Picture credit score: © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photographs
The State of the System: The Athletics system has improved a good bit from final 12 months’s second-to-last org rating, however it nonetheless lacks a lot in the way in which of impression expertise on the prime or depth total.
2024 Oakland Athletics High Prospects
The High Ten:
Nick Kurtz, 1B
Jacob Wilson, SS
Luis Morales, RHP
Denzel Clarke, OF
Max Muncy, SS
Steven Echavarria, RHP
Mason Barnett, RHP
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, SS
Kade Morris, RHP
Tommy White, 3B
1.
Nick Kurtz
Pos: 1B
Born: 2003-03-12
B: Left
T: Left
H: 6′ 5″
W: 240 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted fourth total within the 2024 draft, Wake Forest College; signed for $7 million.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2024
MSS
WIN
21
39
8
2
1
1
8
6
10
0
0
.333
.436
.545
–
.455
2024
STK
Lo-A
21
35
11
2
0
4
12
10
7
0
0
.400
.571
.960
147
.429
2024
MID
AA
21
15
3
1
0
0
1
2
3
1
0
.308
.400
.385
106
.400
The Report: Kurtz spent three years within the ACC completely destroying baseballs, hitting his method to a top-five choice in final summer season’s draft. It’s laborious to nitpick the efficiency, he does every thing properly on the plate. He continued to hit the ball laborious with wooden after the draft and make loads of contact for the facility he generates, whereas not increasing the zone a lot in any respect. Kurtz has a compact, torquey swing for his measurement, however he’s not a sell-out, lift-and-pull man. Whereas making an attempt to raise and have a good time would possibly assist him faucet right into a tad extra over-the-fence energy, he’s a adequate hitter it shouldn’t matter if he’s averaging a 12 diploma launch angle as a substitute of 18. He additionally has struggled some in opposition to higher velocity, which he nonetheless gained’t see a ton of till the higher minors, however Kurtz has a really well-rounded offensive talent set which ought to settle into one thing like plus hit, plus energy, and loads of OBP. Now Kurtz is first-base-only and merely “wonderful” there, so he might want to hit lots, however he has but to discover a stage the place there isn’t a one in entrance of the decimal level in his OPS. So it’s truthful to be assured he’ll cross the “lots” line. If you wish to nitpick a bit extra although, we’ve stated that about loads of excessive choose school nook bats these days, and most haven’t hit that plus final result. You actually do need to hit lots.
OFP: 60 / Plus first basemanVariance: Medium. Kurtz had a not insignificant shoulder harm within the spring within the midst of a tough first half for the Demon Deacons. The whole lot popped after that, however the shoulder is one thing to regulate given how bat velocity/energy dependent the profile is. However well being allowing he must be an on a regular basis first sacker briefly order. This mixture of contact, swing choices, and pop, even in a brief professional pattern, simply isn’t that frequent.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 52
Potential Earnings: $15-20
Fantasy Overview: At his finest, Kurtz faucets into all of his plus energy in video games with strong contact expertise and a affected person strategy. Some struggles in opposition to excessive velocity and a borderline passive strategy create some three-true-outcomes threat. Kurtz has the upside to develop right into a .275/30+ bat with a lift in OBP codecs
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Anthony Rizzo
2.
Jacob Wilson
Pos: SS
Born: 2002-03-30
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 2″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted sixth total in 2023 draft, Grand Canyon College; signed for $5.5 million.
Earlier Rank: #5 (org)
Main League ETA: Debuted in 2024
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2023
A-ATH
ROK
21
12
4
2
0
0
5
0
1
0
0
.455
.500
.636
–
.500
2023
LAN
Hello-A
21
99
13
9
0
1
8
6
10
4
1
.318
.378
.455
122
.346
2024
A-ATH
ROK
22
17
4
4
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
.571
.647
.857
–
.571
2024
MID
AA
22
93
18
13
0
3
19
2
10
2
1
.455
.473
.705
134
.487
2024
LV
AAA
22
116
26
11
0
4
17
9
5
0
0
.396
.448
.613
125
.392
2024
OAK
MLB
22
103
11
2
2
0
3
8
10
0
0
.250
.314
.315
100
.277
The Report: It was a story of two halves for Wilson, who had about pretty much as good a primary half within the minors as you may. Regardless of getting jumped straight to Double-A for his first full professional season, he hit .455 for a month, earlier than cooling off to .396 within the desert of Las Vegas. At his Triple-A cease he ran a 99% in-zone contact fee whereas including a little bit of hole energy to his sport. By the point Wilson was known as as much as the large membership shortly after the All-Star Break, I declared my school write-up on him was “about as a lot as I’ve undershot a prospect whereas being appropriate in regards to the basic talent set.” He promptly obtained successful in his first at-bat—a single, naturally—after which strained his hamstring rounding third base. Wilson made it again to the Athletics lineup about six weeks later and from there on out…properly I’ll have been proper earlier than I used to be incorrect. He nonetheless demonstrated elite bat-to-ball expertise, however the impression was dulled by higher stuff and a very expansive strategy. Chase has all the time been a problem for Wilson going again to varsity, and he merely could make extra contact than he ought to, resulting in rolled over floor balls or medium flyners.
