Category: Oakland Athletics

By Morris Phillips

LOS ANGELES–The National League started fast, and finished smoothly, but that fourth inning was all the destruction needed to end their aspirations.

Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxton hit mammoth, back-to-back shots that gave the American League the lead, and they made it stand up, shutting out the host NL team for the game’s final eight innings in a 3-2 win. The first All-Star game at picturesque Dodger Stadium in 42 seasons was over-the-top and full of explosions, but in the end, the American League pitchers shut the door.

Stanton had never experienced a hit in his previous All-Star Game appearances, going 0 for 6. Given that, the response was loud and clear, a two-run shot scoring Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez that traveled 457-feet, longer than any home run hit at Dodger Stadium thus far this season.

“That’s probably one of the hardest balls I’ve seen hit from the on-deck circle,” Buxton said. “I don’t even know if you can put it in words how hard he hit the baseball. So for me to see him in person, be on the same team, finally be up close, it was like, ‘Wow.’ You know, like, I literally sat down.”

Buxton sat down, but immediately got up and did the same thing Stanton did. Again facing the Dodgers’ Tony Gonsolin, Buxton sent a line drive down the left field line that measured 425-feet.

Eight AL relievers followed, none more impressive than Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase who struck out the final three hitters of the ballgame on 10 pitches. Houston’s Framber Valdez pitched a scoreless third inning and earned the win. And Stanton was named the game’s MVP, a nice addition to his award’s shelf that also includes a Home Run Derby win.

The AL pitching staff retired 20 NL hitters in succession at one point, only the fourth time that many consecutive batters have been retired in All-Star competition.

The local stars both got All-Star moments with the Giants’ Joc Pederson getting two at-bats, striking out twice, in his return to Dodger Stadium. The A’s Paul Blackburn pitched a scoreless, fourth inning earning a hold.

Shohei Ohtani, the game’s singular two-way star earned his moment with a leadoff single as the game’s first batter. But Ohtani then got caught sleeping by the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, who picked off Ohtani creeping away from first base.

Alex Manoah, a rising pitching star for Toronto, struck out the side in the second inning while keeping a running commentary on the mound as he was mic’d up for Fox Sports.

Mookie Betts had a first inning RBI for the NL, and Paul Goldschmidt homered in the first after Manny Machado hit into a double play, which could have short circuited a bigger inning for the hosts.

Albert Pujols and Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera each got pinch-hit at-bats without success, although Pujols sent a drive to the warning track that was caught. Pujols and Cabrera were commissioner’s picks as outgoing All-Stars.

Next year’s All-Star Game will be held in Seattle, which means more late afternoon shadows and likely another low-scoring game. Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez will be under hometown pressure to repeat his outstanding performance in the Home Run Derby.

By Morris Phillips

LOS ANGELES–With the 30th pick in 2022 MLB Draft, the Giants wanted value and impact. They appeared to get it with the surprise pick of two-way player Reggie Crawford.

Rated lower than a first-rounder by most touts, Crawford has played two seasons at the University of Connecticut before missing the 2022 season because of Tommy John surgery. That’s the risk component. On the upside, Crawford throws 99 mph gas and has home run power in his 6’4,” 235-pound frame.

Originally drafted by the Royals in 2019, Crawford opted for college, and was so impressive, he received clearance to transfer to powerhouse Tennessee for this season. Now, Crawford will choose between the Volunteers and the Giants, who are expected to see if they can get the slugger/pitcher inked without stepping out of the $2.49 million slot financially. If Crawford likes the money and prestige of being a first-rounder, he’ll join the Giants. If not, he’ll attend Tennessee and re-enter the draft pool next year of the year after.

Either way, Crawford is an intriguing pick for his high potential, and the hope that he will overcome his injury history. For the Giants, the pick again signals their preference for college-experienced players early in the draft.

The Giants drafted pitcher Carson Whisenhunt in the second round of the draft which was also conducted on Sunday. Whisenhunt is a 6’3″ power thrower who was suspended for the entire 2022 season for using performance-enhancing drugs which he says were in a supplement he took. Whisenhunt’s freshman year at East Carolina saw him throw 62 innings and strike out 79 batters.

The A’s selected Daniel Susac with their initial pick, number 19, a catcher with a growing reputation for his skills behind the plate along with power-hitting acumen at the plate. Susac is the brother of former Giant Andrew Susac and is orginally from Sacramento before he took his collegiate game to Arizona. This past season Susac had 12 homers, and 19 doubles in 64 games for the Wildcats.

The A’s were scared off from Susac due to the other successful catchers they have in their system including Sean Murphy at the Major League level, and Shane Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom in the minor leagues. The A’s feel they took the best talent available and despite Susac’s comfort behind the plate, they will likely entertain the idea of position switch if Susac is the slugger they envision.

“I’m not only going to try to get the most out of myself but I’m going to try to get the most out of all my teammates,” Susac said. “I’m gonna bring a great bat while also being a great defensive player. I take pride in trying to be a well-rounded player.”

The 2022 MLB Draft continues Monday and will encompass 20 rounds along with compensatory picks as agreed upon in the current collective bargaining agreement.