Athletics set to begin new era 

The fans heading out to visit the Philadelphia Athletics pre-season preparations at the Veasey Training Complex in Spring Hill, Florida have never seen anything like this.

After an incredible, controversial fall and winter during which GM Matt Veasey decided to "tear it down to the studs" and undergo a complete roster rebuilding process, there are very few familiar faces in camp.

"One good thing for me," said new skipper Mark DeRosa, "is that everybody is new here this year. We're very much like an expansion team at this point. So, made it a bit easier for me coming into the situation."

DeRosa, who turned 48 just as camp opened, takes over a team returning just seven players who appeared with the club last season. And every one of those seven was making their WFBL debut last year.

Those returning seven are as follows, with their 2022 plate appearances or innings pitched in parentheses: Alec Bohm (244 PA), Jeremy Pena (73 PA), Bryson Stott (26 PA), Jarred Kelenic (18 PA), George Kirby (50 IP), Matt Manning (23.1 IP), MacKenzie Gore (20 IP). All but Bohm are still essentially considered as rookies.

Amazingly, there is not much competition for jobs as the preparations for the 2023 campaign have gotten underway. Given health, the young starting infield is set. Spencer Torkelson (23), the organization's first round Minors Draft pick at first overall in 2022, will be at first base. Stott (25) at second, Pena (25) at shortstop, and Bohm (26) at third base round out the group.

In the outfield, Kelenic (23) is expected to start in left field, with Riley Greene (22) in center field. And for now, where position players are concerned, that's it. Gabriel Moreno, who just turned 23 on Valentine's Day, will have a chance to earn the starting catcher job here. Otherwise, an outfielder and another bat to serve as designated hitter will need to be picked up at the Majors Draft or in its aftermath before the regular season opens.

On the mound, Kirby (25), Manning (25), and Gore (24) are all expected to take regular turns in the starting rotation. Brayan Bello (23) will be trying to impress enough to earn a place there as well. Bryan Abreu (25) and Nate Pearson (26) hope to nail down bullpen roles, though Pearson still has a chance to start. And Freddy Tarnok (24) will get a look to fill either role.

With so many youngsters fighting for the attention of the coaching staff and battling for regular roles, young righty pitching phenom Andrew Painter has been able to ease into spring. The 19-year-old (he turns 20 during Week #2 of the regular season) is technically still on the Cleveland roster. But a straight swap will send prospect pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Spiders for Painter as soon as the Majors Draft concludes. Painter will battle for a rotation role as well.

"We're going to be emphasizing pitching at the Majors Draft," said Veasey. "It's obvious to anyone who looks over our roster, that is where we need to find more options. Sure, we will need to pickup a handful of postion players. And we'll be keeping out eyes on the draft as it develops to see who is available as our turns comes. But we expect to emphasize starting pitching, at least for the first handful of rounds."

The GM has already gone on record as the roster tear down took place over the winter that 2023 will not be about winning, which is a completely foreign concept to A's fans. The club has reached the postseason in 21 of the WFBL's 25 seasons. Even with an expansion to a dozen playoffs spots this year, taking one should be a longshot when considering all of the youth and inexperience.

"We're going to play as many talented kids as possible," said DeRosa. "That's the goal for 2023. Get these young men some experience competing at the highest level. Hopefully they respond to the level of their talent. If that happens with enough of them, hey, maybe we surprise some folks."