HOUSTON -- Don't let Sean Manaea's size fool you. It wasn't long ago the 6-foot-5 pitcher was scared of the ball, a fear born in Little League when he was hit by a pitch on his back.
Ever since, "I never cared for hitting," Manaea said.
The A's lefty has changed his tune, though, as he preps for his Major League hitting debut in Milwaukee on Tuesday. Manaea, a self-proclaimed "terrible" hitter in high school, is actually looking forward to it, after crafting a swing and honing his skills in the cage during recent weeks.