A's spring invitees who could make roster push

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Having identified a core group of young players over what was a promising second half of the 2024 season that includes Lawrence Butler, Mason Miller, Brent Rooker, Zack Gelof, Jacob Wilson, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers, the Athletics will have fewer question marks about their roster construction come Spring Training. Still, there could be a few spots up for grabs, with potential candidates extending outside their options on the current 40-man roster.

So far, the A’s have announced 20 players who will be joining the team in big league camp as non-roster invitees, and a few more players could be added over the next few weeks.

Here is a look at the non-roster players invited to A’s camp:

PITCHERS

Right-handers: Jason Alexander, Mason Barnett, Tanner Dodson, Jack Perkins, Pedro Santos, Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang
Left-handers: Ben Bowden, Matt Krook, CD Pelham, Domingo Robles

Barnett, who is ranked the A’s No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was part of the return acquired from the Royals last season in the Lucas Erceg trade and combined for a 4.20 ERA with 161 strikeouts in 133 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Midland. Both Barnett and Perkins (No. 17) will get a good look in camp as starters and are candidates to make their big league debut in 2025. Pelham is an intriguing lefty who has spent the past two years pitching in Mexico, most recently for the Tomateros de Culiacan of the Mexican Pacific Winter League, posting a 2.25 ERA in 32 relief appearances. The 29-year-old South Carolina native last pitched in the Majors for the Rangers in 2018.

POSITION PLAYERS

Infielders: Logan Davidson, Nick Kurtz, Alejo Lopez, Max Muncy

The A’s will get a close look at Kurtz (No. 2 / MLB No. 45 prospect), who wreaked havoc on Minor League pitching immediately after being selected fourth overall by the A’s in the 2024 MLB Draft. The 21-year-old first baseman earned a promotion to Double-A Midland after playing the first seven games of his professional career at Single-A Stockton, where he slashed .400/.571/.960 with four home runs, two doubles and 12 RBIs. Kurtz will enter his first full professional season as a candidate to be fast-tracked to the Majors similar to the quick path taken by A’s No. 1 prospect Jacob Wilson last season. Muncy (No. 8) is expected to see some time at third base this spring. Lopez, who saw big league time with the Reds from 2021-23, spent last season in the Braves’ organization at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he hit .307 with a .789 OPS in 112 games. Davidson, the A’s first-round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, posted a .902 OPS in 87 games at Triple-A Las Vegas in ‘24.

Outfielders: Drew Avans, Henry Bolte, Carlos Cortes, Colby Thomas

After combining to hit .277 with a .905 OPS, 31 homers, 44 doubles, five triples, 15 stolen bases and 92 RBIs in 132 games between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas last season, Thomas went on to star for Team USA in the Premier12 Tournament. Bolte (No. 5) racked up 55 extra-base hits and 46 stolen bases In 123 games between High-A Lansing and Double-A while also posting an .834 OPS, and he even got some extra work in the Arizona Fall League. Avans was drafted by the Dodgers in 2018 and spent the last seven years in their organization. He is the all-time leader in hits (462) for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers in the Bricktown Era (since 1998).

Catchers: Willie MacIver, Daniel Susac

MacIver, a Pleasant Hill native, spent the first six seasons of his pro career in the Rockies organization, most recently hitting .297 with a .911 OPS, 15 home runs and 56 RBIs in 89 games for Triple-A Albuquerque last season. Susac (No. 11), the A’s first-round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft, slashed 257/.300/.434 (.734 OPS) with 12 homers, 19 doubles and 50 RBIs in 88 games with Double-A Midland last year.