Additionally regarding is that each defensive metric graded him out at below-average at shortstop. I by no means thought Wilson could be a gold glover there, however no less than a strong, workmanlike 55 on the six—which would offer a ground for his on-field worth even when the grounders weren’t discovering holes. It’s a small pattern—and these are all small samples—however it’s one thing to regulate. On steadiness, Wilson is a greater prospect now than he was a 12 months in the past—you may’t simply handwave how briskly he obtained to the majors—however conversely he hasn’t truly assuaged as lots of the offensive dangers as you’d like.
OFP: 55 / Above-average shortstopVariance: Medium. Wilson will likely be penciled in at shortstop for the 2025 Athletics, and we’ll get an extended, hopefully more healthy have a look at what he can do in opposition to major-league stuff. If he reins within the chase even a bit which may assist buoy the general hit device again to plus, however he’s a reasonably protected wager to be no less than a mean major-leaguer, assuming the defensive dip is merely a blip.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 39
Potential Earnings: $5-10
Fantasy Overview: Wilson is the acute model of the empty-average infielder through which he principally by no means whiffs but in addition not often impacts the ball and gives little to no velocity. How you’re feeling about Luis Arraez seemingly will apply in equal measure to Wilson. He’s a high-probability fantasy-relevant performer however with restricted ceiling.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Mark Loretta
3.
Luis Morales
Pos: RHP
Born: 2002-09-24
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 3″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: igned January 2023 out of Cuba for $3 million.
Earlier Rank: #4 (org)
Main League ETA: 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2023
A-ATH
ROK
20
0
2
0
3
3
9.0
10
0
5.0%
27.5%
11
63.0%
.370
1.33
6.00
–
2023
D-ATH
ROK
20
0
0
0
4
3
11.0
4
0
5.1%
41.0%
16
57.1%
.190
0.55
0.82
–
2023
STK
Lo-A
20
0
3
0
5
5
16.3
13
0
11.6%
26.1%
18
45.2%
.310
1.29
2.20
4.71
2023
LAN
Hello-A
20
0
0
0
2
2
7.7
6
2
9.4%
25.0%
8
33.3%
.211
1.17
3.52
4.92
2024
LAN
Hello-A
21
2
4
0
22
22
81.0
71
8
10.7%
24.9%
84
44.0%
.303
1.32
4.22
4.07
The Report: The A‘s slowly stretched out Morales in 2024, and whereas you could have solely gotten to see him in small doses, the stuff was definitely massive. His fastball was routinely as much as 99 and sat mid-to-upper 90s and when his supply is on line, he simply performs catch on the prime of the zone. He pairs the plus-plus heater with two totally different breaking ball seems to be: a low-80s curve with extra depth, and a mid-to-upper-80s slider that’s extra of an influence slurve. I believe the slider finally ends up higher long run—assuming it will get totally teased out—however somehow, there’s a superb shot at a plus breaker to again the 7 fastball.
Okay, now let’s circle again to “when his supply is on line.” Morales has a fairly straightforward tempo as much as when he begins driving ahead, however then he accelerates every thing late to generate his near-triple-digit velocity. That may result in non-competitive fastballs and breaking balls pulled to the glove facet as he wrenches his launch throughout his physique. Along with the greater than intermittent glove-side command points, Morales doesn’t actually maintain the highest finish velocity deeper in even his 3-4 inning outings, settling extra round 95 as the sport goes on. He does have a changeup and whereas there may be simply 10+ mph of separation on it from the fastball, it’s nonetheless very agency with a little bit of an arm-side wrinkle to it when it isn’t pulled into the dust. If this all seems like a late-inning reliever to you, properly, you might be most likely proper, however there may be most likely some worth in maintaining the 21-year-old stretched out for no less than one other 12 months to see if there may be additional development in his command and stamina in Double-A. As a result of these things is massive if he can keep a starter.
