by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
June 12, 2023
When examining an organization’s most promising prospects, it’s always important to take note of a player’s age and, even more importantly, the age at which they’ve managed to succeed at each level. It’s one thing to succeed at any given level when you’re spending your third year in the league, but it’s another thing to have success at a particular level when you’re one of the youngest players in the league.
It’s always a good sign when a player is performing way ahead of the competition at his age, and it can also show that he’s a fast learner and quick to make the adjustments necessary to succeed. And if he’s advanced quickly at a young age, then it also means that he’s given himself a little extra time to work out any remaining kinks in his game if needed. So, with that in mind, here’s a rundown of some of the A’s most-advanced young prospects in the system this season…
—Most-Advanced 19-Year-Old Prospect—
Stockton OF Henry Bolte
With few 19-year-old prospects seeing time with full-season affiliates this season, last year’s 2nd-round draft pick for the A’s is clearly the most advanced teenager currently in action in the A’s system. While he’s set to turn 20 in August, the only Ports player younger than Bolte is Dominican outfielder Pedro Pineda, who is just a month younger. While still a teenager, Bolte has managed to compile the second-most walks (24) and RBIs (31) on the Stockton squad while slashing .270/.377/.453 over 41 games for the Ports.
—Most-Advanced 20-Year-Old Prospect—
Lansing SS Max Muncy
Last year, which was his first full season in the A’s system, Muncy notched 19 home runs and 19 stolen bases while compiling the second-most walks (69) and third-most doubles (28), extra-base hits (50) and RBIs (70) in the system while playing for Lansing and Stockton. While he’s set to turn 21 in August, 2021’s top draft pick for the A’s is still the youngest player at High-A Lansing this season, and he currently has the second-most hits (43) and walks (22) on the squad while slashing .232/.311/.357 over 49 games for the Lugnuts.
—Most-Advanced 21-Year-Old Prospect—
Las Vegas C-1B Tyler Soderstrom
Widely considered the A’s top prospect, the team’s 1st-round draft pick in 2020 is currently the only 21-year-old at Triple-A Las Vegas. Last season, while still just 20, Soderstrom led all A’s minor leaguers in home runs (29), extra-base hits (55) and RBIs (105). This season, he once again leads the system in home runs (14), and he’s currently second in extra-base hits (31) and RBIs (45) while slashing .258/.313/.550 over 52 games for the Aviators. Soderstrom has split time between catcher and first base this season, and he won’t turn 22 until after the end of the season, so he’s still got plenty of time to find his place at one position or another. 21-year-old Midland shortstop Darell Hernaiz, who is the youngest position player on the RockHounds roster, is currently slashing .328/.386/.492 in his first season at Double-A. And 21-year-old Midland RHP Joey Estes, who was acquired from Atlanta in the Matt Olson trade, is sporting a 3.34 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while averaging 8.4 K/9 for the RockHounds this season
—Most-Advanced 22-Year-Old Prospect—
Las Vegas INF Jordan Diaz
The Colombian infielder made his debut with the A’s last season just after he’d turned 22. And with 118 big-league at-bats under his belt, some may no longer consider Diaz a prospect, but he’s still quite young, has yet to establish a permanent place for himself in the big leagues and is currently back playing second and third base for Triple-A Las Vegas. And even though he’s set to turn 23 in August, Diaz is currently the second-youngest player on the Las Vegas roster next to Soderstrom, so he’s still got time to develop into a productive player for the A’s. Last season, Diaz led all A’s minor leaguers in hits (160) and doubles (34) while playing for Midland and Las Vegas and also had the best OPS (.882) in the system among those with at least 300 at-bats. Diaz has been keeping up the good work this season, and he’s sporting a slash line of .302/.362/.509 over 27 games for the Aviators. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Midland outfielder Lawrence Butler is currently slashing .294/.364/.458 for the RockHounds. And 22-year-old Midland RHP Royber Salinas, who was acquired from Atlanta in the Sean Murphy deal, is currently tied for most strikeouts in the A’s system (59) while averaging 12.4 K/9 this season.
—Most-Advanced 23-Year-Old Prospect—
Las Vegas 2B Zack Gelof
Oakland’s 2nd-round draft pick in 2021 performed well in his first full season in the A’s system last year, finishing in the top ten in hits (105), walks (50), home runs (18), total bases (180) and RBIs (66) while playing for Midland and Las Vegas. This season, Gelof, who won’t turn 24 until after the season, has done a great job of getting on base for the Aviators. He currently leads all A’s minor leaguers in walks (35) while also leading Las Vegas in stolen bases (16). And the 23-year-old infielder is also one of only three A’s minor leaguers with at least 200 plate appearances this season who has an on-base percentage over .400 (.407). 23-year-old Midland outfielder Denzel Clarke has also been a fast-riser and is currently sporting an OPS of .882 over 34 games for the RockHounds this season.
* * *
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm.