A lot of “baseball experts” chuckled when A’s GM Billy Beane gave 26-year old righty swinging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes a huge contract over the winter. But, he who laughs last, laughs the hardest. Cespedes has been red hot with the bat since June 1st, playing in 40 games in which he is 51 of 149 (.342 avg) with 24 runs scored, 9 homers, 32 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has been especially hot in July, playing in 21 games in which he is 28 of 82 (.341 avg, 1.003 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 5 homers, 18 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Cespedes has now played in 68 games overall this year for the A’s and he is 77 of 255 (.302 avg, .902 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 14 homers, 53 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. The A’s hope that Cespedes’ bat stays hot the rest of the year.