Picture credit score: © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photos
The State of the System: The Athletics system has improved a good bit from final 12 months’s second-to-last org rating, nevertheless it nonetheless lacks a lot in the way in which of influence expertise on the prime or depth general.
2024 Oakland Athletics High Prospects
The High Ten:
Nick Kurtz, 1B
Jacob Wilson, SS
Luis Morales, RHP
Denzel Clarke, OF
Max Muncy, SS
Steven Echavarria, RHP
Mason Barnett, RHP
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, SS
Kade Morris, RHP
Tommy White, 3B
1.
Nick Kurtz
Pos: 1B
Born: 2003-03-12
B: Left
T: Left
H: 6′ 5″
W: 240 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted fourth general within the 2024 draft, Wake Forest College; signed for $7 million.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2024
MSS
WIN
21
39
8
2
1
1
8
6
10
0
0
.333
.436
.545
–
.455
2024
STK
Lo-A
21
35
11
2
0
4
12
10
7
0
0
.400
.571
.960
147
.429
2024
MID
AA
21
15
3
1
0
0
1
2
3
1
0
.308
.400
.385
106
.400
The Report: Kurtz spent three years within the ACC completely destroying baseballs, hitting his technique to a top-five choice in final summer time’s draft. It’s laborious to nitpick the efficiency, he does every part properly on the plate. He continued to hit the ball laborious with wooden after the draft and make a whole lot of contact for the ability he generates, whereas not increasing the zone a lot in any respect. Kurtz has a compact, torquey swing for his dimension, however he’s not a sell-out, lift-and-pull man. Whereas making an attempt to raise and rejoice would possibly assist him faucet right into a tad extra over-the-fence energy, he’s a adequate hitter it shouldn’t matter if he’s averaging a 12 diploma launch angle as an alternative of 18. He additionally has struggled some towards higher velocity, which he nonetheless received’t see a ton of till the higher minors, however Kurtz has a really well-rounded offensive ability set which ought to settle into one thing like plus hit, plus energy, and loads of OBP. Now Kurtz is first-base-only and merely “superb” there, so he might want to hit so much, however he has but to discover a degree the place there isn’t a one in entrance of the decimal level in his OPS. So it’s honest to be assured he’ll cross the “so much” line. If you wish to nitpick a bit extra although, we’ve stated that about a whole lot of excessive decide faculty nook bats currently, and most haven’t hit that plus final result. You actually do must hit so much.
OFP: 60 / Plus first basemanVariance: Medium. Kurtz had a not insignificant shoulder damage within the spring within the midst of a tough first half for the Demon Deacons. Every little thing popped after that, however the shoulder is one thing to control given how bat velocity/energy dependent the profile is. However well being allowing he needs to be an on a regular basis first sacker in brief order. This mix of contact, swing selections, and pop, even in a brief professional pattern, simply isn’t that frequent.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 52
Potential Earnings: $15-20
Fantasy Overview: At his greatest, Kurtz faucets into all of his plus energy in video games with stable contact abilities and a affected person method. Some struggles towards excessive velocity and a borderline passive method create some three-true-outcomes danger. Kurtz has the upside to develop right into a .275/30+ bat with a lift in OBP codecs
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Anthony Rizzo
2.
Jacob Wilson
Pos: SS
Born: 2002-03-30
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 2″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted sixth general in 2023 draft, Grand Canyon College; signed for $5.5 million.
Earlier Rank: #5 (org)
Main League ETA: Debuted in 2024
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2023
A-ATH
ROK
21
12
4
2
0
0
5
0
1
0
0
.455
.500
.636
–
.500
2023
LAN
Hello-A
21
99
13
9
0
1
8
6
10
4
1
.318
.378
.455
122
.346
2024
A-ATH
ROK
22
17
4
4
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
.571
.647
.857
–
.571
2024
MID
AA
22
93
18
13
0
3
19
2
10
2
1
.455
.473
.705
134
.487
2024
LV
AAA
22
116
26
11
0
4
17
9
5
0
0
.396
.448
.613
125
.392
2024
OAK
MLB
22
103
11
2
2
0
3
8
10
0
0
.250
.314
.315
100
.277
The Report: It was a story of two halves for Wilson, who had about nearly as good a primary half within the minors as you may. Regardless of getting jumped straight to Double-A for his first full professional season, he hit .455 for a month, earlier than cooling off to .396 within the desert of Las Vegas. At his Triple-A cease he ran a 99% in-zone contact charge whereas including a little bit of hole energy to his recreation. By the point Wilson was known as as much as the large membership shortly after the All-Star Break, I declared my faculty write-up on him was “about as a lot as I’ve undershot a prospect whereas being appropriate in regards to the common ability set.” He promptly bought a success in his first at-bat—a single, naturally—after which strained his hamstring rounding third base. Wilson made it again to the Athletics lineup about six weeks later and from there on out…properly I’ll have been proper earlier than I used to be fallacious. He nonetheless demonstrated elite bat-to-ball abilities, however the influence was dulled by higher stuff and an excessively expansive method. Chase has at all times been a difficulty for Wilson going again to school, and he merely could make extra contact than he ought to, resulting in rolled over floor balls or medium flyners.
