Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire

Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 29th

Team Strengths

Among their projected starters for 2025 via FanGraphs, the team leader in Defensive Runs Saved at a position is third baseman Gio Urshela with 0. 

Yes, that’s correct. No runs saved is the best they can do at the moment. It’s tough to feel optimistic about their defensive outlook knowing that.

Team Weaknesses

They look like they’re going to struggle up the middle.

Center Fielder J.J. Bleday had -19 Runs Saved there last year, the worst total in the majors. His backup, Esteury Ruiz, had -18 Runs Saved in center field for the A’s in 2023.

Catcher Shea Langeliers has had back-to-back seasons of -13 and -10 Runs Saved and ranks near the bottom in both pitch framing and pitch blocking.

Other Things To Know

There’s some excitement about shortstop Jacob Wilson, a first round pick in 2023, had -4 Runs Saved in 27 games there last season and had -12 Runs Saved in a 66-game sample in the minors the last two years. Eric Longenhagen praised Wilson’s ability to make acrobatic plays, so perhaps the potential is there for him to be better. But we don’t see it just yet.

The A’s best defensive prospect is center fielder Denzel Clarke whom Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs says is “likely to grow into an elite defender.” Very few minor league center fielders post positive Defensive Runs Saved totals in extended stretches, but Clarke had 3 Runs Saved in center field (and 4 in right field in a short stint) in 88 games in 2024.

Are the A’s A Good Defensive Team?

No, they figure to be one of the worst in the majors this year.