by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
June 3, 2024
Now that we’re two months into the season, it’s a good time to take a quick look at who the standout performers have been at each position in the A’s minor league system…
CATCHER
Cole Conn (STK/LAN)
Last year’s 12th-round draft pick for the A’s has impressed right out of the gate with his ability to get on base. The 22-year-old switch-hitter has drawn 33 walks in 43 games, and his .422 on-base percentage is second-best among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 140 at-bats. His strong arm has made him effective at nabbing would-be base stealers as well.
FIRST BASEMAN
Will Simpson (LAN)
Simpson has done nothing but hit since the A’s made him their 15th-round draft pick last year. He’s drawn 34 walks in 44 games this season, while his .432 on-base percentage is best among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 140 at-bats, and his .307 batting average is good for second-best. The 22-year-old Simpson could be in line for a promotion to Double-A Midland before long.
SECOND BASEMAN
Armando Alvarez (LV)
Signed as a minor league free agent in the offseason, the 29-year-old infielder has spent most of his career at the hot corner, but he’s been the main starter at second base for Las Vegas this season. His .397 on-base percentage is second-best among all current Aviators with at least 100 plate appearances. Alvarez may not technically be considered a prospect at this point but, with a little luck, he could end up finding his way onto the A’s roster this season.
SHORTSTOP
Jacob Wilson (MID/LV)
Last year’s top draft pick for the A’s couldn’t have gotten off to a better start in his pro career. Before being sidelined with a knee injury in mid-May, Wilson put up a .438 batting average and a 1.109 OPS for Midland and Las Vegas, both bests among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 100 plate appearances. He also managed to collect 15 doubles in just 112 at-bats before landing on the injured list.
THIRD BASEMAN
Luke Mann (STK/LAN)
Last year’s 14th-round draft pick for the A’s has made his mark in a hurry. His 55 hits are tied for most in the system, while his .311 batting average is best among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 140 at-bats, and his .537 slugging percentage is good for second-best. After getting off to a great start with Stockton, the 24-year-old infielder was promoted to Lansing just last week.
LEFT FIELDER
Colby Thomas (MID)
Thomas has been the most potent power hitter in the A’s system this season while playing in the pitcher-friendly Texas League. 2022’s 3rd-round draft pick leads all A’s minor leaguers with 29 extra-base hits, 14 home runs and 45 RBIs, and his .577 slugging percentage is best among all A’s minor league hitters with at least 140 at-bats.
CENTER FIELDER
Henry Bolte (LAN)
The 20-year-old has been one of the best all-around hitters in the A’s system this season. Bolte’s .947 OPS is tops among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 140 at-bats, while his 21 stolen bases are second-most in the system, and his 24 extra-base hits are tied for second-most. His combination of power and speed have made Bolte a potent force on the field for Lansing.
RIGHT FIELDER
Brayan Buelvas (LAN)
The 21-year-old Colombian outfielder appears to have made some big strides forward this season. Buelvas is currently boasting a slash line of .280/.390/.506. His 5 triples lead all A’s minor leaguers, while his 24 extra-base hits are tied for second-most, and his 14 stolen bases are good for third-most in the system.
RIGHT-HANDED STARTER
Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang (STK/LAN)
Zhuang has been the best pitcher in the A’s system so far this season. His 2.23 ERA and 0.94 WHIP are both bests among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 30 innings pitched. The 23-year-old Taiwanese righty has issued just 6 walks while striking out 42 in 36 1/3 innings of work. He was just promoted to Lansing last week after making 9 appearances for Stockton.
LEFT-HANDED STARTER
Will Johnston (LAN/STK)
Last year’s 13th-round draft pick for the A’s has gotten off to a great start in his pro career. Johnston currently leads all A’s minor leaguers with 52 strikeouts in just 36 innings of work. His 13 K/9 is best among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 30 innings pitched. The 23-year-old lefty was promoted to Lansing after just 4 appearances with Stockton and has compiled a 2.75 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP so far this season.
CLOSER
Grant Holman (MID)
Holman has been lights-out for Midland this year. 2021’s 6th-round pick for the A’s has failed to allow a run in 19 1/3 innings this season while striking out 24 and recording 6 saves for the RockHounds.
* * *
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm.