Picture credit score: © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photographs
The State of the System: The Athletics system has improved a good bit from final yr’s second-to-last org rating, however it nonetheless lacks a lot in the best way of influence expertise on the high or depth total.
2024 Oakland Athletics Prime Prospects
The Prime 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
Crew
Degree
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 totally destroying baseballs, hitting his approach to a top-five choice in final summer season’s draft. It’s onerous to nitpick the efficiency, he does all the things effectively on the plate. He continued to hit the ball onerous with wooden after the draft and make lots of contact for the ability 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 rejoice may 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 towards higher velocity, which he nonetheless received’t see a ton of till the higher minors, however Kurtz has a really well-rounded offensive ability 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 “high quality” there, so he might want to hit loads, 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 “loads” line. If you wish to nitpick a bit extra although, we’ve stated that about lots of excessive decide school nook bats currently, and most haven’t hit that plus final result. You actually do need to hit loads.
OFP: 60 / Plus first basemanVariance: Medium. Kurtz had a not insignificant shoulder damage within the spring within the midst of a tough first half for the Demon Deacons. All the things popped after that, however the shoulder is one thing to control given how bat pace/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:
Prime-500 Dynasty Prospects: 52
Potential Earnings: $15-20
Fantasy Overview: At his greatest, Kurtz faucets into all of his plus energy in video games with strong contact abilities and a affected person strategy. Some struggles towards 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
Crew
Degree
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 would. 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 price whereas including a little bit of hole energy to his recreation. By the point Wilson was referred to 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 right in regards to the basic ability set.” He promptly acquired a success 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…effectively I could have been proper earlier than I used to be improper. He nonetheless demonstrated elite bat-to-ball abilities, however the influence was dulled by higher stuff and a very expansive strategy. Chase has at all times been a problem for Wilson going again to school, 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 can be a gold glover there, however at the very least 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 control. On steadiness, Wilson is a greater prospect now than he was a yr in the past—you possibly can’t simply handwave how briskly he acquired to the majors—however conversely he hasn’t really assuaged as lots of the offensive dangers as you’d like.
OFP: 55 / Above-average shortstopVariance: Medium. Wilson can be penciled in at shortstop for the 2025 Athletics, and we’ll get an extended, hopefully more healthy take a look at what he can do towards major-league stuff. If he reins within the chase even a bit of which may assist buoy the general hit device again to plus, however he’s a reasonably protected wager to be at the very least a median major-leaguer, assuming the defensive dip is merely a blip.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-500 Dynasty Prospects: 39
Potential Earnings: $5-10
Fantasy Overview: Wilson is the acute model of the empty-average infielder wherein he mainly by no means whiffs but additionally hardly ever impacts the ball and presents little to no pace. 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
Crew
Degree
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 high of the zone. He pairs the plus-plus heater with two completely different breaking ball appears to be like: 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 absolutely teased out—however by hook or by crook, there’s an excellent 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 all the things late to generate his near-triple-digit velocity. That may result in non-competitive fastballs and breaking balls pulled to the glove aspect 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’s 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 filth. If this all feels like a late-inning reliever to you, effectively, you’re most likely proper, however there’s most likely some worth in retaining the 21-year-old stretched out for at the very least one other yr to see if there’s additional progress 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 an excellent eighth inning man or second-division nearer.Variance: Excessive. If this all feels like a late-inning reliever to you, effectively, you’re most likely proper.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-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 hassle 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 (Prime 101)
Main League ETA: Late 2025/Early 2026
Yr
Crew
Degree
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 because of recurrent shoulder accidents. He acquired 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 yr’s Prime 101. The ability remains 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 of anyway—means he’s not at all times getting essentially the most out of his bat pace and power. He can find yourself late on pitches you’d want he flip round to the left discipline bleachers, which might be as a substitute onerous, inside-out line drives. There can be swing-and-miss points as effectively, so that you’d prefer to see a bit extra recreation energy to offset what can be a below-average hit device total. Clarke was a lot better after a sluggish 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” is usually a maddening hindsight train, however the offensive projection goes to stay very high-variance regardless. The protection is sweet in middle discipline as Clarke runs effectively 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’s clear on a regular basis upside within the profile if he even hits .230 or so.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-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
Crew
Degree
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 latest damage bug, Muncy was restricted to only 58 video games in 2024 because of a hand damage. Even in an abbreviated season although, he managed to determine himself as a possible 2025 infield possibility 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 ability set. Muncy’s 2024 energy spike was definitely environmentally-aided, however he’s gotten stronger within the execs, and initiatives for common energy now. One thing like .260 and 17 residence runs isn’t all that thrilling, however it’s a pleasant little participant when you’re a median defender at brief as well. 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 except he finds one other half grade of hit or energy within the bigs. He’s very prone 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 filth.