Additionally regarding is that each defensive metric graded him out at below-average at shortstop. I by no means thought Wilson could be a gold glover there, however a minimum of a stable, workmanlike 55 on the six—which would offer a ground for his on-field worth even when the grounders weren’t discovering holes. It’s a small pattern—and these are all small samples—nevertheless it’s one thing to control. On stability, Wilson is a greater prospect now than he was a 12 months in the past—you possibly can’t simply handwave how briskly he bought to the majors—however conversely he hasn’t truly assuaged as lots of the offensive dangers as you’d like.
OFP: 55 / Above-average shortstopVariance: Medium. Wilson will likely be penciled in at shortstop for the 2025 Athletics, and we’ll get an extended, hopefully more healthy take a look at what he can do towards major-league stuff. If he reins within the chase even slightly that may assist buoy the general hit instrument again to plus, however he’s a reasonably protected guess to be a minimum of a mean major-leaguer, assuming the defensive dip is merely a blip.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 39
Potential Earnings: $5-10
Fantasy Overview: Wilson is the intense model of the empty-average infielder through which he principally by no means whiffs but in addition not often impacts the ball and gives little to no velocity. How you are feeling about Luis Arraez doubtless will apply in equal measure to Wilson. He’s a high-probability fantasy-relevant performer however with restricted ceiling.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Mark Loretta
3.
Luis Morales
Pos: RHP
Born: 2002-09-24
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 3″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: igned January 2023 out of Cuba for $3 million.
Earlier Rank: #4 (org)
Main League ETA: 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2023
A-ATH
ROK
20
0
2
0
3
3
9.0
10
0
5.0%
27.5%
11
63.0%
.370
1.33
6.00
–
2023
D-ATH
ROK
20
0
0
0
4
3
11.0
4
0
5.1%
41.0%
16
57.1%
.190
0.55
0.82
–
2023
STK
Lo-A
20
0
3
0
5
5
16.3
13
0
11.6%
26.1%
18
45.2%
.310
1.29
2.20
4.71
2023
LAN
Hello-A
20
0
0
0
2
2
7.7
6
2
9.4%
25.0%
8
33.3%
.211
1.17
3.52
4.92
2024
LAN
Hello-A
21
2
4
0
22
22
81.0
71
8
10.7%
24.9%
84
44.0%
.303
1.32
4.22
4.07
The Report: The A‘s slowly stretched out Morales in 2024, and whereas you will have solely gotten to see him in small doses, the stuff was actually large. His fastball was routinely as much as 99 and sat mid-to-upper 90s and when his supply is on line, he simply performs catch on the prime of the zone. He pairs the plus-plus heater with two completely different breaking ball appears: a low-80s curve with extra depth, and a mid-to-upper-80s slider that’s extra of an influence slurve. I believe the slider finally ends up higher long run—assuming it will get totally teased out—however somehow, there’s a superb shot at a plus breaker to again the 7 fastball.
Okay, now let’s circle again to “when his supply is on line.” Morales has a fairly simple tempo as much as when he begins driving ahead, however then he accelerates every part late to generate his near-triple-digit velocity. That may result in non-competitive fastballs and breaking balls pulled to the glove facet as he wrenches his launch throughout his physique. Along with the greater than intermittent glove-side command points, Morales doesn’t actually maintain the highest finish velocity deeper in even his 3-4 inning outings, settling extra round 95 as the sport goes on. He does have a changeup and whereas there’s simply 10+ mph of separation on it from the fastball, it’s nonetheless very agency with a little bit of an arm-side wrinkle to it when it isn’t pulled into the grime. If this all seems like a late-inning reliever to you, properly, you might be most likely proper, however there’s most likely some worth in holding the 21-year-old stretched out for a minimum of one other 12 months to see if there’s additional progress in his command and stamina in Double-A. As a result of these items is large if he can keep a starter.
