MLB news roundup
Welcome to Thursday everyone!
The A’s made arguably their biggest roster move of the season yesterday, optioning first baseman Ryan Noda to Triple-A Las Vegas:
A’s optioned Ryan Noda to Triple-A Las Vegas. He was hitless in his last 28 at-bats with a batting average down to .128.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) May 2, 2024
No corresponding move yet, but J.D. coming off the IL seems likely.
As you can see, we at least know who will be taking Noda’s spot on the roster. Davis is capable of manning first base but it’s likely that he returns to the hot corner. First base could be open for business.
It’s been a tough season for Noda to this point. Oakland’s Opening Day first baseman and leadoff man for the first few weeks, Noda is only slashing .128/.242/.198 with just one long ball. Even more concerning is the fact that Noda isn’t walking nearly as much as he did last season as a rookie. The power was never a calling card either but one home run from your first baseman isn’t going to cut it.
This is the first time Noda has been demoted by the club. Since he was a Rule 5 pick last year he had to stay up with the team the whole year. The Athletics surely didn’t want to give up on adding a talented player to their system so they were probably never going to demote him then. He didn’t really give the club any reason to move on as he was one of the more consistent players in the lineup during a dreadful year. That protection is gone now and Noda’s slump will now cost him his roster spot.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the young left-handed hitter. It’s not as though Noda is just keeping the seat warm; there isn’t some hot-shot prospect waiting to take over first base.
Or is there? While he came up as a catcher, too prospect Tyler Soderstrom has experience at first base. Granted, he’s been playing more catcher at Triple-A so far this year than first base but he should still be capable without the catchers mitt. Current starting catcher Shea Langeliers hasn’t had the greatest start to the year but he’s at least hitting the long ball, and the club invested a lot of capital in him so they’re not going to pivot away from him. Just yet.
Soderstrom might get his chance sooner than later now that Noda is out of the picture, but for now the plan seems to be a combination of Abraham Toro and Tyler Nevin. Both of those players have been some of the hottest hitters for the club so far, no small feat considering how much of a slump the rest of the lineup has been all year. It’s just a bandaid for the position until either Noda or Soderstrom really claim the job, but the team is just trying to win games right now and both of those guys are better options than Noda and Soderstrom. The first base situation will be something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks as the club decides what direction they want to go for the position. They have all season to figure it out but figure it out they must.
A’s Coverage:
