Bryce Eldridge (DH - SF)
3/13/26 1:29 PM -
For baseball's tallest hitters, robo-umps should bring consistency to a tricky strike zone. The robot-umpire system for overturning ball/strike calls is going to be used in regular-season games in the majors this year. The abbreviation for the setup is ABS, but the most important letters when it comes to the change just might be S-I-Z-E — as in the strike zone for some of the game’s tallest players. The top and the bottom of the strike zone for baseball’s biggest giants have long been two difficult areas for umpires. But the ABS system provides an opportunity for a closer look. San Francisco Giants rookie Bryce Eldridge, a 6-foot-7 slugger who got to use ABS in the minors, says he thinks it’s great for the game.
Source:
https://www.chron.com/sports/article/for-baseball-...
Trey Yesavage (P - TOR)
3/13/26 12:30 PM -
[Last Word on Sports] - I’m Breaking Out in 2026: American League Edition. . Many fans are optimistic, while others are skeptical. Wherever you stand, hopefully, you have some excitement for the upcoming 2026 season. Each year, some players end up putting up some impressive numbers who you have never heard of before. Sometimes it’s a name you know that just hasn’t produced a fully impressive statistical season yet. That’s when you get the term breakout season. Here are some guys you may or may not know that could be on the brink of a breakout season this year in MLB. Let’s start with the junior circuit. Who is breaking out in 2026 … American League Edition? Trey Yesavage Yes, this is an admittedly trendy pick because of his performance in the , but seems primed to break out this season. This starting pitcher only made three regular-season starts last September, so he retains his rookie status for 2026. His nasty stuff had him register a 12.7 SO9 mark in several clutch postseason appearances. When you project that stuff over 30+ starts in the regular season for the this year, Yesavage could have a breakout season in Toronto. Lane Thomas Remember this guy? Only three seasons ago, was a young stud outfielder for the Nationals with 28 homers, 86 ribbies, and 20 stolen bases. After some injuries and poor production over the last two years, Thomas signed a barely noticeable one-year deal with the for 2026. Technically, he already had his breakout season, but he is set up to do that again. Expected to hit at the bottom of a KC lineup that is top-heavy, Thomas should see a lot of pitches to hit and be beneath the radar. Can Thomas once again find his Lane and break out again in 2026? Feb 25, 2026; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Royce Lewis seems to be a yearly candidate for these types of lists, but staying healthy has been a persistent issue for this talented third baseman. Last year, he topped out with only 106 games played. His 162-game averages would be 29 home runs and 98 RBIs. The Twins aren’t expected to contend in 2026, so maybe that lack of expectations will pave the way for Lewis to have his long-awaited breakout season. . Logan O’Hoppe You may not know this catcher on the , but he can hit. was once a highly touted Philadelphia Phillies’ prospect. He struggled last year in only 119 games, but the previous season he had a 2.7 WAR with 20 home runs and 56 ribbies as a backstop. Some may consider him an afterthought in the Halos lineup, but that puts him in a good position for a breakout season in 2026. If he can get that average from the .240s to the .270s, he could be one of the better offensive catchers in baseball. Mar 11, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) bats against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Cam Smith With an aging core, the really need some of their homegrown talent to produce this year. , a first-rounder in , could be that guy for them. In 2025, this outfielder had modest numbers, but he still finished 10th in the . This dude was a .313 hitter in his lone minor league season in 2024. So, he didn’t get to marinate too long before the Astros moved him into vacated spot last year. With a world of potential and a taste of big-league pitching now digested, Smith could thrive with a breakout season in 2026. Sep 14, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) reacts after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Lawrence Butler The have wisely locked up some of their young talent for years to come. One of those studs is outfielder . This smooth lefty bat is only 25 years old and has combined for 43 homers over the last two years. His strikeout numbers, 179 in 2025, do need to drop for Butler to become an elite hitter. But … that is part of the maturation process for Major Leaguers. Bringing in a professional hitter like veteran should rub off on Butler. . In his third full season in the Bigs, Lawrence Butler is primed to have a breakout season in 2026. Sep 27, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Lawrence Butler (4) catches a fly ball against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Source:
https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/arti...
Max Muncy (3B - Ath)
3/13/26 7:14 AM -
[SB Nation: Athletics Nation] - Elephant Rumblings: Butler A Question For Opening Day?. Morning everyone and welcome back to Friday! The Athletics’ Opening Day is exactly two weeks away. That means big decisions are coming all across the team soon enough. From who lines up at the hot corner (looking like Max Muncy has won that job), to the back half of the starting rotation, to the bullpen […]
Source:
https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/arti...