OFP: 50 / Common infielderVariance: Medium. Muncy may be very near main league influence, but additionally can’t actually give again any of his hit and energy positive aspects within the bigs and nonetheless be something greater than a fringe common.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-500 Dynasty Prospects: 322
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: A really common offensive ability set that receives common MLB enjoying time is usually a fantasy-relevant participant, particularly at shortstop. One thing like .260 and 17 residence 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
Crew
Degree
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 an excellent little bit of his draft yr velocity positive aspects, though he sits extra in a median velocity band given his age and handedness. He does have plus arm pace and completely rips it although his arm stroke, which supplies him a little bit of added carry however can result in an inconsistent launch level and downright scattershot management. The fastball is usually 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 nearly the whole season as an 18-year-old, however his season was a little bit of a multitude truthfully. Nonetheless, there’s apparent upside within the stuff right here, even when you already know 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. All the things else stays a piece in progress.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-500 Dynasty Prospects: 307
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Echavarria had an up-and-down yr, 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 aspects 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
Crew
Degree
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 yr—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 at all times 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 prone to hit the “or higher.” Barnett’s fastball is average-ish in velocity, and visually unimpressive—it appears to be like prefer it simply type of floats up there to hitters—however generates sufficient late hacks to counsel at the very least a 3rd common pitch. He has a change as effectively, however it’s a little bit of a flat runner and infrequently prefers to make use of his vertically transferring breakers towards lefties. I stay involved about how a lot his slightly pedestrian stuff leads to the zone—particularly the breaking balls—and I count on that can 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 yr’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 persistently get out of the zone and induce whiff as soon as there.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-500 Dynasty Prospects: 408
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Barnett has 4 viable pitches and not using a 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
Crew
Degree
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 effectively over .400 his junior yr at Rutgers, and whereas he remained a lot the identical type 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 greatest, however Kuroda-Grauer’s bat-to-ball abilities are plus. He works from a quite simple arrange: low arms, minimal load, direct to the ball. He’s aggressive within the zone, very slashy and opposite-field oriented. The dearth of influence suggests the hit device may solely play to a 55 or so, however it ought to include a bevy of walks and an extended line of pissed off pitchers as he wastes their greatest 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 of gentle for the left aspect. 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 aspect 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 at the very least a couple of 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 at all times going to need to show it at each stage, particularly those the place pitchers can begin finding extra premium stuff towards you.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-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
Crew
Degree
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 completely different fastballs and three completely different breaking ball appears to be like. 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 possibility, however it could type 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 monitor it east-west, and he works in a more durable slider/cutter factor as effectively. He additionally has a change which he makes use of sparingly, and it’s a bit too agency and flat to actually miss bats towards lefties. The curve and onerous slider will most likely be higher platoon-neutralizing choices for him. Morris has a bushel of fringe-average pitch choices, and throws strikes. He is likely to be higher off specializing in refining one in all his breaking balls to go together with the fastball combine, because it’s unclear if he has a bat-missing possibility 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 discover a swing-and-miss possibility.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
Prime-500 Dynasty Prospects: UR
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Morris has a ho-hum, deep arsenal with a borderline fastball that did not 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
Crew
Degree
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 lots of well-known guys in final summer season’s draft. On one stage it’s nonetheless fairly onerous to be well-known as a university 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 residence 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 superb marker for influence energy with wooden bats. He’s typically 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 recreation to maintain enjoying within the execs although. White will even seemingly have to slip over to first base quickly given his backside of the dimensions pace. So he might want to optimize his level of contact extra and/or reduce 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. On condition that White doesn’t have clearly plus exits or optimum spray, he’s going to need to hold the contact price 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:
