Preview: Olson, Nunez, Bostick, Ynoa Big Names for Beloit in 2013

Michael Ynoa continues his road to recovery in Beloit

The opening day roster for the Beloit Snappers, the A’s new Class-A affiliate in the Midwest League, was announced on Saturday. And it looks like the team will be loaded with young talent.

The A’s have been fairly aggressive in pushing last year’s promising young draft class up the ladder. And 9 of the A’s top 20 picks from last year’s draft will open the season on the Snappers’ roster, including a pair of 19-year-old infielders – first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Renato Nunez.

Joining them in the Snappers’ infield will be another top prospect, second baseman Chris Bostick. The Snappers’ starting rotation will be led by once-promising pitching phenom Michael Ynoa, who finally appears to be healthy and is eager to reclaim his status as one of the team’s top prospects.

You’ll find the Beloit Snappers’ complete roster, along with profiles of some of the team’s top players, below…

MATT OLSON

Left-Handed Hitting First Baseman

Age On Opening Day: 19

Drafted 2012 – 1^st Round

Olson was the A’s third overall draft pick last year, selected right behind infielders Addison Russell and Daniel Robertson. The Georgia native is a big 6’4” power-hitting first baseman who just celebrated his 19^th birthday a few days ago. Olson posted a .282/.352/.521 slash line last year in his pro debut, clubbing 16 doubles and 9 home runs in just 188 at-bats, and he’ll now be bringing his big bat to Beloit.

RENATO NUNEZ

Right-Handed Hitting Third Baseman

Age On Opening Day: 19

Undrafted – Signed as International Free Agent

The hot-hitting third baseman will be celebrating his 19^th birthday on opening day for Beloit. The A’s invested heavily in Nunez when the team reportedly gave the young Venezuelan slugger $2.2 million to sign back in 2010. And there’s no question that Nunez seems to have a pretty special bat. Last year in rookie ball, he put up a .325/.403/.550 slash line with 18 doubles in 160 at-bats. In the field though, Nunez made 7 errors in just 30 games at third base, botching 1 in every 10 chances at the hot corner. But the A’s have shown that he’ll move up the chain as fast as his bat can carry him.

CHRIS BOSTICK

Right-Handed Hitting Second Baseman

Age On Opening Day: 20

Drafted 2011 – 44^th Round

Bostick was hardly high on anyone’s radar when he was drafted in the 44^th-round in 2011, but lots of folks seem to think he does a lot of things the right way – and baseball people like that. Bostick spent most of last season playing second base at Class-A Vermont but also spent a little time at shortstop. His .251/.325/.369 slash line wasn’t remarkable, but he was still just 19 last season. And if Bostick keeps playing the game the right way, he’ll continue to be given the chance to see just how far his talents will take him.

MICHAEL YNOA

Right-Handed Starting Pitcher

Age On Opening Day: 21

Undrafted – Signed as International Free Agent

The A’s originally made a big splash in the international free agent market by signing the 16-year-old Dominican bonus baby to a contract worth over $4 million. But injuries and Tommy John surgery have limited the 6’7” right-hander to just under 40 innings over the past 3 seasons. He finally appears to be healthy though and was throwing well, lighting up radar guns and bringing smiles to the faces of A’s scouts in minor league camp this year. And now Ynoa is poised to continue his road to recovery in Beloit this season.

–BELOIT SNAPPERS 2013 ROSTER–

–HITTERS–

Bruce Maxwell C

Phil Pohl C

Matt Olson 1B

Renato Nunez 3B

Chris Bostick 2B

Wilfredo Solano SS

Sam Roberts 2B-SS

Jacob Tanis 1B-3B

John Wooten OF

Brett Vertigan OF