The Athletics enter Year 2 in Sacramento on the heels of one of their best seasons in recent memory, and they’re starting to get some national spotlight.

ESPN released its 2026 lineup rankings, and the A’s found themselves in the top-10 (almost top-five), joining some of the best teams in the league.

Headed by a core of young talent that includes slugging first baseman Nick Kurtz and All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson, the Athletics’ lineup was ranked sixth among all 30 MLB teams by ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle, placing them ahead of postseason teams like the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies:

Slow and strong. Isn’t this kind of what you think about when it comes to a contention-worthy Athletics lineup?

The patience part of the dossier is not really on brand for the A’s, however, and you do wonder if maybe there is some progress to be made in that department considering the youth up and down the batting order.

How Strong Is The Athletics’ Lineup?

Unlike past years, when the Athletics shipped off young talent rather than establish long-term stability by signing players to contract extensions, the A’s did the latter this offseason.

American League Rookie of the Year runner-up and All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson inked a seven-year, $70 million extension that will keep him in green and gold through the 2032 season.

Left fielder and first baseman Tyler Soderstrom, fresh off a 25-home run season in 2025, signed a seven-year, $86 million deal.

With slugger Brent Rooker and outfielder Lawrence Butler also on long-term deals, the Athletics roster has some franchise staples to build around, and we haven’t even gotten to the main centerpiece of it all.

There are few hitters who have burst onto the MLB scene with as much dominance as Nick Kurtz did during the 2025 season, and the reigning AL Rookie of the Year is just getting started.

Kurtz, just 22 years old, mashed 36 home runs and drove in 86 runs after being called up in late April. The fourth-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft batted .290 and posted a 1.002 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, good enough for second in the American League, only trailing New York Yankees’ MVP outfielder Aaron Judge.

With Kurtz, Wilson, Soderstrom, Rooker, Butler, and slugging catcher Shea Langeliers (31 HR in 2025) in the fold for 2026, the Athletics offense is shaping up to be among the best in baseball.

A bounce-back year from recently-acquired second baseman Jeff McNeil would do wonders for the bottom of the order, as McNeil arrives following an offseason trade with the New York Mets that sent a minor-league pitcher to the Big Apple.

McNeil won a National League batting title in 2022, but has hit .253 over the past three seasons.

Here’s what the Athletics’ current batting order looks like for 2026:

2026 Athletics Roster & Projected Batting Order

(Fangraphs)

The bottom of the order is one of the weaker points of this Athletics roster, but Max Muncy has upside at the hot corner, and Denzel Clarke’s elite defense makes him a must-start option.

Backup catcher Austin Wynns, infielder Andy Ibanez, outfielder Colby Thomas, and outfielder Carlos Cortes round out the A’s bench depth.

Upcoming Athletics & MLB Offseason Schedule

February-March: Spring Training
Friday, March 27th – @ Toronto Blue Jays – 4:07 PM PT (Opening Day)

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