As the Oakland Athletics gear up for Year Two in their temporary West Sacramento digs at Sutter Health Park, all eyes turn to Arizona, where the groundwork for a bounce-back 2026 campaign is about to begin. With playoff aspirations back on the table, the A’s head into Spring Training looking to blend promising young talent with veteran reinforcements-and it all starts this week in Mesa.
Pitchers, Catchers, and the First Signs of Spring
The first official workout for pitchers and catchers is set for Wednesday, kicking off the team’s preparations in earnest. For the full squad, everyone will be on the field together starting February 16. That’s when the rhythm of Spring Training truly starts to take shape-bullpens, batting practice, and the early battles for roster spots.
For players involved in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, the schedule shifts slightly. Pitchers and catchers participating in the WBC have the option to report early on Monday, while position players are required to be in camp by February 12. The A’s will be well represented in the tournament, with right-handers Luis Severino and Elvis Alvarado suiting up for the Dominican Republic, Darell Hernaiz and Carlos Cortes playing for Puerto Rico, and Denzel Clarke representing Canada.
Where It All Happens: Hohokam Stadium
The A’s will once again call Hohokam Stadium in Mesa their Spring Training home. Just a few blocks south is the Lew Wolff Training Complex, where the bulk of the daily workouts will take place. Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the team before Cactus League games begin can head to the training complex-workouts typically start just after 9 a.m. local time and run into the early afternoon.
New Faces in Green and Gold
There’s a fresh mix of veterans and newcomers joining the A’s this spring. Former batting champ Jeff McNeil brings a contact-heavy bat and defensive versatility to second base after arriving in a trade with the Mets.
In the bullpen, right-handers Mark Leiter Jr. and Scott Barlow have signed one-year deals, adding proven arms to a relief corps that needed reinforcements. And Andy Ibáñez, a versatile infielder with big-league experience, was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers, giving the A’s more depth across the infield.
Youth Movement on Display
If you’re looking for a reason to get excited about the future, the A’s prospect group in camp should do the trick. Fifteen players from the club’s Top 30 Prospects list will be in big league camp, including three names that crack MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.
That group is headlined by Leo De Vries (No. 4 overall), a dynamic young shortstop with all the tools to be a franchise cornerstone. Joining him are left-handers Jamie Arnold (No. 41) and Gage Jump (No. 57), both of whom have shown the kind of stuff that plays at the next level.
Other top names to watch include Braden Nett (A’s No. 4), Henry Bolte (No.
5), Tommy White (No. 7), Kade Morris (No. 14), and Wei-En Lin (No.
19). All are considered close to MLB-ready, and Spring Training will give them a chance to show just how close they are.
Cactus League Opener and Key Matchups
The A’s will kick off Cactus League play on February 21, hitting the road to face the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Their home opener at Hohokam Stadium follows the next day against the Guardians.
Circle March 3 on your calendar-that’s when the A’s will take on Team Brazil at Hohokam in a special exhibition as Brazil preps for the World Baseball Classic. And don’t miss Big League Weekend in Las Vegas, where a split squad will face the Angels on March 7-8 at Las Vegas Ballpark, home of the club’s Triple-A affiliate.
Spring Breakout: A Glimpse Into the Future
One of the most exciting events on the spring calendar is Spring Breakout, a league-wide showcase of Minor League talent. The A’s will face the Brewers in their Spring Breakout game on March 22 at Hohokam Stadium.
It’s a chance for fans to get an early look at the next wave of talent-including intriguing two-way prospect Shotaro Morii, currently ranked as the club’s No. 21 prospect. Morii brings a rare combination of power and pitching polish that’s turning heads already.
The Road Ahead
Once the final spring game is in the books, the A’s won’t stick around the desert. They’ll head straight to Toronto to open the regular season. No additional exhibitions are scheduled, making every inning in Arizona that much more important for players trying to make their mark.
With a mix of seasoned vets, high-upside prospects, and a fresh energy heading into 2026, the Athletics are setting the stage for what could be a pivotal year in the franchise’s journey-both on the field and off it. Spring Training is just the beginning, but it’s where the tone gets set. And in Mesa, that tone is starting to sound a lot like optimism.