Trout, Harper resurgence helping lead A's back to the top

6.15.26

Following a big 9-2 victory over defending WFBL champions Vancouver at the Navy Yard last week, the Philadelphia Athletics are now 10-2 on the season. They tied the Cubs for the league's best overall record with the win, and also lead the Owens/East Division by 2.5 games over both Brantford and New York

As the Athletics returned to contending status a year ago, winning the Veasey Award for finishing with the  WFBL's top regular season record for the first time since 2022, the club's former superstar veterans struggled.

In 2025, Trout hit just .227 with 20 homers, 50 RBIs, and only two steals. This season, though batting just .224, he already has 15 homers, 32 RBIs, and 7 steals through the season's first 12 weeks. Harper hit .261 with 20 homers, 57 RBIs, and 11 steals a year ago. Though a dozen games this season he has just a .256 average, but has 15 home runs, 39 RBIs, and five steals. 

Those 15 home runs from each of the A's longtime veterans has them tied for second on the roster behind only the 17 blasted by the injured Aaron Judge. Harper's 39 RBIs are second to the 41 driven in by second baseman Ketel Marte. 

The breakout player among the postion players has been 22-year-old center fielder Jackson Chourio. Now in his third full season, Chourio leads the team with a .322 batting average. His .370 OBP is third behind only Judge and Trout. After missing the first month, Chourio has produced nine homers, 26 RBIs, and five steals in nearly 100 fewer plate appearances than the club's veterans.

Marte is batting .255 with 11 homers and those team-leading 41 RBIs after fighting back from an abysmal start to the year. But his double play partner, shortstop Trea Turner, continues to struggle. Turner leads the club with 11 stolen bases. But his .219 average and .269 OBP are both troubling, and a .599 OPS reveals that he has shown little power as well.

Also struggling is third baseman Alex Bregman, hitting just .250 with only six homers and 22 RBIs. His struggles have been so tough that the veteran has now been replaced in the lineup, at least temporarily, by the red hot Zack Gelof.

"The hope is that Alex can benefit from a little mental break," said manager Mark DeRosa. "Sit back and watch the game a bit, work on some things with new hitting coach Chris Valaika." Fact is, if the club had a productive alternative, Turner might be finding himself on the bench as well.

Cal Raleigh was another who struggled mightily at the start. However, the catcher's troubles may have come from an injury that drove him to the Injured List for the past month. He is due to return this week after powering up during a brief rehab stint. Veteran backup JT Realmuto struggled for the most part while filling the role as starting backstop.

24-year-old left fielder Wyatt Langford has once again been forced to battle injuries. Back in the lineup for the last couple weeks, Langford appears to be rounding into form. His power-speed combination would be a welcome addition to turning the overall team offense around.

The injury to Judge was extremely unfortunate. He was leading the team with 17 homers and 38 RBIs at the time of his placement on the IL a couple of weeks back. But his production had slipped for the prior couple of weeks, and it is now obvious that the injury had something to do with it. He is not expected back until some point in the final stretch run.

The biggest factor in the A's move back to the top of the standings has clearly been the pitching staff. The rotation of Paul Skenes, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Chris Sale, Tarik Skubal, George Kirby, Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler, and Bryan Woo have all provided outstanding starting pitching results.

Out in the bullpen, Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Abner Uribe have been strong mainstays. The club lost the big arm of Edwin Diaz to injury, and much as with Judge among the position player group, the veteran closer is not expected back until the stretch run. To the rescue came Bryan Baker. The 31-year-old righty has stepped in and provided 14 Saves, a Hold, and a sparkling 0.90/0.850 ERA/WHIP line.

"We're happy with where we are now," said GM Matt Veasey. "But we're keeping an eye on developments and opportunities around the league. Opportunities to possibly improve our roster through potential deals."

The record is obviously strong. Top overall team in the league. First place in the division. Keys to the rest of the season and, hopefully, a successful playoff run? Getting real production once again from Turner, Raleigh, and the third base position. And a strong, healthy eventual return to action from Judge and Diaz.