After consecutive 100-loss seasons, the Athletics may indeed may be crawling out of this rebuild yet. Encouraging as that may be, it does not mask the feeling that this system should be better than it is given recent trades. There is a good amount of quality talent here, and a few key steps forward could make a sizable impact. Dynamic prospects like shortstop Jacob Wilson, outfielder Denzel Clarke and catcher Daniel Susac, as well as flamethrowing Mason Miller and stuff artist Luis Morales, certainly could put this A’s farm system on the path to relevancy in short time. (@Leobaseball3)
Seven Prospects1500 writers contributed to this column and rankings including Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), Nick Leonardo (@Leobaseball3) and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023
*Our rankings team has not included both Tyler Soderstrom (125 AB) and Lawrence Butler (123 AB), although with less than 130 AB, both may still be minors eligible in your dynasty league. Each player is 1-3 games away from graduating at this point.
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
1. Mason Miller, RHP, 25, MLB
Oakland’s top pitching prospect has had a tumultuous journey to the majors, but he did debut in 2023 and impressed. Miller posted a 1.86 (including rehab appearances) in his seven minor league starts, and earned a promotion to the show. His fastball reaches triple digits and he can also throw pretty much any other pitch at you. The fastball, his secondary cutter, and brand new slider featured some of the best spin rates from around baseball. Miller has shown the ability to get outs at every level, and keep hitters off of the bases. It’s easy to picture him as an eventual lockdown closer or even a solid rotation piece. If he keeps putting away batters at as a consistent clip as he is, there’s a lot to be excited in what the A’s have in him. (@aj_greene1015)
2. Jacob Wilson, SS, 21, High-A
A’s fans may have been upset they fell to 6th in the 2023 Draft Lottery, but it’s hard to be mad about the former Grand Canyon University shortstop falling into their hands. As one of, if not the best, pure hitters in Oakland’s system, they sent him straight to High-A after three tune-up games in the Complex League. Wilson can hit the ball all over the field, and possesses quite an impressive contact rate. In almost all of his plate appearances after being drafted, Wilson made contact and hit .333. The barrel rate and power numbers are still a work in progress, but for a young prospect that also plays elite defense, it’s only something to keep an eye on as of now. It’s becoming more common for college draftees to fly through the minors, so we’ll get a good sense of just how good Wilson’s hit-tool is in 2024 when he inevitably makes it to the upper minors. After so many years of a rotating middle-infield, the A’s seem to have something special in Wilson. (@aj_greene1015)
Tier 3
3. Denzel Clarke, OF, 23, Double-A
Despite a season ending injury in July, Clarke climbed Oakland’s prospect ladder after making his mark on Double-A Midland in just 64 games. Clarke has an interesting combination of tools. He can hit for power, play really good defense in centerfield, and also steal 30+ bases in a full season. He did just that when he played 93 games in 2022. There’s fair concern about the overall contact ability, and for someone that can easily steal 30+ bases, you’d want him to be getting on base more. Upon being drafted, the former Canadian national team representative had been averaging an OBP north of .400. A return to form would be more than welcome in 2024, and that constitutes a fully healthy season for Clarke. (@aj_greene1015)
4. Daniel Susac, C, 22, Double-A
Susac, the younger brother of former major leaguer Andrew, is no doubt the A’s catcher of the future. The University of Arizona product was their 1st round pick (9th overall) in 2022. Susac made it to Double-A Midland last year, played in 13 games, and should get a full season there in 2024, with a good chance of seeing AAA time. With no stand out catchers ahead of him in Triple-A, it’s not out of the question Oakland calls on him in September, but a 2025 MLB debut is more likely. He’s a career .300 hitter in the minors, and will look to improve on that this season. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
