RockHounds' Healy busts out, plates five

Throughout his professional career, Ryon Healy has shared the spotlight with other talented infielders. On Thursday, however, the attention was squarely on the 6-foot-5, 225-pound third baseman.

Oakland's No. 17 prospect went 3-for-5 and tied a career high with five RBIs as Double-A Midland bested visiting Arkansas on Thursday night at Security Bank Ballpark.

Undaunted after amassing only five hits in his first 22 at-bats, the California native collected three hits against three different pitchers. He drove in Jaycob Brugman with a third-inning double into center field off fourth-ranked Angels prospect Victor Alcantara (1-1) and smacked a two-run single to left off righty Tyler DeLoach in the fourth.

In the eighth, Healy capped his night with a two-run homer over the wall in left-center on a fastball by righty Geoff Broussard. The 24-year-old admitted he felt stronger as the game went along.

"I think my at-bats were getting better," he said. "I was swinging at better pitches, I was sitting on a particular zone and I was getting [the ball] in that zone and putting good swings on it. The comfort level definitely increased as the game progressed."

Healy hit .302/.339/.426 over 124 games with the RockHounds a season ago, when he was part of an infield that included fellow top A's prospects Matt Olson (No. 3), Renato Nunez (No. 5) and Chad Pinder (No. 8). With that trio advancing to Triple-A Nashville, Healy finds himself the elder statesman in an infield with top Oakland prospect Franklin Barreto and sixth-ranked Matt Chapman.

"It's nice, mostly because we have a ton of young talent on the infield," Healy said. "We also have lot of experience with Josh Rodriguez at second base. So I think there's a quality blend of younger guys, rookie guys and veteran leadership. I'm excited to play with this team mostly because of the opportunity and potential that we have."

The 2013 third-round pick worked hard to get stronger, physically and mentally, going into the season. He's also begun forming a bond with fellow infielders Barreto and Chapman.

"It's very impressive to watch how young they are and how mentally in-depth they are with the game," Healy said. "I talked to Matt Chapman, mostly breaking down different situations because he's always thinking [about] the game. I've learned a few things from him so far, and I think he's learned a few things from me.

"And Barreto is just so young and talented that you kind of just let him watch and go and enjoy the show that he puts on a nightly basis."

As for himself, Healy will attempt to stay grounded, even after his career performance.

"This game can beat you down if you let it," he said. "You have to persevere and understand that the hits will come and control what you can control."

Brugman, the A's No. 21 prospect, finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice.

Righty Andres Avila (1-0) allowed a run on four hits and a walk and struck out one over two innings in relief of starter Raul Alcantara.

Arkansas starter Victor Alcantara (1-1) gave up six runs on four hits and six walks over 3 1/3 frames.