Athletics First Baseman Tyler Soderstrom has taken Major League Baseball by storm in his first 17 games of the regular season. He had the best game of his young career last night on the road against the Chicago White Sox. Soderstrom finished 3-of-5 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI. It was his third game this season with multiple home runs. He is only the second player in franchise history with three multiple home run games in the team’s first 17 games. He joined Reggie Jackson in 1974 on that exclusive list.
Soderstrom is also the fifth player in league history with three multiple home run games in his first 17 contests. He is the first player age 23 or younger with three multi-home run games in his first 17 games of a season. He accomplished this feat the earliest of any player in league history. It took Carlos Delgado until April 20, 2001, to accomplish it. Soderstrom is leading the league in home runs and is sixth in RBI and OPS. Will Soderstrom be able to keep up his high level of play for the Athletics?
Athletics Season Summary
The team has been mediocre this regular season. They are 7-10. The Athletics have been led by their offense. Soderstrom has played a huge role in that. The team is 10th in batting average, fifth in home runs, and 12th in runs scored. The issue for the ballclub has been its pitching staff. They are 28th in ERA, 26th in opposing batting average, and 28th in WHIP. Even if the team can keep it up on offense a poor pitching staff will hamper the squad.
Final Thoughts
The Athletics return to the diamond this evening for the middle game of their three-game set with the Chicago White Sox. The Athletics must keep swinging the bat well while getting improved production from its pitching staff.
