The Bat Is Back For Bruce Maxwell

MESA, Ariz.—From the day Bruce Maxwell signed with the Athletics as a 2012 second-round pick, he was tasked with one major goal: become a quality catcher.

Maxwell had played mostly first base growing up before moving behind the plate as a junior at Division III Birmingham-Southern. He possessed a strong arm and moved well behind the plate but had much to learn.

Still, Maxwell impressed A’s area scout Kelcey Mucker with his defensive potential.

Through the next four seasons, Maxwell worked hard to educate himself about the tools of ignorance. He arrived at the park early nearly every day to work on blocking balls in the dirt or improving his release on throws.

The 26-year-old Maxwell put in so much work that he now earns more praise for his glove than his bat.

Maxwell mashed in college. The lefthanded batter hit .471 with 15 homers and a .928 slugging percentage as a junior. Contrast that with his performance at Double-A Midland in 2015, when he hit .243 with two home runs in 96 games.

His fortune changed last year at Triple-A Nashville, when Maxwell hit .321/.393/.539 with 10 homers in 60 games prior to his callup to Oakland on July 23.

“I’ve always had to put my hitting on hold to work on my defense,” Maxwell said. “Once I got more comfortable behind the plate, I could put more time into my hitting. I started driving the ball better and putting everything together.”

The A’s are excited about Maxwell’s future.

“Originally, we thought he’d be more of a catch-and-throw guy coming up,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “His framing numbers were terrific, but he swung the bat really well for us.

“He’s come full circle for us as a complete player. At this point, he looks to be a two-way catcher.”

A’s ACORNS

• The A’s opened their minor league mini-camp concurrently with big league spring camp. They had 32 players in camp, 17 of them pitchers. Among those invited were 2016 draft picks Logan Shore (second round)and Daulton Jefferies (supplemental first), both college righthanders.

• Farm director Keith Lieppman said that third baseman Matt Chapman made an immediate impression at big league camp. He reported in excellent shape and began ripping line drives in his first hitting drills.

— Casey Tefertiller is a writer based in Oakland