Not long ago, the Athletics were written off as baseball’s laughingstock. Attendance was nonexistent, relocation headlines dominated the news, and the roster looked like a placeholder until Vegas. Fast forward to late 2025, and that story feels very different. The bats are alive, the pitching has found its footing, and young talent is arriving all at once. For the first time in years, the A’s aren’t just surviving – they’re building something.
Lineup Power Surge
Since the All-Star break, the A’s lineup has been one of the best in the American League, posting a 113 wRC+, third-highest in the AL. This isn't just some stat to try and make the team look threatening - it is real, sustained production driven by a surprisingly dangerous core.
Shea Langeliers has blossomed into a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat, sitting just shy of 30 homers, while playing the most demanding position on the field, catcher. Nick Kurtz, the rookie, is hitting like a superstar and has positioned himself to win the American League Rookie of the Year. Brent Rooker, fresh off his second All-Star nod, continues to provide steady power from the Designated Hitter spot, and Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler look to be future core players as they are both on pace to finish with 25+ homers this season. Additionally, rookie Jacob Wilson has established himself as one of baseball's best contact hitters, posting the second-highest batting average in all of baseball at .315.
This isn’t a one-bat team anymore. Oakland is staring at the possibility of four players potentially reaching 30 homers, a feat no A’s team has ever accomplished. While some of that production can be linked to the fact that the A’s are playing in a minor league stadium, there’s no denying the fact that their lineup is in good hands for the foreseeable future.
Pitching Staff Coming Together
For years, Oakland’s pitching staff was a revolving door of placeholders and reclamation projects. Not anymore. Since the break, the A’s have put up a 3.87 ERA — third-best in the AL. Even more impressive, their bullpen has been the best in the league with a 3.16 ERA.
The rotation doesn’t feature big names, but it’s stabilizing. Jacob Lopez has been better than advertised, Luis Morales looks like a future anchor, and Jeffrey Springs has provided steady veteran innings. The bullpen has been even stronger, turning late-game situations from automatic losses into consistent wins, despite the loss of star closer Mason Miller at the trade deadline.
For a team trying to build credibility, having a pitching staff that can hold its own against contenders is a massive step forward.
A Franchise With New Energy
The move to Sacramento was supposed to be a stopgap and a placeholder before the team officially moved to Las Vegas. However, it seems that the move has injected new life into the team, and they desperately needed it after playing in empty stadiums in Oakland for years. Crowds are louder, the players are responding, and what was meant to be a transition year is turning into something else entirely.
For years, the A’s looked like they were just going through the motions. Now, it finally feels like they’re playing with a sense of urgency.
What’s Next
The A’s second-half surge isn’t just a blip. The lineup has legitimate power, the pitching staff is trending up, and the bullpen is as good as anyone’s. Add in a core of players who are only going to get better, and suddenly, Oakland looks like a real threat heading into 2026.
Not long ago, this team was dismissed as irrelevant. Now, they look like the kind of club no contender wants to run into down the stretch. The Athletics aren’t the same joke they have been for the last 5 years – they’re finally becoming a threat in the American League.
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