OFP: 55 / no. 3/4 starter however extra seemingly a superb eighth inning man or second-division nearer.Variance: Excessive. If this all seems like a late-inning reliever to you, properly, you might be most likely proper.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 105
Potential Earnings: $10-15
Fantasy Overview: Morales tantalizes with an electrical fastball and devastating slider. But, he has reduction markers with supply and command inconsistencies and bother sustaining velocity deep in begins. Regardless, Morales has fantasy upside, both as a unstable, high-strikeout starter or a lights-out reliever.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Late-career Charlie Morton
4.
Denzel Clarke
Pos: OF
Born: 2000-05-01
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 4″
W: 220 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the fourth spherical of the 2021 draft, Cal State Northridge; signed for $700,000.
Earlier Rank: #1 (org), #99 (High 101)
Main League ETA: Late 2025/Early 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2022
STK
Lo-A
22
193
37
14
2
7
26
28
56
14
2
.295
.420
.545
119
.411
2022
LAN
Hello-A
22
218
30
9
2
8
21
28
79
16
1
.209
.317
.406
105
.307
2023
MID
AA
23
286
54
11
4
12
43
37
85
11
1
.261
.381
.496
116
.348
2024
MSS
WIN
24
74
21
1
2
1
12
13
18
7
1
.373
.500
.508
–
.525
2024
MID
AA
24
478
74
21
8
13
53
39
143
36
9
.269
.339
.445
97
.373
The Report: Regardless of massive instruments, Clarke has struggled to remain on the sector as a professional on account of recurrent shoulder accidents. He obtained a full-season within the Texas League beneath his belt in 2024, and after a cool begin, confirmed off extra of the plus-power/plus-speed combo that snuck him on the again of final 12 months’s High 101. The ability continues to be very a lot current, though Clarke’s considerably difficult setup and swing path—he begins with the bat pointed behind him, flicks it up, after which wraps a bit anyway—means he’s not all the time getting essentially the most out of his bat velocity and power. He can find yourself late on pitches you’d desire he flip round to the left subject bleachers, which are as a substitute laborious, inside-out line drives. There will likely be swing-and-miss points as properly, so that you’d wish to see a bit extra sport energy to offset what will likely be a below-average hit device total. Clarke was a lot better after a gradual begin to 2024, slashing .307/.374/.510 after June 1st, however that run got here after he’d already logged 120 video games on the stage as a 24-year-old. Parsing out how a lot of that was “determining the extent” versus “my shoulder isn’t bothering me anymore” generally is a maddening hindsight train, however the offensive projection goes to stay very high-variance regardless. The protection is sweet in middle subject as Clarke runs properly and simply cruises from hole to hole flagging down fly balls, so if he may even handle sufficient pop to buoy a major-league line to in vary of common, he ought to have a really good profession.
OFP: 55 / Above-average middle fielderVariance: Excessive. Accidents have meant Clarke has been outdated for his stage the final couple seasons, and he hasn’t dominated Double-A as a lot as you’d hope. Nonetheless there may be clear on a regular basis upside within the profile if he even hits .230 or so.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 221
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview:.Clarke has intriguing power-speed potential clouded by a below-average hit device. His glove and instruments ought to present alternatives, nonetheless. If it clicks, Clarke has as a lot fantasy upside as anybody on this system.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Drew Stubbs
5.
Max Muncy
Pos: SS
Born: 2002-08-25
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 0″
W: 180 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the first spherical of the 2021 draft, Thousand Oaks HS (Thousand Oaks, CA); signed for $2.85 million.