Matt Chapman (3B - SF)
3/12/26 5:48 PM -
[NBC Sports Bay Area] - Athletics GM David Forst explains team's new mindset for extending star players. The Athletics are entering the 2026 MLB season with their young core secured long-term. The team had gained the reputation of drafting and developing star players, such as Matt Chapman and Matt Olson, then allowing them to either leave for free agency or trade them away due to financial reasons. Within the last two seasons, however, it seems that the tide has changed, where the A’s have delivered a flurry of contract extensions to several of their top players. “It definitely feels different. And it should,” Forst told . “We’ve all looked forward to this for a long time, and the reality of having those press conferences that we’ve had over the last year plus is, those are good days for the organization. Those are good days for the players.” The wave began with designated hitter Brent Rooker’s five-year, $60 million contract extension in January 2025. Shortly after, a new seven-year, $65.5 million deal in March 2025. “There are other players who can look at that now and say, ‘Hey, that, ultimately, can be me at some point,’” Forst told Drellich. “I don’t doubt there was a time when a lot of our guys were counting down the days till they had an opportunity somewhere else. And that’s never good for the long-term health of the organization.” Following a year of growth for the A’s in their first season playing in West Sacramento, the organization extended two of its cornerstone players in Tyler Soderstrom, who received an , and starting shortstop Jacob Wilson, who signed a . Aside from the 31-year-old Rooker, the A’s secured their top players who are 25 years old or younger, highlighting a common theme between the long-term deals. “You’re trying to sort of focus on what we consider the prime years, and the first couple free agent years, without going too far down the road for either side,” Forst told Drellich. “Letting the player get back to free agency at some point, while there’s still money to be made, but also letting the team minimize risk of going too far into their 30’s, things like that.” There also have been reports that the A’s have made a long-term contract extension , which would add another important piece to the team’s long-term plans. “We spend less time now on how much value you get in years three, four and five, as opposed to, OK, what price do we have to pay to lock a guy up in years six, seven, eight? And then the player has to be willing to do it,” Forst clarified to Drellich. “Everybody in the game knows that there are agents out there who tell their players there’s no price that’s worth giving up for your free agency years, and I respect that. It doesn’t work for everybody, but you have to find someone who is willing to negotiate that value.” With the organization gearing toward a move to Las Vegas, it’s imperative for the A’s to build a product on the field that would draw as many fans as possible to the new ballpark. “It’s important as we get into the ballpark in Vegas, that we’re not losing guys to free agency the way we have for so long,” Forst added. The A’s certainly will have one of the best starting lineups in the majors, headlined by Rooker and their young core of Butler, Soderstrom, Wilson and Kurtz. If their overall pitching improves from last season, the A’s have the opportunity to become one of the fastest-rising teams in the entire MLB.
Source:
https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/arti...
Max Muncy (3B - Ath)
3/12/26 4:23 PM -
[MLB: Athletics] - Can Muncy's glove at third base catch up to his bat?. MESA, Ariz. – The Athletics have never doubted that Max Muncy could hit at the highest level. His abilities showed up in flashes over his first big league season in 2025 and have carried into Spring Training, where he’s performed as arguably the top hitter in camp. To land an
Source:
https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/arti...
J.T. Ginn (P - Ath)
3/12/26 12:50 PM -
[SB Nation: Athletics Nation] - Spring Training: A’s vs Rangers Game Thread. Spring Training continues this afternoon in Surprise, Arizona as the Athletics take on the Texas Rangers. The A’s enter today with a 9-10 record, versus the Rangers at 10-8. The A’s have won five straight and scored 51 runs in those victories. J.T. Ginn gets the start again today for the A’s. This spring the […]
Source:
https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/arti...
Joey Estes (P - Ath)
3/12/26 9:52 AM -
[MLB Trade Rumors] - Latest On Athletics’ Rotation. The A’s optioned righty Joey Estes to Triple-A yesterday, thinning the field of pitchers vying for spots on the big league staff. Estes seemed like a long shot to make the club after being summoned to the majors for only 11 innings last year and otherwise pitching to a 5.51 ERA in 15 Triple-A starts […]
Source:
https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/arti...
Cal Raleigh (C/DH - SEA)
3/12/26 8:34 AM -
After Arozarena rant, Raleigh says 'there's no beef'. Cal Raleigh said there's "no beef" between him and Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena, who unleashed an expletive-laced screed after the catcher declined to dap him up before an at-bat in the United States' World Baseball Classic game against Mexico.
Source:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48163301/randy...
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