Notes: Kemp locked in; Jefferies sharp

When the A’s brought back former All-Star second baseman Jed Lowrie on a Minor League deal last month, it was practically considered a foregone conclusion that he would fill the club’s vacancy at second as he returns to Oakland for a third stint.

Tony Kemp might have something to say about that.

With Lowrie still not cleared by the training staff to play in games as he works his way back from offseason knee surgery, Kemp is getting most of the at-bats at second base early in the Cactus League schedule, and he is taking advantage. Kemp smashed a game-tying homer well beyond the center-field wall as part of a 1-for-2 day with a walk in Saturday’s 1-1 tie with the Mariners in Peoria, Ariz.

Through four spring games, Kemp’s .429 batting average is tied for the team lead among players with at least seven at-bats. The 29-year-old also has a stolen base and three walks.

“He’s doing everything well,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “He’s walking. He’s getting on base. Obviously, he’s swinging the bat well. He hit the homer today and just missed one in his previous at-bat. We brought him back for a reason. He can help you in different ways.”

Kemp’s hot start is reminiscent of his tear through the Cactus League last year before the baseball shutdown, when he went 10-for-32 (.313) with a homer and a double. That strong start to spring catapulted him to establishing a regular role with the A’s, beginning the season in a left-right platoon with Chad Pinder at second base that continued through most of the first half until the club acquired Tommy La Stella a few days prior to the Trade Deadline.

Given his versatility, Kemp would have a spot on this A’s roster even if he does not win the second-base job outright. He has already been mentioned by Melvin as a candidate to get some time in the outfield against right-handed starters. But a continuance of his hot start to spring could expand his role beyond a utility player this season.

“Wherever I can get the most amount of at-bats and help the team, it doesn’t matter if it’s second or the outfield,” Kemp said. “I feel like I can impact the game in many ways. Especially with this team, there are so many guys that are impactful to the game, and I’m just a small part of that.”

Jefferies sharp in second start

The A’s have strategically given Daulton Jefferies his two starts this spring against clubs they knew would trot out lineups filled with mostly Major League regulars as a measuring stick. So far, the right-hander is passing that test with flying colors.

Jefferies -- ranked as Oakland’s No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline -- tossed two scoreless innings on Saturday against the Mariners. He allowed one hit and issued one walk while racking up three strikeouts, upping his Cactus League total to three scoreless innings after a perfect inning against the Dodgers last Sunday.

“He’s off to a good start,” Melvin said. “He had the one tough start last year at the big league level and you want to get those cob webs out of the way. He’s gotten two lineups that had a lot of starters, too, so that’s good for his confidence.”

Jefferies, 25, was roughed up for a five-run first inning against the Rangers last September in his Major League debut and lasted just two innings in what was his only appearance of the season for the A’s. But that one outing did nothing to deteriorate the excitement among those in the organization about the 2016 first-round pick, whose impressive command was on display in the Minors in 2019 when he put together a brilliant 93:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Already holding a good fastball that sits around 91-94 mph to go with a strong changeup as his secondary pitch, Jefferies is working on bettering his breaking ball -- which he describes as a mix between a slider and slurve -- as the final step to his development. The right-hander used it plenty on Saturday and recorded two of his three strikeouts with it.

Knowing he’s at the top of the A’s list for starting rotation options as soon as a need arises, mastering that breaking ball could be the difference that helps him stick in his next chance with the big league club.

“I’ve gotten past the beginner phase of it,” Jefferies said of his breaking ball. “I’m getting a lot more confident in throwing it in early-ball counts and late-ball counts. I got a couple of strikeouts on it, so that does nothing but boost my confidence.”

“It is going to be a great pitch for me, because all of my other pitches are hard, so it’s nice to have a change of speed.”

Up next

The A’s return home to face the Indians at 12:05 p.m. PT on Sunday at Hohokam Stadium. Right-hander Grant Holmes will start, as Oakland is expected to continue to hold back its regular starting pitcher from game action until the end of next week. Left-hander Jake Diekman -- who dominated last year with one run allowed over 21 1/3 innings -- is expected to make his Cactus League debut in relief. Right-handers Paul Blackburn, Jordan Weems and Lou Trivino will also be available to throw.