Oakland Athletics’ Lineup Prediction

1. Coco Crisp, Center Field

Apr 3, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) celebrates as he rounds the bases on a walk off home run against the Seattle Mariners during the twelfth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Crisp will head the offense in the leadoff role for the sixth consecutive year for the Oakland A’s. Crisp’s durability has always been a problem, however, as he has only played in 130 games in two of his five seasons in Oakland.

His base stealing ability is nothing to overlook, however, as he has stolen 160 bases and only been caught stealing 26 times with the A’s. He has also maintained a solid slash line of .261/.329/.406 with the green-and-gold, and when healthy, will jump-start the Oakland offense more times than not.

2. Ben Zobrist, Second Base

Sep 17, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist (18) singled during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in his career, Zobrist will not don a Tampa Bay Rays’ jersey on Opening Day. Zobrist has been in the discussion of trades for the past few seasons, but the Rays finally parted with their infield utility man this offseason. The A’s parted ways with John Jaso and a pair of prospects to acquire Zobrist, who will fit nicely into the A’s efficient offensive mindset.

Zobrist has a career on-base-percentage of .354. Although he isn’t necessarily known for his power the switch-hitting second baseman has three seasons of 20+ home runs, including 27 long balls in the 2009 season. Zobrist is a two-time All-Star and has played each position in his major league career except pitcher and catcher.

3. Josh Reddick, Right Field

September 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (16) celebrates after hitting a two-RBI double scoring third baseman Josh Donaldson (20, not pictured) and pinch-runner

(19, not pictured) during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Reddick has experienced the roller coaster of being a major league ballplayer the past two years after having the best year of his career in 2012 before falling back to Earth the past two seasons. In 2012, Reddick hit 32 balls out of the park, knocked in 85 runs, and won an American League Gold Glove Award while playing in 156 games. He didn’t fare as well in his next two campaigns with Oakland, however.

In the past two years, Reddick has averaged just 111 games, 12 home runs, and 55 RBIs per season. He struggled mightily in 2013 with a batting average that hung just above the .200 mark all year before finishing with a .226 average. Health was a major issue last season, when he only took the field in 109 games, but he did post a healthy .264 batting average. The power was not there, however, as he only hit seven home runs.

Next: Big Hitters in the Middle