OFP: 55 / no. 3/4 starter however extra doubtless a superb eighth inning man or second-division nearer.Variance: Excessive. If this all seems like a late-inning reliever to you, properly, you might be most likely proper.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 105
Potential Earnings: $10-15
Fantasy Overview: Morales tantalizes with an electrical fastball and devastating slider. But, he has aid markers with supply and command inconsistencies and bother sustaining velocity deep in begins. Regardless, Morales has fantasy upside, both as a unstable, high-strikeout starter or a lights-out reliever.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Late-career Charlie Morton
4.
Denzel Clarke
Pos: OF
Born: 2000-05-01
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 4″
W: 220 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the fourth spherical of the 2021 draft, Cal State Northridge; signed for $700,000.
Earlier Rank: #1 (org), #99 (High 101)
Main League ETA: Late 2025/Early 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2022
STK
Lo-A
22
193
37
14
2
7
26
28
56
14
2
.295
.420
.545
119
.411
2022
LAN
Hello-A
22
218
30
9
2
8
21
28
79
16
1
.209
.317
.406
105
.307
2023
MID
AA
23
286
54
11
4
12
43
37
85
11
1
.261
.381
.496
116
.348
2024
MSS
WIN
24
74
21
1
2
1
12
13
18
7
1
.373
.500
.508
–
.525
2024
MID
AA
24
478
74
21
8
13
53
39
143
36
9
.269
.339
.445
97
.373
The Report: Regardless of large instruments, Clarke has struggled to remain on the sphere as a professional resulting from recurrent shoulder accidents. He bought a full-season within the Texas League below his belt in 2024, and after a cool begin, confirmed off extra of the plus-power/plus-speed combo that snuck him on the again of final 12 months’s High 101. The ability continues to be very a lot current, though Clarke’s considerably sophisticated setup and swing path—he begins with the bat pointed behind him, flicks it up, after which wraps slightly anyway—means he’s not at all times getting probably the most out of his bat velocity and energy. He can find yourself late on pitches you’d choose he flip round to the left subject bleachers, which might be as an alternative laborious, inside-out line drives. There will likely be swing-and-miss points as properly, so that you’d prefer to see a bit extra recreation energy to offset what will likely be a below-average hit instrument general. Clarke was a lot better after a gradual begin to 2024, slashing .307/.374/.510 after June 1st, however that run got here after he’d already logged 120 video games on the degree as a 24-year-old. Parsing out how a lot of that was “determining the extent” versus “my shoulder isn’t bothering me anymore” generally is a maddening hindsight train, however the offensive projection goes to stay very high-variance regardless. The protection is sweet in heart subject as Clarke runs properly and simply cruises from hole to hole flagging down fly balls, so if he may even handle sufficient pop to buoy a major-league line to in vary of common, he ought to have a really good profession.
OFP: 55 / Above-average heart fielderVariance: Excessive. Accidents have meant Clarke has been previous for his degree the final couple seasons, and he hasn’t dominated Double-A as a lot as you’d hope. Nonetheless there’s clear on a regular basis upside within the profile if he even hits .230 or so.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 221
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview:.Clarke has intriguing power-speed potential clouded by a below-average hit instrument. His glove and instruments ought to present alternatives, nonetheless. If it clicks, Clarke has as a lot fantasy upside as anybody on this system.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Drew Stubbs
5.
Max Muncy
Pos: SS
Born: 2002-08-25
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 0″
W: 180 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the first spherical of the 2021 draft, Thousand Oaks HS (Thousand Oaks, CA); signed for $2.85 million.