5. Darell Hernaiz, SS, 22, Triple-A
Hernaiz, Baltimore’s 2019 5th round selection in the MLB Draft, has been a very good hitter in his three years in the system post-Covid, not counting his 29-game pro debut in Rookie ball in 2019. Just last season in 131 games between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas, he hit .321 with an .841 OPS, logging 227 total bases. It doesn’t appear he’s going to post huge power numbers (12 HR in 2022, 9 in 2023), as his ceiling could be 12-15 long balls. The 22-year-old Puerto Rican native should be a regular starter in AAA to begin 2024. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
6. Max Muncy, SS, 21, Double-A
The 21-year-old shortstop showed signs of improvement in 2023. He started the year with High-A Lansing and continued to show the power-speed potential that made him a number one pick, however it did come with a 29% strikeout rate. Things got even better after being promoted to Double-A Midland. His strikeout rate dropped to 23% and his OPS climbed over a hundred points. With Hernaiz ahead of him and the recently drafted Wilson right behind him, 2024 could be a make-or-break year for Muncy. (@JMahyfam)
7. Luis Morales, RHP, 21, High-A
Morales debuted and played across four levels in 2020 as a 20-year-old. He tossed 11 innings in the Dominican Summer League, then another nine in the Arizona Complex League, followed up by 16.1 for Single-A Stockton, then finally 7.2 IP in High-A Lansing. The Cuban native looks to put together a full season in High-A/Double-A in 2024, and he’s currently projected to remain a starting pitcher. If he can keep his walks down (had only 15 in 44 IP last year) and maintain his excellent 10.8 K/9, the A’s might have a diamond in the rough, future rotation piece. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
8. Steven Echavarria, RHP, 18, High school
Echavarria lands at number 8 on the A’s Top 50 after being selected in the 3rd round of this past year’s 2022 Draft out of Millburn High School in Millburn, NJ. The 6’2, 180 lb. righty had committed to the University of Florida before signing with Oakland. According to PrepBaseballReport.com, Echavarria features a fastball that tops out around 97, and a 70-72 curveball, and slider that’s 81-83. Hopefully we’ll see him make his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League this coming summer. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
9. Myles Naylor, SS, 18, Single-A
The A’s drafted the youngest of three Naylor brothers with the 39th overall pick in last year’s draft. Scouts have described Myles offensive profile as being somewhere between Josh’s raw power and Bo’s natural feel to hit. Myles is currently the best athlete of the trio and currently plays up the middle defensively, but also has the arm strength to reactions to slide over to third as needed. (@JMahyfam)
10. Brett Harris, 3B, 25, Triple-A
Harris was coming off a very solid 2022 campaign in High-A/Double-A when he followed that up with a good 2023 in Double-A/Triple-A. The organization wanted to get the 25-year-old some more quality playing time and sent him to Arizona this past fall, where he unfortunately struggled, getting only 10 hits in 59 at bats, although he did get on base (15 BB) and posted a nice .391 OBP. Should the A’s need a third baseman, it appears Harris, a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, would be next in line behind Jonah Bride, who’ll likely also start at AAA Las Vegas this year. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
Tier 4
11. Joey Estes, RHP, 22, MLB
12. Henry Bolte, OF, 20, Single-A
13. Royber Salinas, RHP, 22, Double-A
14. Joe Boyle, RHP, 24, MLB
15. Freddy Tarnok, RHP, 25, MLB
16. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, 24, Double-A
17. Colby Thomas, OF, 22, High-A
18. Cole Miller, RHP, 18, High school
19. Brennan Milone, 1B/2B, 22, High-A
20. Ryan Lasko, OF, 21, Rookie (ACL)
