Former MLB player says A’s young core is ‘for real’

Former MLB player and A’s analyst Shooty Babitt offered a candid and insightful look at the state of the Athletics during his appearance on Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, touching on everything from the team’s promising young core to broader changes across baseball.

When discussing the current Athletics roster, Babitt made it clear that there is real optimism surrounding the team’s future, one that already includes long-term extensions for players like shortstop Jacob Wilson, outfielder-first baseman Tyler Soderstrom, and outfielder Lawrence Butler.

Last year’s American League Rookie of the Year award winner, Nick Kurtz, is also a candidate to sign a long-term pact with the Athletics.

“Our young players are for real. They are tuned up. They scaled up. They got talent,” Babitt said. He emphasized the cohesion developing among the group, noting that “there’s about six of them” who are beginning to click, giving fans something tangible to believe in moving forward.

Entering play on Thursday, the Athletics are 16-14, in sole possession of first place in the American League West through 30 games. Last season, the A’s were in fourth place in the AL West standings at this point in the schedule.

The only hitters that are 90th percentile or better in both Barrel% and K% this season:

Yordan Alvarez
CARLOS CORTES

Cortes is breaking out in a big way in 2026! pic.twitter.com/KyzHnn8TKo

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) April 28, 2026

One of the more intriguing storylines for the Athletics has been the emergence of outfielder Carlos Cortes, who has thrived after years in the minor leagues. Babitt praised both the player and the organization for identifying and nurturing that talent.

“You’ve got to give the front office a tremendous amount of credit,” he said, adding that Cortes’s maturity and approach stand out. “He’s not afraid, not over anxious. He doesn’t take a whole lot of poor swings.”

Cortes, 28, is batting .400 with four home runs and 13 RBI while sporting an impressive 1.165 OPS over 65 at-bats.

Babitt also pointed to Cortes’s long development path as a positive, contrasting it with today’s accelerated timelines.

“He spent time in the minor leagues, had an opportunity to rack up a bunch of at-bats and fail,” he explained. “Sometimes you come up here, and you get your head busted, and you don’t recover.”

Los is on 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/SCHjgwv0Mj

— Athletics (@Athletics) April 25, 2026

That patience, he believes, is paying off early in the Athletics season.

Beyond individual performances, Babitt addressed the evolution of the game itself, particularly how analytics have reshaped decision-making.

“It’s just a matter of accepting what it is,” he said. “The game is going to change if you like it or not.” While he appreciates improvements like the pitch clock—“It’s a game of pace, and I love that part of it”—he admitted not all changes sit well with him.

Still, his appreciation for baseball remains unwavering after nearly five decades in the sport.

“It’s one of the greatest games on Earth,” Babitt said. “There’s no way in the world that I can scream on the game at all, because it’s been so good to my family and me.”

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More MLB content from Sactown Sports

• Is Sacramento ready for MLB expansion? Former A’s owner weighs in
• Where does Leo De Vries fit within the A’s defense?
• A’s star Brent Rooker on embracing Year 2 in Sacramento
• West Sacramento Mayor: Region Pushing for MLB Expansion

Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule

• Friday, May 1st – Sunday, May 3rd vs. Cleveland Guardians
• Tuesday, May 5th – Thursday, May 7th @ Philadelphia Phillies
• Friday, May 8th – Sunday, May 10th – @ Baltimore Orioles
• Tuesday, May 12th – Thursday, May 14th – vs. St. Louis Cardinals
• Friday, May 15th – Sunday, May 17th – vs. San Francisco Giants

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