Chad Pinder was drafted in the supplemental 2nd round (71st overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2013 out of Virginia Tech. Coming up through the A’s system he was a solid hitter with good power who was able to play multiple defensive positions. From 2013 to 2017 he rated four times in the Oakland Top 30–getting as high as #7 is both 2016 and 2017.
Pinder made the majors for the first time in 2016 but has yet to see a full season in the big leagues. This season he did set a career high in games (110) and hit 258/.332/.436 with 13 home runs–good for an OPS+ of 111.
His production should not be a surprise, and next season he should spend the entire season with the big league club. He is older–he will be 27 in 2019–but he should be an important piece of the Athletics for the next couple years and I think he is going to have an excellent 2019 campaign.
| Year | Age | Tm | G | AB | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 24 | OAK | 22 | 51 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 14 | .235 | .273 | .373 | .645 | 76 |
| 2017 | 25 | OAK | 87 | 282 | 15 | 42 | 18 | 92 | .238 | .292 | .457 | .750 | 101 |
| 2018 | 26 | OAK | 110 | 298 | 13 | 27 | 27 | 88 | .258 | .332 | .436 | .769 | 111 |
| 3 Yr | 3 Yr | 3 Yr | 219 | 631 | 29 | 73 | 48 | 194 | .247 | .310 | .441 | .750 | 104 |
| 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 467 | 21 | 54 | 36 | 144 | .247 | .310 | .441 | .750 | 104 |