Keep an eye on these A's throughout the farm system
Martín Gallegos
@MartinJGallegosThe A’s saw a bevy of their top prospects graduate to the Major League level last season, and several more could be joining them in 2024.
Jacob Wilson headlines the promising wave of young talent, ranked as Oakland’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 64 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. He’ll begin the year on a stacked Double-A Midland club that features 12 of the club’s Top 30 prospects.
With the Triple-A season already underway and other levels opening up the season this week, here’s a look at the players to keep an eye on this season.
Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators
Player to Watch: SS Max Muncy (A’s No. 7 prospect)
Muncy, 21, got an extended look in big league camp this spring and impressed the A’s with how he handled himself against Major League talent in Cactus League action. His increased plate discipline and strike-zone recognition earned him a midseason promotion to Double-A last year and could lead to his first call to the Majors in 2024.
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Joey Estes (No. 12)
After getting a taste of the big leagues last season with a pair of starts, Estes looked dominant this spring, allowing just one run in three Cactus League outings. He is likely first in line to join Oakland’s rotation this season when a spot opens up.
Double-A Midland Rockhounds
Opening Day: Friday, 7:05 p.m. CT at Corpus Christi
Player to Watch: SS Jacob Wilson (No. 1)
Wilson carried a ton of hype as the sixth pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, and he’s done nothing but back that up in his short time as a professional. Invited to big league camp with the A’s this spring, he appeared in 10 Cactus League games and hit .438 with a 1.034 OPS while also playing stellar defense at shortstop.
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Royber Salinas (No. 16)
The A’s got a good look at Salinas in big league camp this spring and were intrigued by his power fastball-slider combo. He still has to work on his command and prove he can consistently stay in the strike zone if his electric arm is going to stick as a starter.
Other Top 30 prospects on the roster: OF Denzel Clarke (No. 3), C Daniel Susac (No. 5), OF Colby Thomas (No. 13), RHP Gunnar Hoglund (No. 19), 2B Cooper Bowman (No. 21), LHP Brady Basso (No. 22), RHP Ryan Cusick (No. 23), RHP Tyler Baum (No. 26), 1B Brennan Milone (No. 27), RHP Joelvis Del Rosario (No. 30)
High-A Lansing Lugnuts
Opening Day: Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET at Dayton
Player to Watch: OF Henry Bolte (No. 11)
Bolte cut down on his swing-and-miss last season and shined with Single-A Stockton by hitting .257 with 14 homers, 17 doubles, five triples, 68 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. Considered the top power hitter in the organization, he will look to continue climbing levels this season with a very high ceiling as a 20-year-old.
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Luis Morales (No. 2)
Morales managed to somehow exceed high expectations shortly after signing for $3 million with the A’s in 2023 by pitching at four different levels and ending the season with High-A. The right-hander brings an electric fastball that can reach up to 99 mph and also mixes in a slider, changeup and curveball, giving him a quality four-pitch mix that could help him evolve into a future frontline starter.
Other Top 30 prospects on the roster: 1B Will Simpson (No. 29)
Single-A Stockton Ports
Opening Day: Friday, 7:05 p.m. PT vs. Modesto
Player to Watch: 3B Myles Naylor (No. 8)
The younger brother of big leaguers Josh and Bo Naylor, Myles was selected 39th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and struggled a bit more than the A’s expected to begin his pro career, though they remain high on his serious raw power, which should show up more as the 18-year-old grows into his 6-foot-2 frame.
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Nathan Dettmer
A fifth-round Draft pick by the A’s in 2023, Dettmer can run his fastball up to 99 mph and also throws a plus slider and improving changeup. The 6-foot-4 righty will likely begin the season in Stockton’s starting rotation.