Mark Kotsay analyzes Athletics' defensive improvements during 2026 MLB season
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay speaks with reporters before his team's game against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday at Sutter Health Park.
Mark Kotsay analyzes Athletics' defensive improvements during 2026 MLB season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Yeah, Perkins, going after an opener a couple times now.
With him going back into the traditional starter role, just do you feel like that time following an opener maybe could help a young pitcher like that, uh- I mean, you always hope, you're always hopeful to look at ways to, to give guys, you know, whether it's easier entry points or, or better, you know, solution to maybe getting them through a little bit of a tougher time.
You know, I think, you know, we had success with it.
We didn't have success with it, but really it comes down to, like, kind of the availability of the bullpen, the match-ups that you look at.
You know, and, obviously we're starting off, you know, a- this is game two of 13 with, with a pen that, worked pretty hard last night.
Yes.
Well, today is about two weeks Denzel Clark has been with the Aviators in Triple-A.
Could you talk about what you're hearing from, what he's doing down there?
Is he ready to come up here?
The play progression is not finished yet.
It's, it's He's obviously playing back-to-back today.
I knew you'd ask me about some minor league stuff, so I had to prepare, which, you know- Good was great.
He did hit a ball good to right center yesterday.
A couple more ground balls, mixed in.
Played seven innings of defense.
He'll play seven innings of defense tonight.
So that progression's going, going really well.
Again, Denzel hasn't played baseball since April, so, this has to be a, a, a, you know, like we talked about, an extended timeframe to get him, back into baseball shape.
So, all things aside, he's, he's doing nicely right now with, with the way he feels.
Yes.
And, about defense, you may or may not get the all-time record by the Athletics in errors, less errors in a season.
You're very close to that, but you still have a month to go.
Anyways, how proud are you about the progress of your defense this year, and, how this, you know, compares to not a very good season, but having a very good se- season defensively?
Yeah, I think, you know, that's the traditional way to look at defense is, is based on, you know, catching the baseball and making the fundamental plays.
I think we've done a nice job with that for the most part this season.
It's a reflection of the errors, and where we are.
If you look at the defense based on the new analytical data, you know, which, which includes outs above average, range, things of that nature, we still don't sit in the top 10, which is, you know, something that we're gonna continue to address and look at ways to improve that number.
Obvi- obviously, it, it's an athleticism, component, from that range standpoint, and, and I think that's an area where we are gonna look to add to, the roster in some ways.
