Athletics 2026 Season Preview: A Young, Talented Offense Surrounded By Little Else

The Athletics’ 2025 season was marked by significant improvement. So much so that they were able to win more games in a season since 2021. While the team formerly residing in Oakland only won 76 games, it could be a sign of things to come. A reason to be bullish on this team mainly rests in the A’s core group of players: Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, and Tyler Soderstrom are mainstays who helped with the run-scoring department. Jacob Wilson, Shea Langeliers, and Nick Kurtz are also key contributors to this team.

However, that’s where the positivity ends. The offense has a chance to take a step forward, but the same cannot be said for the pitching and defense. This is an A’s squad that finished last in earned run average in the American League (4.70) and 27th overall. With little changes made during the offseason beyond rewarding those already on the roster, the onus will be on those same players to improve in the pitching department.

Athletics Will Have To Score A Bunch To Be Competitive

Trivia time. Guess where the Athletics ranked in home runs and the number of players who hit 30 dingers last season? If you said seventh (219 HR) and three players (Langeliers, Kurtz, Rooker), then either you are a true A’s fan or have the memory of an elephant. In fact, the three batters posting 30-HR seasons were tied for the most in the league with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs. With all of the core from 2025 intact, similar numbers should be expected.

As far as total runs scored, the Athletics were 12th in baseball, but they will bear the burden of having to score more to seriously contend for a playoff spot. Fortunately, this team has young, budding stars who should become even better. Shortstop Jason Wilson, who signed an extension for seven years and $70 million in the offseason, turns 24 years old on March 30 but finished tied for second in the AL with a .311 BA.

The same can be said for 23-year-old First Baseman Nick Kurtz. Kurtz belted 36 home runs as a rookie to lead the Athletics, so it would be a safe assumption that the AL Rookie of the Year has a chance to make a leap in year two. The most remarkable thing about his first season is his 117 games played. Just think of what Kurtz can do if he reaches 130-140 games.

Soderstrom is another hitter south of the 25-year-old mark who figures to contribute heavily. In his first season as an everyday player (third overall), he drove in 93 runs to go along with 25 home runs in 158 games. It is not unreasonable to suggest the outfielder could notch a 30-HR season for the Athletics in 2026.

Athletics’ Pitching Will Be the Bane Of Their Season

There is little reason to believe the A’s will suddenly vault themselves into the upper echelon of pitching and defense. And that is putting it as delicately as possible. The pitching should not scare any opponent, even after signing Aaron Civale to be a starter and longtime veteran Scott Barlow for the bullpen.

Some positives could be taken into this season. The A’s only allowed a 39.8 hard-hit percentage in 2025, which was tied for seventh-best in baseball. Also, their average exit velocity allowed was third in MLB at 88.8 MPH.

However, some pitchers who contributed to those statistics are no longer with the Athletics. Gone are relievers Mason Miller and Sean Newcomb to the White Sox and Padres, respectively. Even with Miller and Newcomb, there was still more terrible than awesome to this unit as a whole.

A’s pitchers gave up 222 hits that reached the seats, trailing only the Los Angeles Angels (223) and the Colorado Rockies (251). Their 1,323 strikeouts? 20th. Batting average? Tied for 7th highest (.253). Quality starts? Sixth fewest (43). And it goes on.

Prediction For Athletics’ 2026 Season

Just like a year ago, the Athletics are going to be a joy to watch operate as an offense. They have a bevy of solid young hitters, and all of them have a chance to outperform their 2025 outputs. And if that does happen, look out!

What will be the demise of this season will be their pitching. The staff has too many holes, and there isn’t much hope that it will become an average unit. It is a shame because this is a club that will be able to go toe-to-toe with any offense in the league.

Also, it would be exciting for sports fans in Las Vegas to witness a winning ball club even before the Athletics officially move to “Sin City” in 2028. Their pitching will make these things moot.

Final Prediction: 77-85, no playoffs