roles that maybe weren’t anticipated to be here yet.”
One of those guys Kotsay mentioned is Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Rated the A’s No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Kuroda-Grauer was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas as a corresponding move. Though his first call to the Majors is largely the product of losing Wilson, the 23-year-old infielder has nonetheless earned this chance. In 75 games between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas, Kuroda-Grauer is slashing a combined .323/.367/.478 with 34 extra-base hits. His 109 hits lead all of Minor League Baseball.
Kuroda-Grauer made an immediate impact, picking up an RBI single in his first MLB at-bat in the bottom of the second.
Kuroda-Grauer is also extremely versatile defensively. Starting at second base on Monday, he also brings the ability to play third base and shortstop, his natural position.
“We’re excited about KG being here to make his debut and get an opportunity to go out and prove that he can play in the big leagues,” Kotsay said. “KG is a good defender. … He’s done a nice job adding power this year. We’ve seen the power increase. The exit velocities are all up. He’s maturing nicely. The performance in Triple-A, he’s done a great job this season there having success and taking good, quality at-bats. That’s really all we’re looking for.”
With Kuroda-Grauer debuting, the A’s are now the first team in MLB to have three players from the 2024 MLB Draft Class reach the Majors. All three were in Monday’s starting lineup, with first-rounder Nick Kurtz at first base and Competitive Balance Round B selection Gage Jump taking the mound as the A’s starting pitcher.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” Kotsay said. “You’re lucky to get three guys in a Draft class to make the big leagues. To have these three guys here with us right now says a lot about the scouting department and the player development department and the work they’ve put in. The talent that these guys have was obviously identified by our baseball operations group. They’ve done a nice job. There are a lot of guys that have been homegrown here on our roster, and that says a lot about the ability to identify young talent and mature them throughout the Minor Leagues to get them here.”
The A's also recalled right-handed pitcher Kade Morris and infielder Darell Hernaiz from Triple-A Las Vegas. Morris, who is with the A's for the second time this month, went 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts with the Aviators following his option on June 9. Hernaiz, who was on the A's Opening Day roster, hit .237 with a home run, seven RBIs and a .606 OPS in 47 games when he was optioned to Las Vegas on June 8.