With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the A¡¯s Top 30 prospects are projected to start:
1. Jacob Wilson (MLB No. 64), SS -- Midland (Double-A)
2. Luis Morales, RHP -- Extended spring training
3. Denzel Clarke, OF -- Midland (Double-A)
4. Darell Hernaiz, SS -- Oakland (MLB)
5. Daniel Susac, C -- Midland (Double-A)
6. Steven Echavarria, RHP -- Extended spring training
7. Max Muncy, SS -- Las Vegas (Triple-A)
8. Myles Naylor, 3B -- Stockton (Single-A)
9. Joe Boyle, RHP -- Oakland (MLB)
10. Brett Harris, 3B -- Las Vegas (Triple-A)
11. Henry Bolte, OF -- Lansing (High-A)
12. Joey Estes, RHP -- Las Vegas (Triple-A)
13. Colby Thomas, OF -- Midland (Double-A)
14. Freddy Tarnok, RHP -- Las Vegas (Triple-A) -- injured list (hip)
15. Cole Miller, RHP -- Injured list (Tommy John surgery)
16. Royber Salinas, RHP -- Midland (Double-A)
17. Jack Perkins, RHP -- Midland (Double-A) -- injured list (lat)
18. Ryan Lasko, OF -- Stockton (Single-A)
19. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP -- Midland (Double-A)
20. Max Schuemann, UTIL -- Las Vegas (Triple-A)
21. Cooper Bowman, 2B -- Midland (Double-A)
22. Brady Basso, LHP -- Midland (Double-A)
23. Ryan Cusick, RHP -- Midland (Double-A)
24. Logan Davidson, SS -- Las Vegas (Triple-A)
25. Mitch Spence, RHP -- Oakland (MLB)
26. Tyler Baum, RHP -- Midland (Double-A)
27. Brennan Milone, 1B -- Midland (Double-A)
28. Cesar Gonzalez, C -- Extended spring training
29. Will Simpson, 1B -- Lansing (High-A)
30. Joelvis Del Rosario, RHP -- Midland (Double-A)
Team to watch
Double-A Midland is clearly where it¡¯s at in terms of A¡¯s prospect-watching. The RockHounds have 13 of the A¡¯s Top 30 prospects on their roster, led by the guy at the top, 2023 first-round pick Jacob Wilson. With Clarke and Susac there as well, that gives Midland three of the top five prospects at one time.
Players we could see in 2024
Of the players with Triple-A Las Vegas, the proverbial phone call away, Estes probably created the most buzz with how good he looked during Spring Training. He¡¯s been up before and is in line to be the first arm called up if and when the need arises. The fact the A¡¯s sent Wilson to Double-A to start his first full season of pro ball tells you all you need about how advanced he is and how quickly he could move. Don¡¯t be shocked to see him in Oakland before the year is over.
New faces
Wilson is the headliner, but he¡¯s just one of six members of their 2023 Draft class to jump on the Top 30 (Echavarria, Naylor, Miller, Lasko and Simpson). Echavarria will make his 2023 debut later this season while Miller is out for the year (more below). Naylor and Lasko will be counted on to provide punch to Stockton¡¯s lineup while Simpson¡¯s power will try to play with Lansing.
On the shelf
Morales, the A¡¯s top pitching prospect, isn¡¯t hurt, but he got started late on his offseason throwing program so he¡¯s still getting built up in Arizona. He¡¯ll join Lansing¡¯s rotation soon enough. Miller, who got an over-slot $1 million to sign in the fourth round last year, went down with an elbow injury this spring and needed Tommy John surgery, wiping out his season. Tarnok¡¯s hip issues have persisted, resulting in an MRI.