by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
February 25, 2023
Now that spring training has just gotten underway, it’s time to present A’s Farm’s 2023 Top 10 Prospects List.
This year’s list includes seven position players and three pitchers. Seven of this year’s top prospects began their careers with the A’s, while three – pitchers Ken Waldichuk and Kyle Muller and outfielder Esteury Ruiz – were acquired in deals with other organizations over the past year. Three of the players on this year’s list were 1st-round draft picks and another two were 2nd-round picks.
Four players – Ken Waldichuk, Kyle Muller, Esteury Ruiz and Jordan Diaz – have officially maintained their prospect status despite already having had the opportunity to make their major league debuts. And it’ll be interesting to see which other prospects might end up getting the opportunity to break on through to the big leagues in 2023. So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at A’s Farm’s 2023 Top 10 Prospects List…
A’S FARM’S 2023 TOP 10 PROSPECTS LIST
#1 – Tyler Soderstrom (C-1B)
#2 – Zack Gelof (2B-3B)
#3 – Ken Waldichuk (LHP)
#4 – Kyle Muller (LHP)
#5 – Mason Miller (RHP)
#6 – Esteury Ruiz (OF)
#7 – Jordan Diaz (1B-3B-2B)
#8 – Max Muncy (SS)
#9 – Daniel Susac (C)
#10 – Denzel Clarke (OF)
Honorable Mentions: Lawrence Butler (OF-1B), Freddy Tarnok (RHP), Luis Morales (RHP)
#1 Left-Handed-Hitting Catcher/First Baseman
Age on Opening Day: 21
Drafted 2020 – 1st Round
Oakland’s top draft pick in 2020 is clearly considered the A’s top prospect among all serious prospect watchers. Soderstrom will be 21 throughout the 2023 season, having just turned 21 in November, and he ranks as the second-youngest prospect on our list. After tearing the cover off the ball at Stockton in 2021, the Turlock native got off to a slow start with High-A Lansing last season, but he warmed up with the weather and ended up hitting 20 home runs in 89 games with the Lugnuts before eventually earning a promotion to Double-A Midland, where he hit 8 home runs in 36 games in August and September. Soderstrom then hit .297 in 9 games during a brief audition with Triple-A Las Vegas before the season came to a close. The lefty-swinging slugger confirmed his position as the organization’s top power-hitting prospect by leading all A’s minor leaguers with 29 home runs and 55 extra-base hits in 2022. On the defensive side of things, though he’s shown improvement behind the plate, Soderstrom actually appeared in more games at first base (59) than at catcher (52) last season, and it appears probable that his future is likely at first base. And if all goes well, it’s quite possible that Soderstrom could end up getting his first glimpse of the big leagues before next season is through.
#2 ZACK GELOF
Right-Handed-Hitting Second Baseman/Third Baseman
Age on Opening Day: 23
Drafted 2021 – 2nd Round
The A’s 2nd-round draft pick in 2021 has always been viewed as a professional hitter with a solid approach at the plate. Gelof put up an OPS of .942 over 32 games for Stockton during his first partial season of pro ball. And despite being sidelined for a month and a half last season with a shoulder injury, the right-handed hitter still managed to show plenty of pop by hitting 18 home runs in 389 at-bats in 2022, including 5 home runs in 9 late-season games with Triple-A Las Vegas. Though he was drafted as a third baseman and played exclusively at the hot corner in his first year in the A’s organization in 2021, Gelof started twice as many games at second base as third for Double-A Midland last season, and he appeared exclusively at second base during 21 games in the Arizona Fall League in 2022. The 23-year-old will start out this spring showing what he can do in the big league camp with the A’s, and he appears to be in line to be the team’s second baseman of the future. And if all goes well for Gelof in Triple-A this year, then that future could very well be coming into focus as early as the second half of 2023 for the A’s.
