by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
October 10, 2022
With the 2022 season now concluded, and the A’s clearly in the midst of a rebuild, it’s time to take a look at some of the A’s most promising young prospects who would be most likely to form the core of Oakland’s next potential winning team.
Of course, with the A’s being the A’s, there’s likely to be plenty of trades and new acquisitions in the offseason to factor into the future mix. But let’s take a look at some of the prospects who are currently in the system who seem most likely to be capable of making an impact at the major league level for the A’s over the next two to three seasons.
For the purposes of this piece, we’re only looking at players who compiled at least 300 at-bats or 70 innings pitched in the A’s minor league system this season. That automatically leaves out this year’s draft class, many of whom, though they may be quite promising young players, are still likely a number of years away and just haven’t yet had much of a chance to show us what we can expect out of them on the field.
So without any further ado, let’s take a look at A’s Farm’s 2022 Post-Season All-Prospect Team of potential impact players at each position for the A’s over the next few years…
CATCHER
Age: 24
2022 MLB: 142 AB/6 HR/9 BB/53 K/.218 AVG/.261 OBP/.430 SLG
2022 AAA: 353 AB/19 HR/43 BB/88 K/.283 AVG/.366 OBP/.510 SLG
Acquired from Atlanta in the Matt Olson trade, the 9th overall draft pick in 2019 is set to be the A’s catcher of the future sooner or later. And if the A’s decide to deal Sean Murphy in the offseason, then Langeliers’ time will come next year. In 2022, the 24-year-old posted the second-best slugging percentage and OPS among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 300 at-bats before getting the chance to make his big league debut with the A’s. Other top catching prospects in the system include Tyler Soderstrom, whose future is more likely at first base, Kyle McCann, who led Double-A Midland with 20 home runs this season, and Oakland’s top draft pick this year, Daniel Susac.
FIRST BASEMAN
Age: 20
2022 A+/AA/AAA: 505 AB/29 HR/40 BB/145 K/.267 AVG/.324 OBP/.501 SLG
The A’s top draft pick in 2020, Soderstrom started more games at first base than behind the plate this season, and it appears that’s a trend that’s likely to continue in the future. The young slugger has shown plenty of power potential and led all A’s minor leaguers with 29 home runs and 105 RBIs while posting a .501 slugging percentage in 2022. He’ll still be just 21 next season and has had just 170 at-bats above High-A, but there currently aren’t a lot of other high-level first base prospects in the system. So until Soderstrom is ready, the A’s are likely to have Seth Brown, Dermis Garcia and Jordan Diaz as their top options at first base.
SECOND BASEMAN
Age: 22
2022 AA/AAA: 389 AB/18 HR/50 BB/121 K/.270 AVG/.352 OBP/.463 SLG
The A’s 2nd-round pick last year, Gelof was drafted as a third baseman but has started more games at second since joining the A’s system, and he appears to be the most likely candidate to be the A’s second baseman of the future. After turning in a solid year with Double-A Midland in his first full season of pro ball, Gelof hit 5 home runs in 9 September games with Triple-A Las Vegas, and he appears to be a dependable hitter with a professional approach. He’s now representing the A’s in the Arizona Fall League and seems to be on the fast track, but until Gelof is ready to make the move to the majors, current incumbent Tony Kemp appears to be the A’s best second base option.
SHORTSTOP
Age: 20
2022 A/A+: 472 AB/19 HR/69 BB/169 K/.229 AVG/.336 OBP/.422 SLG
The A’s top draft pick last year, Muncy impressed, particularly with his power potential, in his first full season of pro ball in 2022. His 69 walks were second-most in the A’s system, while his 28 doubles, 50 extra-base hits, 199 total bases and 70 RBIs were third-most, and his 19 home runs were tied for fourth-most in the organization. Muncy just turned 20 in August and has only logged 168 at-bats at High-A. So Nick Allen looks likely to hold down the shortstop position in Oakland for a while until Muncy is ready to make his mark in the big leagues.
THIRD BASEMAN
Age: 24
2022 AA/A+: 417 AB/17 HR/50 BB/83 K/.290 AVG/.375 OBP/.475 SLG
The A’s 7th-round pick last year, Harris hasn’t garnered quite as much attention as some of the A’s other higher-profile picks from the 2021 draft, but the 24-year-old posted the third-best batting average, on-base percentage and OPS among A’s minor leaguers with at least 300 at-bats during his first full season of pro ball in 2022. A solid performer at the plate and in the field, Harris is looking like a legitimate third base prospect for the A’s. Kevin Smith, who hit 11 home runs in 25 September games for Las Vegas could also put himself back into the third base picture for the A’s. Otherwise, the A’s best third base option at the moment appears to be Vimael Machin.