21. J.T. Ginn, RHP, 24, Double-A
22. Logan Davidson, 1B/2B/3B, 26, Triple-A
23. Tzu-Chen Sha, RHP, 20, Single-A
24. Ryan Cusick, RHP, 24, Triple-A
25. Jack Perkins, RHP, 24, Double-A
Estes could battle for a spot in the A’s rotation. Salinas was a dominant breakout SP in the Braves farm system in 2022 (175 K in 109 IP), but struggled with AA Midland in 2023. The AFL wasn’t too kind to him this past Fall either. Bolte, no relation to former A Skye Bolt, spent a full season in the Cal League, playing all three outfield positions. Scott Greene has a 2023 Bowman Mega Box Henry Bolte auto if anyone’s interested. Hit him up! Boyle and Tarnok both saw some MLB time in ’23. Boyle impressed in his three games started, giving up only 3 ER in 16 IP, notching his first 2 MLB wins. Tarnok, who came over to the A’s with Salinas, Esteury Ruiz, Kyle Muller, and Manny Piña for Sean Murphy, saw action in 5 MLB games and projects to be in the Las Vegas rotation with Estes. Hoglund is a twice drafted 1st rounder (2018 PIT, 2021 TOR) who pitched three seasons for Ole Miss in the SEC. Even though he struggled mightily at Single-A, Oakland’s brass has high expectations for him and still pushed him on to High-A and eventually Double-A last year. Perkins started 20 games across A+/AA in 2023, then dazzled in his AFL stint, not allowing an earned run in 12.1 IP in 10 games. He should start 2024 in AA Midland. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
Tier 5
26. Brayan Buelvas, OF, 21, Double-A
27. Cooper Bowman, 2B, 23, Double-A
28. Max Schuemann, OF/SS, 26, Triple-A
29. Euribiel Angeles, 3B/2B/SS, 21, Double-A
30. Junior Perez, OF, 22, High-A
31. Clark Elliott, OF, 23, High-A
32. Robert Puason, OF/SS, 21, Single-A
33. Pedro Pineda, OF, 20, Single-A
34. Brady Basso, LHP, 26, Double-A
35. Jonah Cox, OF, 22, Single-A
36. Blake Beers, RHP, 25, Double-A
37. Tyler Baum, RHP, 25, Double-A
38. Joelvis Del Rosario, RHP, 22, Single-A
39. Grant Holman, RHP, 23, Double-A
40. James Gonzalez, LHP, 23, High-A
41. Caeden Trenkle, OF, 22, Double-A
42. Cesar Gonzalez, C/1B, 18, Rookie (DSL)
43. Garrett Irvin, LHP, 24, Triple-A
44. Carlos Pacheco, OF, 19, Rookie (DSL)
45. Darling Fernandez, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
46. Manuel Perez, RHP, 18, Rookie (DSL)
47. Jose Dicochea, RHP, 22, High-A
48. Will Simpson, 1B, 22, Single-A
49. Eduardo Rivera, LHP, 20, Single-A
50. Dairon De Jesus, RHP, 19, Rookie (SCL)
Bowman is a potential leadoff type with great speed and ability to get on base. He had a solid showing at AA and could see the majors later this season. Schuemann has massive speed and a good feel for hitting. He’s played all over the infield and outfield which increases his chances of contributing at the major league level. Angeles has average speed and hitting ability but doesn’t flash much power. Elliot struggled in his first full year of A ball with the team but has the tools to improve. Puason and Pineda were both highly touted international free agent signings but both have struggled. They both have a good set of tools but the results haven’t been there yet. Pineda is 20 and Puason is a year older, so there’s still time for them to turn it around. Gonzalez is a hit-first catcher who has some pop and a good eye at the plate. He’s young at 18 years old but could develop power as he matures. He’s one to keep an eye on in this tier. Fernandez is a tooled up youngster with a great feel for hitting. If he can develop some power as he matures, he could be a starting outfielder. Get in on him in dynasty leagues while it’s early. Despite being a 15th round pick, Simpson played well last year across two levels showing some pop. It’ll be interesting to see how he performs against more advanced competition this season. (@tonybps1)
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Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
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/
If Lawrence Butler was eligible where would you slot him?
We would have had him 8th, between Morales and Echavarria.
Daniel Susac is Tier 2 and will be an everyday MLB catcher in 2025.