#3 Left-Handed Pitcher
Age on Opening Day: 25
Drafted 2019 – 5th Round
The top pitcher on our list this year, Waldichuk was acquired from the Yankees in the Frankie Montas deal last summer. And at just three months younger than Kyle Muller, he is the second-oldest player to make the list. Waldichuk was selected later in the draft than any other player on this year’s list – in the 5th round by the Yankees in 2019 – but that certainly hasn’t diminished his prospect status in the least. With a mid-90s fastball, an impressive slider, a solid changeup and good control, it’s easy to see Waldichuk’s potential, especially if he can develop a little more consistency. The southpaw notched 137 strikeouts over just 95 innings at Triple-A and Double-A last season to average an impressive 13 K/9. Waldichuk made seven starts for the A’s late last season, struggling at times, impressing at times, and finishing up with seven shutout innings against the Angels. Promising lefties Waldichuk and Muller will both be competing for a spot in the A’s starting rotation this spring. But whether or not he ends up breaking camp as a member of the A’s rotation, we’ll no doubt end up seeing Waldichuk spending plenty of time on the mound for the A’s in the future.
#4 KYLE MULLER
Left-Handed Pitcher
Age on Opening Day: 25
Drafted 2016 – 2nd Round
Having turned 25 last October, Muller is the oldest player to make our list this year. And along with Waldichuk, he represents one of the A’s top two pitching prospects on our list. Muller was drafted by the Braves in the 2nd round back in 2016 as an 18-year-old high school hurler out of Dallas before the A’s acquired him from Atlanta in the Sean Murphy trade in the offseason. The 6-foot-7 southpaw’s mid-90s fastball, excellent slider and solid curveball have enabled him to average 10.6 K/9 at Triple-A and 9 K/9 in the big leagues. Muller has mastered Triple-A, where he put up a 3.40 ERA over 40 starts in 2021 and 2022. But thanks to spotty control, he’s been somewhat inconsistent in his brief time with the Braves, compiling a 5.14 ERA while issuing 28 walks in 49 innings over the past two seasons with Atlanta. Along with Waldichuk, he’ll be vying for a spot in the A’s starting rotation this spring. But however things play out, there’s little question that Muller will end up having plenty of opportunities to take the mound for the A’s over the course of the 2023 season.
#5 MASON MILLER
Right-Handed Pitcher
Age on Opening Day: 24
Drafted 2021 – 3rd Round
The A’s 3rd round draft pick in 2021 is the only right-handed pitcher to make our list this year. Unfortunately, due to injuries, Miller has managed to throw just 20 minor leagues innings for A’s affiliates, plus another 16 2/3 frames in the Arizona Fall League last year, since being drafted. When he has taken the mound though, he’s impressed. With a 100+ mph fastball and a good slider, Miller struck out 25 batters in just 14 innings over 6 appearances with three different A’s minor league teams last season. The 6-foot-5 righty notched another 20 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings during an impressive 2022 run in the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 3.24 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP while facing some of the game’s top hitting prospects. If Miller can stay healthy and continue to develop his secondary pitches, he could represent an impressive addition to Oakland’s rotation. But with his velocity and big-time strikeout numbers, it’s also quite possible that Miller could end up serving as an effective arm out of the A’s bullpen.
#6 ESTEURY RUIZ
Right-Handed-Hitting Outfielder
Age on Opening Day: 24
Signed as International Free Agent
The top outfielder on our list this year, at 24, Ruiz is also the oldest position player to make this year’s list. The A’s targeted the Dominican outfielder as a key piece they wanted to acquire from the Brewers in the three-team trade that sent Sean Murphy to the Braves in the offseason. Ruiz’s eye-popping speed is clearly his calling card. He led the minor leagues with 85 stolen bases in 2022, but he also posted an impressive .447 on-base percentage over 257 Triple-A and 180 Double-A at-bats last season. If Ruiz can even come close to approximating those kind of numbers in the big leagues, he’ll be a centerpiece of the A’s lineup for years to come. In 35 at-bats with the Padres and Brewers last year though, Ruiz hit just .171, and some evaluators are concerned that his weak exit velocity could make it difficult for him to be able to do enough damage with the bat in the big leagues. The A’s would like to give the speedy outfielder every opportunity to show what he can do and hopefully lay claim to the center field job, but only time will tell if Ruiz can hit enough in the bigs to capitalize on his impressive speed, make himself a staple atop the A’s lineup, and make A’s fans feel a little better about having to part with Sean Murphy.
