Tuesday, September 16

Hello! Welcome to another edition of the A’s Beat newsletter.

The Athletics are sending eight prospects to the Arizona Fall League for some extra work after the 2025 season comes to an end.

The group is headlined by four players on the A’s Top 30 prospects list: 3B Tommy White (No. 8), SS Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (No. 11), OF Ryan Lasko (No. 18) and LHP Will Johnston (No. 19). Also representing the club in the AFL will be right-handers Mark Adamiak, Corey Avant, Nathan Dettmer and Blaze Pontes.

White is currently competing alongside Kuroda-Grauer and Johnston in the Texas League Playoffs as teammates with Double-A Midland. The 22-year-old third baseman began the year at High-A Lansing and dealt with a couple of injuries before making the jump to Double-A in late July, a couple of weeks after representing the A’s in the All-Star Futures Game. Between High-A and Double-A, White finished the Minor League regular season by slashing .275/.334/.439 with 12 home runs, 23 doubles and 51 RBIs in 93 games.

Kuroda-Grauer, 22, also began the year at High-A and was promoted along with White to Double-A on July 29. The shortstop hasn’t developed much power to this point, but his superb bat-to-ball skills have been on full display. Batting .296 between the two levels, Kuroda-Grauer struck out just 49 times in 549 plate appearances during the regular season.

“JKG is a well-rounded winning player,” said A’s assistant general manager and director of player personnel Billy Owens, who compared Kuroda-Grauer to big leaguers Nico Hoerner and Josh Harrison. “He plays an outstanding shortstop and carries elite contact skills. With our team configuration, Josh’s versatility, adaptability, competitiveness and high character, he will fit in well on our next contending team.”

All eight A’s prospects will be playing for the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL. Mesa’s first game is set for Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The A's were one of the original American League franchises when the league began play in 1901. Which club did the A's face in their very first regular-season game?

A. Boston Americans

B. Cleveland Blues

C. Baltimore Orioles

D. Washington Senators

“The one thing that stands out is that we had to release him. I probably took it harder than him. It killed me. I [freaking] loved him. He played first base for us a little bit, even though he’s an outfielder. He took to it. Just a good teammate. Actually, a great teammate. That’s what I remember.”

-- Reds manager Terry Francona on A’s manager Mark Kotsay, whom he managed as a player on the Red Sox from 2008-09.

The A’s are honoring their fans in West Sacramento with several promotions for their final homestand of the season at Sutter Health Park, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Tuesday, Sept. 23 vs. Astros: Lawrence Butler will be honored as the A’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee as part of Roberto Clemente Night, which will also double as Latin and Hispanic Heritage Night.

Friday, Sept. 26 vs. Royals: All fans in attendance will receive a limited edition green and gold crew neck sweatshirt featuring “Sacramento” emblazoned across the chest and the A’s logo on the left sleeve.

Saturday, Sept. 27: Special postgame fireworks themed to rock music.

Sunday, Sept. 28: Fan Appreciation Weekend wraps up with several in-game giveaways and a Topps Truck Tour Stop, featuring a Buy One, Get One 50% off deal on all trading cards.

For more information, visit:

https://www.mlb.com/athletics/tickets/promotions

Sept. 8, 2002

Barry Zito wins his 20th game of the season as he combines with Jim Mecir and Ricardo Rincon on a three-hit shutout of the Twins in Minnesota. Zito went on to win 23 games that year and earned the American League Cy Young Award.

-- Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito -- The Big Three -- reunited on Saturday for their induction into the A’s Hall of Fame. More >>

-- Nick Kurtz’s gargantuan 493-foot home run, the longest in MLB since 2023, left everyone speechless. More >>

-- A’s No. 1 prospect Leo De Vries continued his hot streak at Double-A Midland with a two-homer game. More >>

D. Washington Senators

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