Earlier Rank: #2 (org)
Main League ETA: 2025
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2022
STK
Lo-A
19
365
50
16
1
16
51
51
109
6
5
.230
.352
.447
108
.298
2022
LAN
Hello-A
19
190
19
12
2
3
19
18
60
13
1
.226
.305
.375
83
.327
2023
MSS
WIN
20
87
13
4
1
4
14
8
21
7
0
.205
.287
.436
–
.226
2023
LAN
Hello-A
20
312
36
18
0
6
31
31
92
9
3
.255
.327
.385
87
.356
2023
MID
AA
20
233
40
17
0
4
31
21
54
4
0
.302
.387
.446
94
.396
2024
A-ATH
ROK
21
30
5
4
0
2
5
0
13
1
0
.379
.400
.724
–
.643
2024
LV
AAA
21
203
28
11
1
8
33
18
50
4
2
.277
.374
.491
101
.342
The Report: One other Athletics prospect who’s handled a current harm bug, Muncy was restricted to simply 58 video games in 2024 on account of a hand harm. Even in an abbreviated season although, he managed to determine himself as a possible 2025 infield choice for the A’s. As a participant he’s fairly near the polar reverse of his Dodgers dopplegänger—though they could find yourself enjoying largely the identical positions—with an aggressive, up-the-middle-oriented strategy and a really common offensive talent set. Muncy’s 2024 energy spike was definitely environmentally-aided, however he’s gotten stronger within the execs, and tasks for common energy now. One thing like .260 and 17 house runs isn’t all that thrilling, however it’s a pleasant little participant if you end up a mean defender at quick besides. Muncy might not find yourself enjoying shortstop in deference to Jacob Wilson’s glove nonetheless, and he’s a little bit of a tweener at second or third until he finds one other half grade of hit or energy within the bigs. He’s very more likely to be a giant leaguer although, and whereas nothing right here will wow you, there’s nonetheless a shot it provides as much as an above-average common someplace on the dust.
OFP: 50 / Common infielderVariance: Medium. Muncy may be very near main league impression, but in addition can’t actually give again any of his hit and energy positive factors within the bigs and nonetheless be something greater than a fringe common.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 322
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: A really common offensive talent set that receives common MLB enjoying time is usually a fantasy-relevant participant, particularly at shortstop. One thing like .260 and 17 house runs isn’t all that thrilling, however it’s a pleasant little [fantasy] participant.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Orlando Arcia
6.
Steven Echavarria
Pos: RHP
Born: 2005-08-06
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 1″
W: 180 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted 72nd total within the 2023 draft, Millburn HS (Millburn, NJ); signed for $3 million.
Earlier Rank: #7 (org)
Main League ETA: 2027/2028
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2024
STK
Lo-A
18
0
5
0
19
19
57.7
74
4
12.8%
20.9%
59
45.6%
.393
1.91
6.55
6.35
The Report: You’d count on some rising pains from a third-round, young-for-his-class, cold-weather prep arm, and Echavarria’s 2024 marketing campaign definitely qualifies. The North Jersey righty held a superb little bit of his draft 12 months velocity positive factors, though he sits extra in a mean velocity band given his age and handedness. He does have plus arm velocity and completely rips it although his arm stroke, which provides him a little bit of added carry however can result in an inconsistent launch level and downright scattershot management. The fastball is generally there to arrange Echavarria’s breaking ball: a tough, two-plane slider that’s completely an excessive amount of for Cal League hitters and feels a bit gentle at merely a plus projection, however like his heater, it’s nonetheless fairly inconsistent. He even flashes a pleasant little split-change every so often. Echavarria pitched virtually all the season as an 18-year-old, however his season was a little bit of a large number truthfully. Nonetheless, there may be apparent upside within the stuff right here, even when you recognize the variance and reduction threat for an undersized righty with management points goes to be excessive—irrespective of his age.
OFP: 50 / no. 4 starter or setup slider monsterVariance: Excessive. He has a very, actually cool breaking ball. The whole lot else stays a piece in progress.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 307
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Echavarria had an up-and-down 12 months, with comprehensible rising pains as an 18-year-old in Low-A. Nonetheless, he has stuff to dream on in fantasy, particularly if he sees additional velocity positive factors and command enchancment.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Jarrod Parker
7.
Mason Barnett
Pos: RHP
Born: 2000-11-07
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 0″
W: 218 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted by the Kansas Metropolis Royals within the third spherical of the 2022 draft, Auburn College; signed for $697,500. Acquired from the Royals for Lucas Erceg.
