by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
April 15, 2024
In the offense happy Pacific Coast League, the Las Vegas Aviators lineup has gotten off to a bit of a slow start, but there have been a few standout performers. Before he was recalled by the A’s, outfielder Esteury Ruiz was slashing .326/.423/.581 with 6 walks, 3 home runs, 2 doubles, and 7 stolen bases in 43 at-bats for the Aviators. Former 1st-round draft pick Tyler Soderstrom leads the team with 5 home runs through his first 12 games, which ties him for the third-most in the league. And while Soderstrom’s batting average currently stands at just .222, his slugging percentage is a team-best .622. Meanwhile, shortstop Max Muncy and third baseman Brett Harris have been a potent pair on the left side of the infield. The two currently share the exact same slash line of .293/.396/.463 and are tied for the second-most hits on the team. Muncy leads the squad with 4 doubles, and Harris leads the team with 9 runs and is tied for the team RBI lead with 10.
The Double-A Midland RockHounds have had the most potent offense in the A’s system in the early going. Outfielder Colby Thomas leads the Texas League with 17 hits through his first 9 games, while his 4 home runs tie him for the league lead, and his .472 batting average is tops in the league among all players with at least 10 at-bats. Last year’s top draft pick for the A’s, shortstop Jacob Wilson, is slashing .435/.458/.652 through his first 23 at-bats at Double-A. And Brennan Milone leads the team with 4 doubles while boasting an on-base percentage of .469 through his first 8 games.
First baseman Will Simpson has been the clear hitting star for the High-A Lansing Lugnuts in the early going. He’s boasting an on-base percentage of .500 through his first 9 games, while leading the team in hits, RBIs and total bases, and his 11 walks are currently tops in the Midwest League. Outfielder Cameron Masterman leads the squad with 4 doubles through his first 8 games while sporting a .462 slugging percentage.
The Stockton Ports have had the California League’s least productive offense in the early going, but there have still been a few standouts. Catcher Cole Conn and outfielder Nate Nankil are tied for the team lead in both hits and RBIs, while Conn is boasting an on-base percentage of .469, and Nankil is sporting a slugging percentage of .500. First baseman Darlyn Montero leads the squad with a batting average of .333, while shortstop Myles Naylor’s 8 walks are tops on the team.
* * *
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm.