Zack Gelof -- General News

Zack Gelof has become a standout performer for the Oakland Athletics in 2023 despite the team's struggles. The second baseman was drafted by Oakland in 2021 as the 60th overall pick and has emerged as a second-half revelation, batting .269 with 10 home runs and 23 RBIs through 47 games. His rise to prominence is rooted in a fiercely competitive relationship with his younger brother Jake. The brothers shared remarkable athletic milestones: one year as undefeated middle-school teammates, two years as high school teammates winning a state championship, and one year at the University of Virginia reaching the College World Series. Their paths diverged professionally when Zack was drafted by Oakland in 2021, while Jake completed his college career. Remarkably, Jake was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2023 draft with the identical 60th overall pick. Growing up in Delaware, the brothers' competitiveness was forged through constant rivalry, with Zack determined to prevent his younger brother from succeeding. This competitive drive, initially expressed through living room games that occasionally resulted in broken picture frames and injuries, has translated into Gelof's performance as he works to push the Athletics toward respectability.

Zack Gelof made his spring training debut in center field for the Oakland Athletics on Sunday against the Guardians, completing his rehab from a dislocated left shoulder. Despite not seeing any action through the first four innings, Gelof's first opportunity came in the fifth inning on a well-struck drive by David Fry that he initially lost in the sun. With assistance from right fielder Colby Thomas, Gelof regained sight of the ball and made a leaping catch at the warning track, crashing into the center-field wall. Manager Mark Kotsay emphasized this was similar to moves made by Tyler Soderstrom and indicated the A's will continue testing Gelof in outfield positions throughout the remainder of spring training.

Gelof's transition to the outfield comes after the A's acquired Jeff McNeil to serve as their everyday second baseman this offseason. Since being drafted in 2021, Gelof had played only one prior game in the outfield as a professional—a full nine innings in May 2022 for Double-A Midland. Kotsay stated that versatility is valuable in today's game and that Gelof will continue receiving looks not only in center field but also in corner outfield spots. Offensively, Gelof has worked on adjusting his swing mechanics during the offseason as he looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season.