The 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