No. 56 Draft pick signs with hometown A's

OAKLAND – It was going to be difficult for Henry Bolte to move off his commitment to join the perennial powerhouse baseball program at the University of Texas. But once the A’s came calling, the decision regarding his future became a no-brainer.

Bolte, the No. 56 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft who starred just 30 miles south of the Coliseum at Palo Alto High School, signed with his hometown A’s on Monday and took the field shortly after for a pregame workout with the team prior to its series opener against the Astros.

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“There’s pictures of me at A’s games as a little kid,” Bolte said. “I’ve always been an A’s fan. Playing in the big leagues has always been my dream. Getting the chance to play for the hometown team and my favorite team growing up, can’t really pass up on that opportunity. I’m thrilled to be out here and get this thing going.”

Bolte signed for $2 million, a source told MLB.com’s Jim Callis, which is above the slot value of $1,341,900 for the No. 56 pick. His A’s career will officially get underway on Tuesday, when he flies out to the club’s Minor League Complex in Mesa, Ariz. Bolte will likely join Single-A Stockton later this summer to make his professional debut.

Donning a green A’s cap and decked out in full uniform on Monday, the 18-year-old put on a show by sending several baseballs well up the left-field bleachers during batting practice, something he often did during his amateur career. His 13 home runs during his senior year at Palo Alto led the entire state of California.

A’s scouting director Eric Kubota described Bolte as a high-upside player with an exciting combination of speed and power. In addition to his 13 homers, the outfielder hit .441 with 48 stolen bases in 33 games last season, displaying a tantalizing five-tool skill set along with a 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame that has drawn comparisons to Blue Jays star George Springer.

Asked to summarize his own style of play, Bolte said he “likes to have fun” on the field and put pressure on opposing teams.

“As a big A’s guy, Rickey Henderson was stealing bases all the time,” Bolte said. “I might not be as fast as him. He’s a little special. But playing that type of way, I’m going to run out a hard 90 feet. I’m going to steal bags. Most of the time, I’m going back in the locker room with a dirty jersey. That’s how I like to play.”

The ultimate goal is to make it back to Oakland to play in an actual game, something he often dreamed about while watching from the stands as a child idolizing players like Matt Chapman and Coco Crisp. The journey to the big leagues is a long one, particularly for a player coming out of high school. But Monday provided Bolte a taste of what that day might feel like.

“Everyone’s been super welcoming,” Bolte said. “I got in and got to meet staff, the manager and a lot of the players. It’s a great thing to be around a lot of the big leaguers. The goal is to get here as soon as possible.”