Home cookin': Gelof homers in fourth straight

Monday was the final game of a six-game set between Triple-A Las Vegas and Round Rock, and every game had Zack Gelof's fingerprints on it.

The Athletics’ No. 3 prospect tore the cover off the ball during the homestand, tallying a hit in every game and launching a home run in each of the last four. The most recent moonshot came on Monday night, in the Aviators’ 10-7 loss to the Express.

The tater came in the eighth inning, with Tyler Soderstrom – the Athletics' No. 1 prospect – on first base and right-hander Alex Speas on the mound. The outing was Speas’ second appearance for Round Rock after pitching two shutout innings in relief against Las Vegas on June 30. This time around, Gelof wasn’t going to let Speas off so easily; the 23-year-old demolished a 404-foot shot that came off the bat at 104.5 mph.

In six games against Round Rock, the former Virginia Cavalier went 10-for-24 with four long balls and three doubles. The offensive outburst was enough to land him a spot on the Prospect Team of Week.

“I think it’s just trying to keep it simple, being as athletic as possible in the box and just having fun,” Gelof said. “When you’re loose and use your athleticism, then good things happen. And just trying to have fun because at the end of the day, we’re just playing a game trying to get better and it's fun doing it.”

Not only was Gelof an offensive powerhouse in the series, but he has also been on fire at the plate in every home game this year. The Delaware native is slashing .339/.440/.616 while playing at Las Vegas Ballpark, compared to a .256/.371/.430 line in away games.

“I actually just found that out,” Gelof said. “A few days ago, I looked at my splits. I thought I didn’t really hit that great at home because I really didn’t think I saw the ball as well. I think it’s just at home I have the same routine and we have a great clubhouse, eat well, sleep at home and stuff.”

Gelof must have a memory-foam bed, because those nights sleeping at home have led to massive production. Three of his four dingers traveled over 400 feet with the longest going 434 feet, and he put together a 3-for-5 performance on July 1, when he also stole a base.

The only streak Gelof has had to this degree was in September last season when he swatted four big flies in four games. The difference in that streak was that he slugged two in one game and zero in another.

On the season, Gelof is slashing .296/.404/.519 with 11 home runs and 19 stolen bases. He will try to continue his hot streak in the team’s next series vs. El Paso.