by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
June 24, 2024
Now that we’re halfway through the minor league season, let’s take a look at who the most promising prospects have been at each position in the A’s minor league system in the first half…
CATCHER
Cole Conn (STK/LAN)
Last year’s 12th-round draft pick for the A’s has impressed with his ability to get on base. The 22-year-old switch-hitter has drawn 39 walks in 55 games, and his .402 on-base percentage is third-best among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 150 at-bats. His strong arm has made him effective at nabbing would-be base stealers as well.
FIRST BASEMAN
Will Simpson (LAN)
The 22-year-old has done nothing but hit since the A’s made him their 15th-round draft pick last year. Simpson has drawn 44 walks in 60 games this season, while his .405 on-base percentage is best among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 150 at-bats, and his .872 OPS is the second-best at High-A Lansing behind Henry Bolte.
SECOND BASEMAN
Cooper Bowman (MID)
The 24-year-old infielder, who was acquired from the Yankees in the Frankie Montas trade, leads Double-A Midland in runs (43) and stolen bases (25), while he’s tied for the team lead in walks (33). And with Colby Thomas’s recent promotion to Las Vegas, Bowman’s .789 OPS is now tops among all current RockHounds.
SHORTSTOP
Jacob Wilson (MID/LV/ACL)
Last year’s top draft pick for the A’s couldn’t have gotten off to a better start this season. Despite landing on the injured list on May 18 with a knee injury, the 22-year-old shortstop still leads all A’s minor leaguers with at least 100 at-bats in batting average (.452), on-base percentage (.482), slugging percentage (.675) and OPS (1.156). He’s also managed to collect 19 doubles in just 126 at-bats. Wilson has recently been hitting up a storm while on a rehab assignment with the ACL A’s and is expected to be back in action for Las Vegas soon.
THIRD BASEMAN
Luke Mann (STK/LAN)
After getting off to a great start with Stockton, last year’s 14th-round draft pick for the A’s was promoted to Lansing late last month. The 24-year-old infielder has been a consistent performer all season. His 68 hits are fourth-most in the system, while his 10 home runs are tied for fourth-most, and he’s sporting a solid slash line of .297/.379/.498 in 60 games for Stockton and Lansing.
LEFT FIELDER
Colby Thomas (MID/LV)
2022’s 3rd-round pick for the A’s has been the most potent power hitter in the system this season. The 23-year-old outfielder leads all A’s minor leaguers in home runs (14), doubles (23), extra-base hits (40) and total bases (146) and is tied for the RBI lead (48). He’s also sporting a slugging percentage of .566, which is tops among hitters with at least 150 at-bats. After tearing up the more pitcher-friendly Texas League with Midland, Thomas was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas last week, where he’s continued his hot hitting.
CENTER FIELDER
Henry Bolte (LAN)
2022’s 2nd-round pick for the A’s has been one of the best all-around hitters in the system while appearing in 64 of Lansing’s 68 games so far this season. The 20-year-old outfielder leads all A’s minor leaguers in runs (56) and stolen bases (26) and is tied for the RBI lead (48). He’s also second in extra-base hits (34) and total bases (131). In addition, he’s sporting an OPS of .925, which is tops among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 175 at-bats.
RIGHT FIELDER
Brayan Buelvas (LAN)
The 22-year-old Colombian outfielder appears to have really turned a corner this season. Buelvas is currently boasting a slash line of .277/.382/.468. His 6 triples lead all A’s minor leaguers, while his 44 runs are the second-most in the system, and his 27 extra-base hits, 40 walks, 41 RBI and 15 stolen bases are all good for fourth-most.
STARTING PITCHER
Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang (STK/LAN)
After being sidelined all of last season, the 23-year-old Taiwanese righty has been the best pitcher in the A’s system this season. Zhuang, who was promoted to Lansing from Stockton late last month, currently boasts the best ERA (2.09), WHIP (0.95) and K/BB ratio (8/1) among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 30 innings pitched. He’s also allowed just one home run in 47 1/3 innings of work this season.
RELIEF PITCHER
Grant Holman (MID/LV)
Holman, who was promoted to Las Vegas from Midland three weeks ago, has not allowed a run in 28 2/3 innings of relief this season while notching a total of 34 strikeouts. He’s also tied for the most saves among A’s minor leaguers with 6. And if Holman keeps up the good work, the Cal product could end up finding a spot in the Oakland bullpen before the season’s through.
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