Bleday on 'right trajectory' for more after strong '24

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Given Brent Rooker¡¯s 39 homers and Lawrence Butler¡¯s spectacular second half, it could be easy to overlook the player who led the A¡¯s with 43 doubles in 2024: center fielder JJ Bleday.

In his first full season in the Majors, Bleday slashed .243/.324/.437 with 20 homers and 60 RBIs. Among qualified hitters who played center field in at least 60 percent of their games, Bleday¡¯s 120 OPS+ ranked fourth in the Majors, trailing only Aaron Judge, Jackson Merrill and Jarren Duran.

In light of his 2024 season, Bleday has much more job security this Spring Training than he has had before ... though he's trying not to act like it.

"I'm always coming out here and earning my spot every single day,¡± Bleday said. ¡°Nothing's really ever given to you. I don't believe in that. It gives me that edge every day and helps me get better. I'm going out here trying to earn center field every single day.¡±

One of the 27-year-old¡¯s primary goals this spring is to improve his defense in center field. He has honed in on drills that will improve his reads.

"The most important thing with outfield is just those first three to six steps,¡± Bleday said. ¡°You want to do your best to be camped under every ball. It's been good. I feel like I've really been improving.¡±

"It's not easy,¡± Athletics manager Mark Kotsay, a former center fielder himself, said. ¡°Center field can be a challenging position. Most of those reads in front of you take time to get comfortable with. [Bleday¡¯s] first full season of playing center field, being healthy, I'm looking for improvement this year from him.¡±

While Bleday played exclusively center field last year, being able to focus primarily on that position is still relatively new for him. Prior to 2024, he spent significant time in the outfield corners in each season of his professional career.

After canvassing center field at the Oakland Coliseum for much of last year, Bleday will have to adapt to a new home outfield in 2025 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. He said it will feel like playing on the road at first, but added that he's looking forward to the challenge.

Offensively, Bleday is looking to take a more advanced approach at the plate.

"Taking chances and knowing when to sit on certain pitches,¡± he said, ¡°have a feel for the game, be better with situational hitting. With bases loaded, for example, don't be trying to hit a grand slam every time. Just be smart and just touch it and get the ribby to get a run on the board.¡±

Bleday noted that he's put on some good weight this offseason and that he feels strong in the box.

"He¡¯s on the right trajectory,¡± Kotsay said, ¡°to have a lot of success.¡±

Bido struggles with command amid blustery conditions

Prior to Osvaldo Bido's second Cactus League start on Saturday, Kotsay said that he would like to see improved fastball command from the 29-year-old right-hander. That didn't happen, as Bido walked three, hit two batters and allowed three runs on one hit in 2 1/3 innings in the A's 5-0 loss to the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

While Kotsay said that he would not want to use it as an excuse, it is worth noting that it was an unusually windy afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

"The conditions were tough,¡± Kotsay said. ¡°The ball was slick. But overall, we know that [Bido] can be erratic. We also know that he has the ability to strike guys out, and we¡¯ve seen that last season. We¡¯re gonna get him back out there in five days.¡±

Bido was pleased with the fact that he only allowed one hit, and not much hard contact. ¡°I feel good about it,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s easier to adjust from that."

Kotsay said recently that Bido, who posted a 3.41 ERA in 16 games (nine starts) in 2024, has ¡°frontline starter¡± potential.