Oakland A’s set franchise record: 6 players with 20+ homers

The 2019 season has seen home run records falling left and right around the majors, as the juiced ball has led to historic numbers of dingers. The Oakland A’s added another such achievement on Saturday.

Jurickson Profar hit his 20th of the season, giving the A’s six players with 20+ homers. That’s the most in franchise history.

• Matt Chapman (32)
• Matt Olson (29)
• Marcus Semien (26)
• Mark Canha (23)
• Ramon Laureano (21)
• Jurickson Profar (20)

What’s more, Khris Davis is right behind the pack, with 19 homers. The Twins (8) and Astros (6) are the other teams with at least six such players.

Back in August, Oakland set a similar franchise record, with 10 players reaching double-digit homers. The others on that list are Stephen Piscotty (13), Chad Pinder (12), and Josh Phegley (11). Next most on the team is Robbie Grossman (6).

Profar’s 20th also matched his career-high, which he set last season with the Rangers. This time he did it in 24 fewer games, and 136 fewer plate appearances.

Olson also equaled his personal best on Saturday, hitting his 29th. He did this despite missing the first month of the season to a broken hamate, so he matched his career-high in 54 fewer games and 199 fewer PAs.

“I just feel like I’m becoming more aware of my swing,” said Olson on Saturday. “When something feels off, I feel like I’m addressing it sooner than I have in the past and getting back on track.”

Chapman, Canha, and Laureano have also blown past their own previous highs, while Semien is one away from the 27 he blasted in 2016. For Chapman, the 32 match Eric Chavez (2001) for most ever by an Athletics third baseman. (Note: Chavy hit 34 in 2002, but several of them came as the DH.)

Overall, the 2019 A’s have 224 dingers, which ranks sixth place in franchise history. Their highest total came in 1996, with 243 taters, so they’re 20 away from breaking that mark with 20 games left to play.

All aboard! Next stop, Poundtown.