by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
July 17, 2022
1st Round
Catcher
University of Arizona
Age: 21 / Height: 6’4″ / Weight: 218 lbs.
Bats: Both-Right / Throws: Right
2022 College: 273 AB/12 HR/23 BB/52 K/.366 AVG/.430 OBP/.582 SLG
The A’s held the 19th overall pick in this year’s draft and used it to select college catcher Daniel Susac out of the University of Arizona. MLB Pipeline’s 12th-ranked prospect was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2021 before having an even more productive season in his sophomore campaign in 2022. The 6-foot-4 power hitter started out as a switch-hitter but has primarily hit from the right side of the plate at Arizona. He clubbed 24 home runs and 43 doubles in 515 at-bats during his two seasons with the Wildcats. The big backstop is known for his strong arm and has shown solid defensive skills behind the plate. And catching is in his blood. The Sacramento-area native’s older brother, Andrew, was a big league catcher for parts of six seasons. The younger Susac is now set to join Shea Langeliers, Kyle McCann, Tyler Soderstrom, CJ Rodriguez and Shane McGuire as another promising catching prospect currently in the A’s minor league system.
2nd Round
Outfielder
Palo Alto High School
Age: 18 / Height: 6’3″ / Weight: 195 lbs.
Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2022 High School: 102 AB/13 HR/29 BB/31 K/.441 AVG/.577 OBP/.921 SLG
With their second-round pick in this year’s draft, the A’s went with a local high school product, outfielder Henry Bolte from Palo Alto High. MLB Pipeline’s 40th-ranked prospect boasts serious speed and power. In his senior season, he hit 13 home runs and swiped 48 bases in just 102 at-bats over 33 games. Bolte possesses impressive tools and has an exceedingly high ceiling, but the teenager is still a very raw talent. He’s a bit of a free swinger, and his swing and approach will definitely need some refinement as he develops. Despite his size, his raw speed makes it possible that he might be able to stick in center field. But first, the A’s will need to make a tempting enough offer to lure him away from his current commitment to the University of Texas.
2nd Round Competitive Balance Round B
Outfielder
University of Michigan
Age: 21 / Height: 6’0″ / Weight: 183 lbs.
Bats: Left / Throws: Right
2022 College: 243 AB/16 HR/49 BB/56 K/.337 AVG/.460 OBP/.630 SLG
With their pick in the competitive balance round just after the 2nd round, the A’s selected college outfielder Clark Elliott out of the University of Michigan. MLB Pipeline’s 64th-ranked prospect made big strides in his junior season. After hitting just 5 home runs and swiping 8 bases as a sophomore in 2021, Elliott slugged 16 homers and stole 19 bases in 2022. In between, he led the summer Cape Cod League last year with both a .344 batting average and a .464 on-base percentage. In addition to drawing a lot of walks, the lefty-swinging outfielder hits righties very well and can really turn on a fastball. But some scouts question his ability to handle advanced offspeed stuff and how much his newfound power will hold up. Elliott primarily played right field in college, but he played center on the Cape, and his speed and range could make him an option there as he enters the pro game.
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