Prime-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 can 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 really deal with the trials of the rotation over the lengthy haul, however his misleading, driving fastball, with two breaking ball appears to be like should purchase him loads of time within the Oakland system to determine that out. And as a fallback, the fastball/slider combo might very effectively 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 simple 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 at all times on high of the pitch and I’d count on it to be extra of a 3rd possibility 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 a couple of 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+ residence runs within the higher minors. A few of that is because of enjoying a lot 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 an excellent runner as effectively, though extra in a future left fielder means than a real up-the-middle defender. The principle 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/pace varieties some major-league leash, however Thomas is a high-variance bench outfielder at current, and it’s simpler to see the ground caving in towards 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 notably effectively at Texas Tech—and spent just one season as a full-time starter there—this excessive on even a below-average org’s listing. There’s nonetheless a couple of extra high-floor relievers and boom-or-bust energy/pace guys to get by way of, however Robinson drilled into my mind a bit after I was working the system protection up. He’s acquired 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 probably common slider that may get down beneath bats with some bore as effectively. 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 concept is to show Klein into the following Lucas Erceg. Effectively he throws as onerous as Erceg, sitting upper-90s, however it takes lots of effort to actually 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 seems 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 seems like eons since Hoglund was a first-round decide of the Blue Jays (it’s solely been a bit of 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 highway 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 appears to be like, though each pitches are extra common than above, all the things will get a bit an excessive amount of plate. Perhaps he’s really 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 in the intervening time for that cause.
17. J.T. Ginn, RHP (Oakland Athletics)For instance, J.T. Ginn. It’s undoubtedly been eons since Ginn was an overslot-second rounder for the Mets proper? (4 years, Jeffrey) He had a university 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 or 6 completely different pitches all through his professional profession—when Ginn has high quality sufficient command of his high two pitches he can appear like a median major-league starter, however I’m not notably satisfied he’ll be capable to do this long run within the bigs. He may find yourself extra of an AJ Cole/Austin Voth sort, which most likely sounds extra derogatory than it really is meant to be.
Individuals of Curiosity
Henry Bolte, OF (Double-A Midland)And now, again to the ability/pace prospects. Bolte has the worst swing-and-miss considerations 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 spite of everything.
Ryan Cusick, RHP (Triple-A Las Vegas)Cusick acquired 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 may miss with it by a number of toes, usually inside the identical at-bat.
Rodney Inexperienced, OF (Low-A Stockton)The A’s fourth rounder out of Cal is one other energy/pace device shed with important bat-to-ball considerations. Sacramento has a sort, and the upside is apparent, however Inexperienced had scary zone-contact charges in school.
Ryan Lasko, OF (Excessive-A Lansing)Lasko was purported to be one other energy/pace 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 want to see from a significant school bat. Lasko stays a fairly good middle fielder with some OBP abilities, so it’s definitely value operating it again one other yr.
Cole Miller, RHP (Did Not Pitch)Miller made the highest ten final yr 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 occurring his rehab, and we’ll see what we have now 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 decide, however it is a season to place behind you as shortly as attainable.
Daniel Susac, C (Double-A Midland)Susac largely continued his sluggish 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.
Prime Abilities 25 and Underneath (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 yr or two previous eligibility for the 25U. However each Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom improved on alternative stage 2023 campaigns final season and certain established themselves as medium-term starters within the outfield and first base. Each acquired there in comparable methods, cleansing up their swing choices and whiffing a bit much less at offspeed year-over-year.
These weren’t earth-shattering modifications, however given how onerous each are able to hitting baseballs, any strategy and call 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 harm 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 possibility at second base. I’m not notably assured that occurs however a forty five within the hand is value a spot on this listing.
Among the many different eligible gamers, Joey Estes made 24 begins for the Athletics to the tune of a 5 ERA, and it’s onerous to seek out a lot room for optimism given the enormous crimson 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 through the occasional completely happy accident. —Jeffrey Paternostro
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