Bell, Ariz. – Jesus Aguilar feels that he has been here before.
Aguilar brought batting experience to the young Marlins club in 2020, which advanced to the hour mark for the first time in 17 years. He just said it’s in a similar situation with the A’s.
» It is almost like this; a combination of veterans and young players,” said Aguilar.
“The opportunity here was clear. I want to be something good. I want to create. I want to build something good. In the future maybe they will say, ‘Aggius was part of this.’ I’ve been in this before, with Miami. I want to do the same here. I think we have what it takes. Let’s hope it happens.”
Aguilar was projected in the middle of Oakland’s order as the regular designated hitter, with some showings at first base, after coming to the Bay Area on a $3 million, one-year deal.
He had a career year with Milwaukee in 2018, hitting 35 home runs and driving in 108 runs with an .890 OPS in 149 games.
Now he comes to Oakland after almost three years with Miami, with whom he hit 45 total home runs, before arriving in Baltimore for the final stretch of the last season.
“I’m hoping to have a 2018 Jesús Aguilar version,” admitted Mark Kotsay. “A guy who can be in the middle of the lineup, since he is part of the success of the team.”
Although the Venezuelan has been in the athletic camp for a few weeks, his teammates are starting to feel his presence in the clubhouse.
“The personality itself is fun,” Kotsay said. Many people may confuse laughter with a lack of attention, but it is not so. There is someone who wants to be calm. Go out and enjoy. It’s a positive for the clubhouse.”
Seth Brown, Aguilar and possibly some of the other veteran additions, Jace Peterson, are expected to be in the middle of the order. Brown believes his presence, along with Cuban Aledmys Díaz and Venezuelan Manny Piña, will help in many ways.
“His presence makes him calm. You have to see that confidence in the kid,” Brown said of Aguilar. “That’s what a major league player is like. It’s good to have him here. It’s good to have everyone. They’re the kind of guys that we need to see younger people, and how professional they are. conduct themselves in business”.