Earlier Rank: #11 (org, KCR)
Main League ETA: 2025
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2022
A-ROY
ROK
21
0
0
0
1
1
1.0
0
0
0.0%
33.3%
1
50.0%
.000
0.00
0.00
–
2022
COL
Lo-A
21
1
0
0
3
0
7.0
0
0
4.8%
52.4%
11
37.5%
.000
0.14
0.00
4.30
2023
QC
Hello-A
22
4
6
0
16
16
82.0
59
3
11.2%
27.7%
94
40.8%
.286
1.18
3.18
3.82
2023
NWA
AA
22
2
1
0
7
7
32.7
27
2
8.8%
31.4%
43
50.6%
.316
1.19
3.58
4.06
2024
NWA
AA
23
5
6
0
19
18
91.7
89
9
9.0%
27.4%
109
45.3%
.336
1.36
4.91
3.79
2024
MID
AA
23
4
2
0
7
7
41.3
32
4
7.8%
31.1%
52
31.0%
.295
1.09
2.61
3.44
The Report: Barnett led the Athletics return for reliever Lucas Erceg on the deadline. Placing apart whether or not or not the return was sufficient for a late-inning reliever with a few years of management—albeit one who will flip 30 subsequent 12 months—Barnett has continued his path in the direction of major-league back-end starterdom with a strong sufficient season within the Texas League. He’s made some enhancements with each his breaking balls, and whereas they nonetheless don’t all the time get down and out of the zone as usually as you’d like, each ought to find yourself average-or-better—together with his mid-80s slider extra more likely to hit the “or higher.” Barnett’s fastball is average-ish in velocity, and visually unimpressive—it seems to be prefer it simply type of floats up there to hitters—however generates sufficient late hacks to counsel no less than a 3rd common pitch. He has a change as properly, however it’s a little bit of a flat runner and sometimes prefers to make use of his vertically transferring breakers in opposition to lefties. I stay involved about how a lot his moderately pedestrian stuff leads to the zone—particularly the breaking balls—and I count on that will likely be an issue within the majors if he doesn’t tighten up his command some extra, however the total arsenal enhancements have firmed up final 12 months’s fourth starter projection a bit.
OFP: 50 / no. 4 starterVariance: Medium. There’s nonetheless some reduction threat in Barnett’s profile, and even when he stays a starter, he might get knocked round extra like a fifth/sixth starter if his slider and curve don’t constantly get out of the zone and induce whiff as soon as there.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 408
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Barnett has 4 viable pitches with no true plus providing and sufficient command to squeeze out fantasy worth as a back-end starter. Are you prepared to belief that profile in Sacramento, nonetheless?
Reckless Fantasy Comp: James Kaprielian
8.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer
Pos: SS
Born: 2003-01-31
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 0″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the third spherical of the 2024 draft, Rutgers College; signed for $1,043,900.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: Late 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2024
STK
Lo-A
21
63
13
0
0
0
4
7
5
4
1
.389
.476
.389
112
.429
2024
LAN
Hello-A
21
50
4
2
0
0
3
5
3
1
1
.286
.400
.333
114
.308
2024
LV
AAA
21
13
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
.167
.231
.167
98
.182
The Report: Kuroda-Grauer hit properly over .400 his junior 12 months at Rutgers, and whereas he remained a lot the identical sort of punch-and-slash hitter he was his first two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, .428 is .428. I doubt he’ll come inside 100 factors of that within the execs, and there’s 30 energy right here at finest, however Kuroda-Grauer’s bat-to-ball expertise are plus. He works from a quite simple arrange: low fingers, minimal load, direct to the ball. He’s aggressive within the zone, very slashy and opposite-field oriented. The shortage of impression suggests the hit device would possibly solely play to a 55 or so, however it ought to include a bevy of walks and a protracted line of pissed off pitchers as he wastes their finest offspeed. Kuroda-Grauer was a shortstop at Rutgers and has performed largely on the six within the execs, however his arm power is a bit gentle for the left facet. His throws fly on him a bit when he actually has to get into one, though in any other case he’s correct, even on the transfer. He’s higher match for second, however has performed a little bit of outfield in summer season ball, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he finally ends up carrying a duffle bag full of various gloves by the point he will get to the majors. Kuroda-Grauer isn’t going to wow you with instruments on both facet of the ball, however given his knack for hitting and talent to face at a bunch of locations, he ought to carve out a major major-league profession for no less than just a few years.
OFP: 50 / Helpful 500 PA man who can bounce round and hits everywhereVariance: Medium. The hit-tool pushed, walks greater than he strikes out, not a premium defender, third spherical school man is all the time going to need to show it at each stage, particularly those the place pitchers can begin finding extra premium stuff in opposition to you.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: UR
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Kuroda-Grauer hit .428 in school (second in D-1) then .324 in a debut that completed in Triple-A. He’s a high-contact hitter with below-average energy (and even much less over-the-fence energy). But, he might develop right into a helpful fantasy piece with strong averages and a few steals.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: David Fletcher
9.
