​Happy Wednesday, everyone. Playing away from Sutter Health Park did little to cure the Athletics’ woes. Yesterday, the team opened a six-game Midwest road trip with another loss, dropping 6-2 to the Detroit Tigers in the first game of a three-game series. Tonight marks the middle contest of this midweek set, after which they will head to Chicago for three games against an surprisingly strong White Sox club this weekend.
Next week, most Athletics players and coaches will take a breather and get ready for the second half of the season. Yet catcher Shea Langeliers and first baseman Nick Kurtz will travel to Philadelphia as American League All-Star starters. They will be joined by A’s head athletic trainer Jeff Collins, who will serve on the AL’s training staff during the Midsummer Classic. Langeliers has already declined his Home Run Derby invitation, which takes place Monday night before Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Kurtz, a Pennsylvania native and lifelong Phillies fan, also passed on the Derby because of concerns about injury and fatigue.
The 2026 MLB Draft will kickoff in Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday. The Athletics hold the No. 8 overall pick, a position secured in this past offseason’s draft lottery. It looks unlikely the A’s will land a top-of-the-class prospect this time around, but the organization should still have a strong collection of talent to choose from. In recent years, the A’s have drafted a college player with a first-round pick in each of the last three drafts. Will that trend continue, or will they dip into high school talent for the first time since selecting Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy back-to-back in 2020 and 2021?
Watch closely how the A’s allocate their bonus pool money. For instance, they might draft an older college player with an under-slot bonus in one round, then use the savings to entice a highly touted high school prospect in the next round to sign rather than honor a college commitment. The club should consider adding an outfielder at some point because Lawrence Butler has regressed in several areas since signing that team-friendly contract extension.
All of this is on the near horizon. For now, the Athletics still have five games to close out the first half. A strong finish could provide meaningful momentum heading into the All-Star break and set the tone for what they hope will be a productive second half. What are your predictions for the A’s five remaining games before the break?
A’s fall to the Tigers 6-2.
Trade Deadline Outlook: Athletics
A’s Release Michael Kelly
Three Things To Watch For The Athletics In July
July Scout Report: Hopes, Like The Sun, Sink Slowly In the West
Thoughts And Well Wishes For A’s Prospect Ryan Lasko
The Athletics and the Cost of a Bad Extension
A’s Late Rally Falls Short as Marlins Complete the Sweep
A’s Take Series Finale, Beat Dodgers