Ryan

Noda

No massive surprises here as the Angels finalize their season-opening roster. Noda, Lugo and Robinson will kick off the year back in the minors as extra organizational depth. It was assumed that Lugo would get a spot on Los Angeles’ Opening Day roster following Mickey Moniak’s release, but his spot is going to Kyren Paris instead.

Blum mentioned that, based on comments from Angels’ management, “it seems more likely for a backup first baseman to come in the form of a more versatile infielder.” That means Niko Kavadas and Ryan Noda are less likely to win the job. Blum suggests that Rendon, “who isn’t likely to get everyday reps at third base,” could serve as a backup at both positions, potentially starting versus left-handed pitchers. Maybe this part-time role could keep him healthy all season, but it’s hard to see him having much fantasy value outside of the deepest formats.

A busy couple of days for the Angels to open the offseason. Noda, 28, showed some flashes in 2023 with a .364 on-base percentage as a Rule 5 draft pick from Toronto, but he was awful in 2024 over 36 games with a .465 OPS. The Angels will try and get Noda to find that 2023 form as a potential option off the bench.

Noda was sent down in May after posting just a .440 OPS with the Athletics. The 28-year-old was solid in 2023 with a .770 mark, and he’ll look to refind that form after hitting 22 homers and getting on at a .391 clip in the Pacific Coast League.

Noda didn’t immediately turn things around after his demotion to Triple-A at the beginning of May, but he’s now hit .288/.436/.675 with eight homers in his last 22 games. The A’s are committed to Tyler Soderstrom at first base at the moment, so unless they want to give Brent Rooker a bunch more outfield time, there’s no room for Noda at the moment. A Rooker trade might change that next month.

The 28-year-old outfielder will head back to the minors to continue his development as he got off to a brutal start this season. Noda has just 11 hits in his 100 plate appearances with the Athletics this season. He showed some promise last season with a .770 OPS but that’s dipped over 300 points to .440 in 2024.

Noda went hitless over the week, and saw his average fall to .143 with an 0-for-4 game against the Orioles on Monday. Abraham Toro is hitting fourth and playing first base while Noda retreats to the bench.

Noda hit leadoff in his first seven appearances for the A’s this season. His last four starts have seen him hit sixth, seventh, eighth and now ninth. The only way to drop him further now is to put him on the bench. It seems like he deserves a chance to rebound, considering that he was one of Oakland’s best players last season, but it’s been ugly so far; he’s batting .156 with one extra-base hit, very weak exit velocity numbers and a far higher groundball rate than last year.

No word yet on the reason for the change as Tyler Nevin will take over at first base and bat seventh in his absence. The 28-year-old first baseman is batting .212 (7-for-33) with zero homers, one RBI and a 12/5 K/BB ratio through 10 games.

Gelof exploded onto the fantasy scene last year and will bat in the heart of Oakland’s lineup to kick off the 2024 campaign. Here’s the full lineup: Ryan Noda 1B, Gelof 2B, JJ Bleday CF, Brent Rooker DH, Seth Brown LF, J.D. Davis 3B, Shea Langeliers C, Lawrence Butler RF and Nick Allen SS.