RIGHT FIELDER
Age: 22
2022 A+/RK: 302 AB/11 HR/40 BB/109 K/.265 AVG/.351 OBP/.457 SLG
The A’s 6th-round draft pick in 2018 put up a .504 slugging percentage and an .871 OPS during a breakthrough season with Stockton and Lansing in 2021. And despite missing about a month and a half of the 2022 season due to injury, the 22-year-old still led Lansing in walks and runs while also boasting the best on-base percentage among Lugnuts hitters with at least 200 at-bats this year. Butler has also managed to swipe a total of 42 bases over the past two seasons. He’ll still be just 22 at the start of next season, but he’s currently gaining more experience playing for the A’s squad in the Arizona Fall League. Until he’s ready, Ramon Laureano and Conner Capel look to be the A’s best options in right field.
CENTER FIELDER
Age: 22
2022 A+/A: 343 AB/15 HR/56 BB/135 K/.248 AVG/.365 OBP/.469 SLG
The A’s 4th-round draft pick last year, the toolsy 22-year-old impressed in his first full season of pro ball, hitting 15 home runs and 23 doubles in 343 at-bats while playing a solid center field for Lansing and Stockton. His 30 stolen bases were second-most in the system, while his .834 OPS was fourth-best among A’s minor leaguers with at least 300 at-bats this season. Though still a bit raw, Clarke’s impressive combination of power and speed could make him the A’s center fielder of the future, and he’s currently getting some more playing time with the A’s squad in the Arizona Fall League. Until he’s ready, Ramon Laureano and Cristian Pache appear to be the A’s best options in center field.
LEFT FIELDER
Age: 25
2022 AA/AAA: 325 AB/9 HR/56 BB/100 K/.274 AVG/.403 OBP/.422 SLG
Aside from Clarke and Butler, the top of the A’s system is currently a little thin on high-level outfield prospects. Henry Bolte, Clark Elliott and Colby Thomas were all just drafted this summer, while youngsters Pedro Pineda and Brayan Buelvas both turned in disappointing seasons this year. Schuemann is the only position player on our All-Prospect Team who isn’t currently listed on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 A’s Prospects list. But with the A’s a little thin in the outfield, Schuemann, who’s also spent plenty of time at second base and shortstop, could very well end up playing his way into the outfield mix in the very near future. His .403 on-base percentage was best among all A’s minor leaguers this year, and he’s also managed to swipe a total of 76 bases over the past two seasons. With Chad Pinder likely to leave via free agency in the offseason, Seth Brown and Tony Kemp appear to be the A’s best left field options if Schuemann doesn’t earn a shot soon.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Age: 22
2022 MLB: 49 AB/0 HR/2 BB/7 K/.265 AVG/.294 OBP/.327 SLG
2022 AA/AAA: 491 AB/19 HR/28 BB/76 K/.326 AVG/.366 OBP/.515 SLG
One of the best all-around hitters in the A’s minor league system this season, Diaz led all A’s minor leaguers in hits and doubles while also boasting the best batting average, slugging percentage and OPS among A’s minor leaguers with at least 300 at-bats this season. Diaz had a chance to make his big league debut with the A’s this year, and he’s played around the infield at first base, third base and even second in his pro career. And while first appears to be the most natural place for him, defense isn’t really his strength. Diaz’s calling card clearly is his bat, so the best position for him might ultimately be in the designated hitter spot for the A’s.
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER
Age: 23
2022 A+/AA/AAA: 118.1 IP/108 H/53 ER/45 BB/119 K/4.03 ERA/1.29 WHIP
While a number of the A’s top pitching prospects were slowed by injuries this season, the A’s 2nd-round draft pick in 2020 stayed healthy and showed some real progress in 2022. Criswell always had solid stuff, but his command showed significant improvement this season. The 23-year-old’s 119 strikeouts were second-most in the system while his 4.03 ERA was second-best among A’s minor leaguers with at least 80 innings pitched. He also posted a solid 1.29 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. Other promising young righties in the A’s pitching mix include last year’s 3rd-round pick Mason Miller, who could be a fast riser, as well as reliever Garrett Acton, who compiled an impressive 11.9K/9, along with Adrian Martinez and Adam Oller, both of whom made their big league debuts for Oakland this season. Meanwhile, righties Paul Blackburn and James Kaprielian should return to the A’s rotation next year.
LEFT-HANDED PITCHER
Age: 25
2022 AAA/AA/A+: 73.2 IP/51 H/28 ER/43 BB/105 K/3.42 ERA/1.28 WHIP
Oakland’s 3rd-round draft pick in 2018 has been sidelined by injuries throughout most of his pro career and, prior to this season, hadn’t even managed to throw a total of 70 innings since being drafted by the A’s. But he was finally healthy this year, and the big lefty looked like a strikeout machine on the mound. Harris’s 12.8 K/9 was best among A’s minor leaguers with at least 70 innings pitched this season. And if he can just manage to stay healthy, then he could make his mark in the majors before long. Other promising young lefties in the A’s pitching mix include recent acquisitions JP Sears and Ken Waldichuk, along with Zach Logue and Jared Koenig, both of whom made their big league debuts for Oakland this season. Meanwhile, lefty Cole Irvin should return to the A’ rotation next year.
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