By Tony The Tiger Hayes

SAN FRANCISCO–The insignia on their green and gold cap reads A’s, but as the never ending rebuilding process drags into its third campaign you get the feeling they would be totally disappointed if it read: C+.

2016 is all about ramping up the progress the club made in the second half of 2015, when Oakland went 68-94 and finished in last place in the west.

Save one year third baseman Brett Lawrie, most of last season’s top cast and crew are back, highlighted by marquee trio of starting pitcher Sonny Gray, catcher Stephen Vogt, and power hitting outfielder Josh Reddick.

It’s the lesser known younger players who showed promise last season that will determine how well the A’s perform in 2016.

We’re talking pitchers Jesse Hahn, Chris Bassitt, and Kendall Gravamen. Infielders Mark Canna and Marcus Semian and Danny Valencia. And outfielder Billy Burns.

All those players will have to find a way from regressing.

Plus there are the new guys, infielder Yonder Alonso, outfielders Khris Davis and Chris Coughlan.

The A’s lost 3-1 Thursday night in the first game of the Bay Bridge series in San Francisco, but there were some promising signs, especially from starting pitcher Bassitt.

The youngster allowed one runs in four innings, striking out three. Offensively the A’s didn’t show much, collecting just three hits against four Giants hurlers.

The A’s will have two tune-up games vs. San Francisco before opening night Monday.