Kade Morris
Pos: RHP
Born: 2002-06-21
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 3″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted by the New York Mets within the third spherical of the 2023 draft, College of Nevada; signed for $666,500. Acquired from the Mets for Paul Blackburn.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: Late 2026/2027
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2023
F-MET
ROK
21
0
0
0
1
1
1.0
1
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
60.0%
.200
1.00
0.00
–
2023
SLU
Lo-A
21
0
0
0
1
1
2.3
1
0
18.2%
27.3%
3
50.0%
.167
1.29
3.86
5.42
2024
SLU
Lo-A
22
0
3
0
7
6
34.7
34
6
7.4%
25.5%
38
45.5%
.304
1.30
3.63
4.12
2024
BRK
Hello-A
22
4
3
0
11
10
57.7
48
4
7.8%
23.3%
57
47.9%
.280
1.16
3.43
3.88
2024
LAN
Hello-A
22
0
6
0
7
7
38.0
41
3
6.5%
14.2%
24
54.8%
.309
1.37
5.92
4.39
2024
LV
AAA
22
0
1
1
2
1
5.7
9
2
13.8%
6.9%
2
52.2%
.333
2.29
11.12
6.90
2024 StuffPro: FA (1), SI (0.5), SW (-1), SL (0.3), CU (-0.3), CH (0.9)
The Report: Morris is a little bit of a kitchen-sink righty now, displaying off two totally different fastballs and three totally different breaking ball seems to be. The four-seam and sinker each are available round 93-94 and, whereas neither breaks common on the scouting scale, it’s an efficient combo working off one another. His big-breaking upper-70s curve has been his simplest off-speed choice, however it could possibly sort of roll in at instances and never have the late snap down and out of the zone. Morris’ sweeper reveals inconsistent command and opposing batters can observe it east-west, and he works in a more durable slider/cutter factor as properly. He additionally has a change which he makes use of sparingly, and it’s a bit too agency and flat to essentially miss bats in opposition to lefties. The curve and laborious slider will most likely be higher platoon-neutralizing choices for him. Morris has a bushel of fringe-average pitch choices, and throws strikes. He may be higher off specializing in refining considered one of his breaking balls to go along with the fastball combine, because it’s unclear if he has a bat-missing choice among the many secondaries proper now.
OFP: 50 / no. 4 starterVariance: Medium. Morris’s Ok-rate dipped after the deadline deal, and whereas he’s by no means going to be a pitcher who blows guys away, contact suppression solely will get you up to now (the higher minors) earlier than it’s essential to discover a swing-and-miss choice.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: UR
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Morris has a ho-hum, deep arsenal with a borderline fastball that didn’t miss many bats within the decrease minors in 2024. That stated, his stuff does bear some similarities to …
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Poor man’s Michael King
10.
Tommy White
Pos: 3B
Born: 2003-03-02
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 1″
W: 228 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the second spherical of the 2024 draft, LSU; signed for $3 million.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: 2027
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2024
STK
Lo-A
21
119
15
2
0
2
15
9
21
0
0
.224
.303
.299
91
.262
The Report: The Athletics picked loads of well-known guys in final summer season’s draft. On one stage it’s nonetheless fairly laborious to be well-known as a school baseball participant, however White has drawn consideration for some time. He began his school profession at NC State with a barrage of homers, and continued hitting for energy after transferring to LSU. Regardless of the gaudy house run totals although, White merely has above-average uncooked energy and switches to a really defensive two-strike strategy—which is a depend he will get right into a good bit given his propensity to chase—neither of which is a good marker for impression energy with wooden bats. He’s usually made sufficient contact that even when it’s not all that high-quality total, sufficient of it’s to make the profile work. That’s a difficult sport to maintain enjoying within the execs although. White may also seemingly have to slip over to first base quickly given his backside of the dimensions velocity. So he might want to optimize his level of contact extra and/or lower down his chase (and people two issues are seemingly a paired final result) to make the profile work from right here on out.
OFP: 50 / Second-division nook bopperVariance: Excessive. Provided that White doesn’t have clearly plus exits or optimum spray, he’s going to need to maintain the contact fee excessive for the general offensive line to assist minimal defensive/positional worth. The early returns on that within the execs weren’t nice.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 245
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: “Tommy Tanks” had a embellished collegiate profession, however he lacks large uncooked energy that aligns with the moniker (it’s merely above-average), and his aggressive strategy seemingly will likely be uncovered in professional ball
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Kevin Kouzmanoff
11. Gage Soar, LHP (Did Not Pitch)One other “well-known” draftee. Soar was a major prep prospect within the 2021 draft, earlier than heading to UCLA, getting Tommy John, after which transferring to LSU. He’s come again sturdy from the surgical procedure, routinely touching 95 with good experience out of a stabby, funky arm path, and has added a possible plus energy slider to go together with his 12-6 curve. It’s unclear if Soar can truly deal with the trials of the rotation over the lengthy haul, however his misleading, driving fastball, with two breaking ball seems to be can buy him loads of time within the Oakland system to determine that out. And as a fallback, the fastball/slider combo might very properly play within the late innings.
