Miguel Andújar’s journey from rising star to baseball afterthought has been anything but ordinary. Once the talk of the Bronx, the former Yankees standout saw injuries and roster shuffles derail his career, leaving him in search of another chance. Now, in a fresh start with the Athletics, Andújar is making noise in Spring Training, hitting .467 with two home runs and reminding everyone why he was once one of the most exciting young hitters in the game. His resilience and determination make him a compelling figure as he fights to reestablish himself at the major league level, proving that his story is far from over.

But Andújar isn’t the only surprise of the A’s spring campaign. Enter Elvis Alvarado, a hard-throwing right-hander who’s bounced around six organizations before landing in Oakland. After an eye-catching spring debut, A’s manager Mark Kotsay has hinted that Alvarado could make the Opening Day roster—a shocking turn for a pitcher who was a waiver-wire afterthought just weeks ago. With other surprises emerging, including Lawrence Butler’s red-hot start and Seth Brown’s unexpected struggles, the A’s early spring performances are setting the stage for an intriguing 2025 season.