by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
July 23, 2023
Earlier this month, the A’s took the opportunity to promote a number of promising prospects to the next level, putting them one step closer to making it to the big leagues. Among the many prospects who were promoted in recent weeks, the performance of a trio of position players has really stood out.
After notching 29 extra-base hits and stealing 13 bases in 67 games at Double-A Midland, the 23-year-old outfielder has collected 4 extra-base hits and swiped 6 bases in just his first 9 games with Triple-A Las Vegas. With his combination of speed and power as well as his ability in the outfield, there are few things that the A’s 6th-round draft pick from 2018 doesn’t do well. On the season, Butler is slashing .285/.353/.470, which are even better numbers than he put up in 2022, and he just seems to keep getting better all the time. If he can just keep putting up the numbers in Triple-A, there’s no doubt that Butler will be getting a long look in the big leagues sooner rather than later.
After hitting .338 in 71 games at Double-A Midland, the 21-year-old shortstop has hit .324 in his first 9 games with Triple-A Las Vegas. Hernaiz, who was acquired from the Orioles for pitcher Cole Irvin in the offseason, has also compiled an on-base percentage of .394 and an OPS of .878 on the season. And with the A’s lack of shortstops who can really swing the bat well, if Hernaiz can keep up his hot hitting at the Triple-A level, it’s quite possible that he could find himself getting a chance to show what he can do in the big leagues before long.
After slugging .513 in 62 games at Stockton, the 22-year-old infielder is slugging .515 through his first 11 games with High-A Lansing. Last year’s 6th-round draft pick for the A’s has also done a remarkable job of getting on base, putting up a .410 on-base percentage for Stockton and posting a .419 on-base percentage with Lansing while primarily playing first base and second base. Milone is currently hitting an even .300 with an impressive .925 OPS on the season, and he could be on track to be a very fast riser.
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