12. Grant Holman, RHP (Oakland Athletics)Holman was completely dominant within the higher minors, and had a little bit of major-league success in a short cup of espresso with the A’s. His energy, diving changeup is a straightforward plus pitch and he sits mid-90s with good extension, though that’s not a particular fastball for a righty reliever these days. Nonetheless it must be strong sufficient. Holman additionally throws a mid-80s slider with some depth to it, however he’s not all the time on prime of the pitch and I’d count on it to be extra of a 3rd choice within the majors, as he’s fairly snug throwing the change right-on-right. I don’t know that he has late-inning stuff, however must be a high-floor center reliever with some low-end setup potential for just a few seasons.
13. Colby Thomas, OF (Triple-A Las Vegas)A small-college bopper at Mercer who the Athletics took within the third spherical of the 2022 draft, Thomas’ bat took a step ahead final season, as he cracked 30+ house runs within the higher minors. A few of that is because of enjoying many of the season in Las Vegas/the PCL, however Thomas does wring a good bit of energy out of his smaller, 5-foot-10 body. He’s a superb runner as properly, though extra in a future left fielder means than a real up-the-middle defender. The primary points with Thomas stay a hyper-aggressive strategy and vulnerability to offspeed—not an auspicious mixture. The A’s do have a tendency to offer these energy/velocity sorts some major-league leash, however Thomas is a high-variance bench outfielder at current, and it’s simpler to see the ground caving in in opposition to major-league stuff than him reaching the ceiling
14. Kyle Robinson, RHP (Low-A Stockton)I don’t know what precisely is compelling me to place an Eleventh-round, $150,000 school arm who didn’t pitch significantly properly at Texas Tech—and spent just one season as a full-time starter there—this excessive on even a below-average org’s checklist. There’s nonetheless just a few extra high-floor relievers and boom-or-bust energy/velocity guys to get by, however Robinson drilled into my mind a bit after I was working the system protection up. He’s obtained a pedestrian fastball with a snatchy, cross-body arm motion that results in some command-and-control points with stated pitch, however an above-average fading change, and a doubtlessly common slider that may get down under bats with some bore as properly. Nothing within the efficiency actually says he’s a backend beginning pitching prospect, however right here I’m scratching at that itch in my mind. Let’s get again to the relievers now.
15. Will Klein, RHP (Oakland Athletics)One other a part of the Lucas Erceg return, I assume the thought is to show Klein into the following Lucas Erceg. Nicely he throws as laborious as Erceg, sitting upper-90s, however it takes loads of effort to essentially tune up the fastball, and his two breakers had been a bit extra pop-a-strike than swing-and-miss monster in his first cameo within the majors. The slider ought to get there for Klein, nonetheless, however the total profile looks like an inconsistent center reliever who runs off a season and a half of dominance someplace in there.
16. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP (Triple-A Las Vegas)It looks like eons since Hoglund was a first-round choose of the Blue Jays (it’s solely been a bit over three years). He by no means threw a pitch within the Jays org, getting dealt to the Athletics for Matt Chapman whereas he was nonetheless recovering from his junior season Tommy John. It’s been a bumpy street again from surgical procedure, however Hoglund twirled 100 fairly efficient innings for Double-A Midland final season. He’s considerably a lesser model of Kade Morris at this level: rather less efficient fastball, heavier on the cutter and slider seems to be, though each pitches are extra common than above, every thing will get a bit an excessive amount of plate. Perhaps he’s truly a bit extra like Victor Lizarraga within the Pads system. The Athletics each have extra room and extra success for this type of fringe starter profile, however in addition they have a reasonably crowded set of back-end starter choices for the time being for that purpose.
17. J.T. Ginn, RHP (Oakland Athletics)For instance, J.T. Ginn. It’s positively been eons since Ginn was an overslot-second rounder for the Mets proper? (4 years, Jeffrey) He had a school Tommy John of his personal, after which handled additional forearm points after getting dealt to the A’s for Chris Bassitt. He threw a full wholesome season in 2024, getting a handful of major-league begins late within the season. Primarily a sinker/slider arm at this level—he’s mucked round with 5 – 6 totally different pitches all through his professional profession—when Ginn has wonderful sufficient command of his prime two pitches he can appear like a mean major-league starter, however I’m not significantly satisfied he’ll have the ability to do this long run within the bigs. He would possibly find yourself extra of an AJ Cole/Austin Voth sort, which most likely sounds extra derogatory than it truly is meant to be.
