The 2023 season was a tough one for A’s fans. So tough that as the calendar flips to 2024, there aren’t likely to be any left.
From the fire sale of stars after the lockout lifted to the consecutive 100 plus loss seasons, throw in a lawsuit against public educators in Nevada, and things have been far from sunny in Oakland.
The accumulating rain clouds all came to a head in MLB’s approval for John Fisher to move the club to Sin City in November. Man, Stomper is going to hate Las Vegas.
In any event, some interesting things did happen this year down on the A’s farm. While the sell off is over and the returns are underwhelming at best, the front office’s cyclic tear down is finally rebounding from low tide.
Speaking of rising tides, Darell Hernaiz is currently the second best player the A’s received in their epic sell off of all stars spanning the last 2 years. His price? Left hander Cole Irvin. Baltimore had no conceivable spot for the hitterish infielder, plus he was a pick of the previous regime. Now, on the heels of an impressive minor league season that saw him advance two upper levels while hitting over .300, all while running a strikeout rate under 16%, the 22 year old is knocking on the door to the big leagues. Projecting the power output is dubious as Hernaiz has shown to be streaky, hitting his homers in bunches last season. The sub six foot infielder will pressure Nick Allen for the job at short next spring.
Again lacking for minor league impact from those infamous trades, we turn to the org’s recent first round picks. Daniel Susac was the one in 2022 and while he’s yet to be challenged in the lower minors, he sure has not struggled to put the bat to the ball, and find holes at that. Yes, the BABIP gods have been kind to the Pac 12 product thus far, Susac has hit. A healthy sample size at AA will be a focal point in the system next season. The catching prospect will look to make more impact, utilizing his long levers to elevate. After a solid year, Susac is on a steady bath to the bigs.
Max Muncy received the first round honors the summer prior to Susac and his progression has been slow but fairly consistent. There are major swing and miss concerns but the power is definitely there, plus he is a hell of an athlete. The 21 year old shortstop is also a gamer, a positive trait in the middle infield. In 22 games in the Arizona Fall League Muncy hit .212 with 5 homers and 8 steals.
Now, to spice things up a little, we go to the 2023 first round controversy of Jacob Wilson. Well, maybe more appropriately termed: 1st round polarization. The wiry shortstop from the affordable pastures of Grand Canyon University was the 6th name of the board this summer. Opinions were split on the A’s selection and I understand both poles of thought. Wilson is obviously capped for power but he did continue to showcase his elite hit tool in pro ball. Adding some weight this offseason would certainly bode well for him after finishing out the year with an extended run in High-A Lansing. The 21 year old plays a mean shortstop too. I can’t wait to see how he fares in AA midland in 24.
Sliding into the second round of the most recent draft was Henry Bolte. Tooled up to the nines, Bolte ran a high K-rate all year but seemed to settle in over time. He took walks, occasionally crushed pitches, and let his dynamic athleticism loose. He could probably use another couple months of seasoning in Single-A next year. I selfishly hope so to grab more looks. A drop in punch out rate would angle Bolte’s stock arrow way up. He’s long ways away but the upside is tremendous.
Quick Hits
24-year-old Cuban outfielder Lazaro Armenteros did not impress in the AFL. 50 trips to the plate yielded a .205 batting average to go along with a 38% k-rate, no homers, and zero extra base hits. It was, however, not too much of a surprise when the A’s selected Armenteros’ contract for the 40 man roster on November 4th. The power speed threat turned in a solid performance for AA Midland this season, crushing moon shots and running a .380 OBP. You could squint and see a fringe big league role.
Miguel Andujar is 28 years old and has amassed 357 big league plate appearances since 2017. He’s been in the minor leagues since 2012. The A’s claimed him off waivers on November 6th and the prophecy was fulfilled.
Among the list of Athletic minor leaguers to elect free agency were pitchers with lengthy and unfortunate injury histories in Daulton Jefferies and James Kaprielian. Those arms were alongside 2017 1st round pick Austin Beck. The outfielder was taken 6th overall out of high school and across 5 seasons in the minors he never really found his footing. The righty didn’t make enough contact, was hurt often, and drew too few walks. Beck maxed out in AAA in 2021, striking out 13 times in 20 PAs. Across 22 games in AA 2022, Beck walked two times. He lost 2023 to injury. The 24-year-old will seek a fresh start somewhere else this offseason.
Nick covers the Florida State League for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Bay Area he fell in love with the Oakland A’s at an early age. The A’s have never loved him back but that’s never stopped him from obsessing over all things baseball, especially prospects, the minor leagues, and dynasty baseball. Find him on Twitter @Leobaseball3.
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Nick Leonardohttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/leobaseball3fsl/
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Nick Leonardohttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/leobaseball3fsl/
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Nick Leonardohttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/leobaseball3fsl/
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Nick Leonardohttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/leobaseball3fsl/
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