#7 JORDAN DIAZ
Right-Handed Hitting First Baseman/Third Baseman/Second Baseman
Age on Opening Day: 22
Signed as International Free Agent
One of the best pure, natural hitters in the A’s system, Diaz did consistent damage at the plate last season in 379 at-bats with Double-A Midland and 112 at-bats with Triple-A Las Vegas. The 22-year-old Colombian slugger led all A’s minor leaguers in hits (160) and doubles (34) in 2022 while also boasting the best batting average (.326), slugging percentage (.515) and OPS (.882) among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 300 at-bats last season. Diaz has good bat speed, makes consistent contact, doesn’t strike out much and, even though he’s not big at just 5-foot-10, he hits the ball hard. Because he has the ability to put the bat on the ball, Diaz does tend to swing at a few too many pitches and ended up hitting into more double plays (18) than any other A’s minor leaguer last year. But the biggest question about Diaz is where he’ll ultimately end up playing in the field. He’s seen time at first base, third base and second base, but hasn’t really looked like a natural fit anywhere. In that regard, he’s somewhat reminiscent of former A’s prospect Renato Nunez. Diaz slashed .265/.294/.327 in 49 at-bats during a late season audition with the A’s last year. He’s currently on the team’s 40-man roster and will be competing for a roster spot this spring, though he could end up starting the season honing his defensive abilities back at Triple-A.
#8 MAX MUNCY
Right-Handed-Hitting Shortstop
Age on Opening Day: 20
Drafted 2021 – 1st Round
At 20, the A’s 1st-round draft pick in 2021 is the youngest player to make our list this year. Still a teenager through most of his first full season of pro ball in 2022, the young Muncy came out swinging. He showed plenty of power and speed by hitting 19 home runs and notching 19 stolen bases over the course of 304 at-bats with Stockton and 168 at-bats with Lansing. His 50 extra-base hits trailed only Soderstrom and Diaz among A’s prospects, and his 69 walks were the second-most among A’s minor leaguers, but he also led the system with 169 strikeouts. The good news is that his pitch selection should improve with time and experience and his power should continue to develop with age. Whether he stays at shortstop or ultimately ends up moving to second or third, Muncy profiles as a power-hitting infielder who looks like he has what it takes to make a quick trip up the ladder. And if all goes as planned, the 20-year-old slugger could be just a couple years away from being ready to make a mark with the A’s in the big leagues.
#9 DANIEL SUSAC
Right-Handed-Hitting Catcher
Age on Opening Day: 21
Drafted 2022 – 1st Round
The A’s made Susac their top draft pick with the 19th overall selection last year. The 6-foot-4 catcher was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year during his inaugural season with the University of Arizona in 2021 before turning in an even more productive season in his sophomore campaign in 2022. Susac 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 some promising skills behind the plate. The Sacramento-area native’s older brother, Andrew, was a big league catcher for parts of six seasons, so catching is in his blood. Susac hit .286 with just a single home run in 98 at-bats with Stockton during his first season of pro ball last year, but the A’s believe his power potential is real. A’s scouting director Eric Kubota told A’s Farm, “We really like the bat, and we definitely like the power potential.” He added, “We see upside both in the defense and the offense for Daniel. And we think there’s a chance for a plus defender. We really think it’s a chance for an all-around package behind the plate.”
#10 DENZEL CLARKE
Right-Handed-Hitting Outfielder
Age on Opening Day: 22
Drafted 2021 – 4th Round
Oakland’s 4th-round draft pick in 2021 is one of the toolsiest prospects in the A’s system. In his first full season of pro ball in 2022, the 6-foot-5 outfielder showed plenty of power and speed by notching the second-most stolen bases and the fourth-most extra hits among all A’s minor leaguers. In just 343 at-bats for Lansing and Stockton last year, Clarke swiped 30 bases and collected 42 extra-base hits, a total surpassed only by Soderstrom, Diaz and Muncy in the system. Clarke’s 56 walks tied him for fourth-most among A’s prospects, but his 135 strikeouts were the fifth-most. He also managed to collect inside-the-park home runs in two consecutive games for Lansing last summer before going on to turn in a solid campaign in the Arizona Fall League by slashing .275/.370/.475 over 40 at-bats against some of the game’s top pitching prospects. On defense, Clarke has shown a strong arm, and his speed allows him to play center field, where he made the vast majority of his starts last season. Clark reportedly has shown a good attitude and is willing to work. And while some of his skills may still be somewhat raw, his ceiling his extremely high.
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