Here are the Athletics' 2023 Top 30 prospects
Martín Gallegos
@MartinJGallegosThe A’s are hopeful that 2023 will see them take a big step forward in their current rebuild. Part of that optimism stems from a core of young players developing in the organization that is close to Major League-ready and expected to help form the club’s next wave of winning baseball.
Offseason trades bolstered Oakland’s farm system. In trading away catcher Sean Murphy and left-handed pitcher Cole Irvin, the A’s received six players in return. Three of those newcomers -- Kyle Muller, Esteury Ruiz and Freddy Tarnok -- immediately became ranked among the organization’s Top 10 prospects. Darell Hernaiz and Royber Salinas are also players from those two trades who joined the club’s Top 30 Prospects list.
Tyler Soderstrom and Ken Waldichuk are the two A’s prospects featured in MLB Pipeline’s new Top 100 list for 2023, while Zack Gelof and Jordan Diaz both rank in the Top 10 lists at their respective positions. All four players should have a chance to make an impact in the Major Leagues this season.
Here’s a look at the A’s top prospects:
1. Tyler Soderstrom, 1B/C (MLB No. 39)
2. Ken Waldichuk, LHP (MLB No. 76)
3. Zack Gelof, 3B
4. Mason Miller, RHP
5. Kyle Muller, LHP
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2021 preseason list to the 2022 preseason list.
Jump: Mason Miller, RHP (2022: 19 | 2023: 4)
Though a scapula strain in his right shoulder kept him out of action until the end of August, Miller got some work in the Arizona Fall League and impressed with a 3.24 ERA and 20 strikeouts across 16 2/3 innings. A power arm whose fastball can hit triple digits, Miller has a chance to quickly ascend through Oakland’s system.
Fall: Pedro Pineda, OF (2022: 11 | 2023: NR)
Pineda entered the organization with big expectations as a high-profile 2021 international signee, so the A’s were a bit surprised by his struggles at Single-A Stockton in what was supposed to be his first full season as a pro in 2022. The outfielder hit .188 with a .639 OPS in 42 games and struck out 77 times in 171 plate appearances. He also dealt with injuries, as a shoulder issue ended his season early. Still just 19 years old, he’ll get a chance to put it together and perhaps raise his stock this year.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 55 -- Jordan Diaz (Tyler Soderstrom, Daniel Susac)
Power: 60 -- Tyler Soderstrom
Run: 80 -- Esteury Ruiz
Arm: 60 -- Daniel Susac
Defense: 55 -- Brett Harris (Colby Thomas, Brayan Buelvas, Logan Davidson)
Fastball: 75 -- Luis Medina
Curveball: 60 -- Luis Medina
Slider: 55 -- Ken Waldichuk (Mason Miller, Kyle Muller, Luis Morales, J.T. Ginn, Royber Salinas, Ryan Cusick, Colin Peluse)
Changeup: 55 -- Hogan Harris (Ken Waldichuk, Freddy Tarnok, Luis Medina)
Control: 60 -- Gunnar Hoglund
How they were built
Draft: 16 | International: 3 | Trade: 11
Breakdown by ETA
2023: 11 | 2024: 8 | 2025: 10 | 2026: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 1 | 1B: 2 | 2B: 1 | 3B: 1 | SS: 4 | OF: 7 | RHP: 11 | LHP: 3