Individuals of Curiosity
Henry Bolte, OF (Double-A Midland)And now, again to the facility/velocity prospects. Bolte has the worst swing-and-miss issues of the lot, however is a 70 runner with potential above-average pop if he manages any type of enhancements in pitch recognition. He was solely 20 and spent a few of 2024 in Double-A in any case.
Ryan Cusick, RHP (Triple-A Las Vegas)Cusick obtained added to the Athletics 40-man, however the one time he’s proven remotely viable command in his profession had been the six post-draft begins he made for Augusta in 2021 (and which the Braves then used to flip him as a part of the Matt Olson commerce. He nonetheless throws within the mid-90s. His slider can nonetheless look good at instances. He also can miss with it by a number of ft, usually throughout the identical at-bat.
Rodney Inexperienced, OF (Low-A Stockton)The A’s fourth rounder out of Cal is one other energy/velocity device shed with vital bat-to-ball issues. Sacramento has a kind, and the upside is clear, however Inexperienced had scary zone-contact charges in school.
Ryan Lasko, OF (Excessive-A Lansing)Lasko was alleged to be one other energy/velocity outfielder for the org to dream on, however he struggled to hit for energy or common in 2024 and confirmed extra points with low minors spin than you’d desire to see from a significant school bat. Lasko stays a fairly good middle fielder with some OBP expertise, so it’s definitely value operating it again one other 12 months.
Cole Miller, RHP (Did Not Pitch)Miller made the highest ten final 12 months as a fourth spherical Cali prep with mid-90s warmth and a sophisticated slider, however he had Tommy John surgical procedure final spring and has but to throw a pitch within the execs. He’ll seemingly flip 20-years-old earlier than he actually will get happening his rehab, and we are going to see what we’ve then.
Myles Naylor, SS (Low-A Stockton)Naylor hit beneath .200 within the Cal League whereas making 30 errors between each center infield spots. Now we have to say him right here as a former supplemental first-round choose, however it is a season to place behind you as rapidly as potential.
Daniel Susac, C (Double-A Midland)Susac largely continued his gradual burn in the direction of backup catcherdom, however his framing stays fringy and his bat won’t have sufficient juice in it to cowl for that deficiency.
High Skills 25 and Beneath (as of 4/1/2025)
Nick Kurtz, 1B
Lawrence Butler, OF
Jacob Wilson, SS
Tyler Soderstrom, 1B
Luis Morales, RHP
Denzel Clarke, OF
Max Muncy, SS
Steven Echavarria, RHP
Mason Barnett, RHP
Zack Gelof, 2B
The 2024 Athletics weren’t an outdated crew, however a number of of their key arrow up guys (Shea Langeliers, J.J. Bleday), are a 12 months or two previous eligibility for the 25U. However each Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom improved on substitute stage 2023 campaigns final season and sure established themselves as medium-term starters within the outfield and first base. Each obtained there in related methods, cleansing up their swing choices and whiffing a bit much less at offspeed year-over-year.
These weren’t earth-shattering adjustments, however given how laborious each are able to hitting baseballs, any strategy and make contact with refinements had been going to have outsized results on the batted ball outputs, and Butler jumped 23 factors of DRC+, Soderstrom 37. Butler has the longer pattern and extra defensive worth, and whereas he’s by no means going to run excessive OBPs, he ought to stay an above-average common so long as he can run the knife’s fringe of excessive injury on contact. Soderstrom has to recover from the next bar at first base, however I do really feel like he may need one other gear but to unlock on the plate. Even when he doesn’t get there, what he confirmed in 2024 is sweet sufficient for an second-division starter, and the A’s ought to stay a second-division crew for a bit.
Zack Gelof was by no means going to repeat his torrid debut given his contact points, however the efficiency cratered in a short time and really deeply. If he can handle to center his two seasons in 2025, he’d be an inexpensive choice at second base. I’m not significantly assured that occurs however a forty five within the hand is value a spot on this checklist.
Among the many different eligible gamers, Joey Estes made 24 begins for the Athletics to the tune of a 5 ERA, and it’s laborious to seek out a lot room for optimism given the enormous pink blotches in the midst of the strike zone that make up his arsenal warmth maps on his savant web page. Conversely, Joe Boyle continues to have nice uncooked stuff, however solely finds the strike zone by way of the occasional joyful accident. —Jeffrey Paternostro
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