Neuse went 2-for-2 with a grand slam in a Cactus League win over the Padres on Sunday, raising his spring average to .379 across 31 at-bats.

EDGE Analysis

Neuse's fourth home run of spring came in the eighth inning to put the finishing touches on Oakland's victory, and in the process, likely his bid for an Opening Day roster spot as well. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports manager Mark Kotsay is clearly taken with the 27-year-old's all-around performance in camp. "There's some confidence at the plate right now," Kotsay said. "You can see it in his pitch selection. His at-bats. Defensively, he's made all the plays. He is more athletic than I think he was when he was here before."