Valencia hit his third homer of the spring Thursday, a two-run shot off James Paxton.
Valenica enter the season as the clear cut starting third baseman for the A's after posting an .886 OPS for the A's in 183 at-bats in 2015. Valencia has been hitting in the middle of the order for the A's in the spring games that he has appeared, likely a good sign that he will find himself there to start the season.