3 key questions for A's as spring camp opens

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MESA, Ariz. -- It’s happening. With A’s pitchers and catchers reporting to Hohokam Stadium on Wednesday, Spring Training is officially underway.

The 2023 campaign is bringing changes in more ways than one. Not only is there a bevy of new faces entering camp with the A’s, but there is also the implementation of MLB’s rule changes for the upcoming season that players will need to adjust to over the next seven weeks.

Here are three things to watch for this spring:

1. How does the offense look?
The A’s went out this offseason looking to improve a lackluster offense that ranked last in most categories in 2022 and brought in an interesting mix of newcomers who could provide an upgrade. Jesús Aguilar, Jace Peterson and Aledmys Díaz are among the free-agent signings who bring several years of Major League experience.

Ryan Noda, a power-hitting first baseman whom Oakland acquired in the Rule 5 Draft, and JJ Bleday, who ranked as high as No. 20 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects List in 2021, are new additions who could get their first taste of extended big league action this year.

A bounce-back year from Ramón Laureano could certainly go a long way. The outfielder slashed just .211/.287/.376 with 13 home runs, 18 doubles, 11 stolen bases and 34 RBIs across 94 games in 2022, missing the final two weeks of the regular season due to a nagging hip issue that landed him on the injured list.

2. How about that bright future?
Tyler Soderstrom and Zack Gelof, Oakland’s No. 1 and No. 3 prospects, highlight the list of top prospects joining the A’s for the start of big league camp. Both finished the 2022 season at Triple-A Las Vegas, with Gelof heading to the Arizona Fall League for some extra work at second base. There’s a similar vibe with Soderstrom and Gelof to the one back in '17, when Matt Chapman and Matt Olson were on the brink of reaching the Majors after some impressive years through each Minor League level of the organization.

With both being strong candidates to make their Major League debuts at some point in 2023, Gelof and Soderstrom will get a chance to perform in front of the big league staff this spring alongside fellow top prospects such as Max Muncy, Denzel Clarke and Daniel Susac. This camp could provide a glimpse at just how far away each promising prospect is from their arrival to Oakland.

3. What about the new rules?
For a broader look at baseball’s new rules, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince put together a detailed FAQ regarding all of the rule changes for 2023. Those rules go into effect at the start of Cactus League action this spring, allowing teams proper time to adjust in advance of Opening Day.

The rule changes, which include a pitch timer, shift restrictions and bigger bases, are aimed at improving pace of play and increasing the amount of action on the field during games. With the new rules seemingly encouraging more stolen bases, players such as Esteury Ruiz, the speedy outfielder whom the A’s acquired this winter as part of the Sean Murphy deal, could be of greater value with more of an opportunity to impact games on the basepaths. Meanwhile, catcher Shea Langeliers and his cannon of an arm behind the plate could be relied on even more in an effort to control the run game.