Earlier Rank: #2 (org)
Main League ETA: 2025
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2022
STK
Lo-A
19
365
50
16
1
16
51
51
109
6
5
.230
.352
.447
108
.298
2022
LAN
Hello-A
19
190
19
12
2
3
19
18
60
13
1
.226
.305
.375
83
.327
2023
MSS
WIN
20
87
13
4
1
4
14
8
21
7
0
.205
.287
.436
–
.226
2023
LAN
Hello-A
20
312
36
18
0
6
31
31
92
9
3
.255
.327
.385
87
.356
2023
MID
AA
20
233
40
17
0
4
31
21
54
4
0
.302
.387
.446
94
.396
2024
A-ATH
ROK
21
30
5
4
0
2
5
0
13
1
0
.379
.400
.724
–
.643
2024
LV
AAA
21
203
28
11
1
8
33
18
50
4
2
.277
.374
.491
101
.342
The Report: One other Athletics prospect who’s handled a latest damage bug, Muncy was restricted to simply 58 video games in 2024 resulting from a hand damage. Even in an abbreviated season although, he managed to ascertain himself as a possible 2025 infield possibility for the A’s. As a participant he’s fairly near the polar reverse of his Dodgers dopplegänger—though they could find yourself taking part in largely the identical positions—with an aggressive, up-the-middle-oriented method and a really common offensive ability set. Muncy’s 2024 energy spike was actually environmentally-aided, however he’s gotten stronger within the execs, and initiatives for common energy now. One thing like .260 and 17 house runs isn’t all that thrilling, nevertheless it’s a pleasant little participant if you find yourself a mean defender at quick as well. Muncy might not find yourself taking part in shortstop in deference to Jacob Wilson’s glove nonetheless, and he’s a little bit of a tweener at second or third except he finds one other half grade of hit or energy within the bigs. He’s very more likely to be an enormous leaguer although, and whereas nothing right here will wow you, there’s nonetheless a shot it provides as much as an above-average common someplace on the grime.
OFP: 50 / Common infielderVariance: Medium. Muncy may be very near main league influence, but in addition can’t actually give again any of his hit and energy positive factors within the bigs and nonetheless be something greater than a fringe common.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 322
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: A really common offensive ability set that receives common MLB taking part in time is usually a fantasy-relevant participant, particularly at shortstop. One thing like .260 and 17 house runs isn’t all that thrilling, nevertheless it’s a pleasant little [fantasy] participant.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Orlando Arcia
6.
Steven Echavarria
Pos: RHP
Born: 2005-08-06
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 1″
W: 180 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted 72nd general within the 2023 draft, Millburn HS (Millburn, NJ); signed for $3 million.
Earlier Rank: #7 (org)
Main League ETA: 2027/2028
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2024
STK
Lo-A
18
0
5
0
19
19
57.7
74
4
12.8%
20.9%
59
45.6%
.393
1.91
6.55
6.35
The Report: You’d anticipate some rising pains from a third-round, young-for-his-class, cold-weather prep arm, and Echavarria’s 2024 marketing campaign actually qualifies. The North Jersey righty held a superb little bit of his draft 12 months velocity positive factors, though he sits extra in a mean velocity band given his age and handedness. He does have plus arm velocity and completely rips it although his arm stroke, which provides him a little bit of added carry however can result in an inconsistent launch level and downright scattershot management. The fastball is usually there to arrange Echavarria’s breaking ball: a tough, two-plane slider that’s completely an excessive amount of for Cal League hitters and feels a bit mild at merely a plus projection, however like his heater, it’s nonetheless fairly inconsistent. He even flashes a pleasant little split-change once in a while. Echavarria pitched virtually all the season as an 18-year-old, however his season was a little bit of a multitude truthfully. Nonetheless, there’s apparent upside within the stuff right here, even when you recognize the variance and aid danger for an undersized righty with management points goes to be excessive—irrespective of his age.
OFP: 50 / no. 4 starter or setup slider monsterVariance: Excessive. He has a extremely, actually cool breaking ball. Every little thing else stays a piece in progress.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 307
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Echavarria had an up-and-down 12 months, with comprehensible rising pains as an 18-year-old in Low-A. Nevertheless, he has stuff to dream on in fantasy, particularly if he sees additional velocity positive factors and command enchancment.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Jarrod Parker
7.
Mason Barnett
Pos: RHP
Born: 2000-11-07
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 0″
W: 218 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted by the Kansas Metropolis Royals within the third spherical of the 2022 draft, Auburn College; signed for $697,500. Acquired from the Royals for Lucas Erceg.
Earlier Rank: #11 (org, KCR)
Main League ETA: 2025
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2022
A-ROY
ROK
21
0
0
0
1
1
1.0
0
0
0.0%
33.3%
1
50.0%
.000
0.00
0.00
–
2022
COL
Lo-A
21
1
0
0
3
0
7.0
0
0
4.8%
52.4%
11
37.5%
.000
0.14
0.00
4.30
2023
QC
Hello-A
22
4
6
0
16
16
82.0
59
3
11.2%
27.7%
94
40.8%
.286
1.18
3.18
3.82
2023
NWA
AA
22
2
1
0
7
7
32.7
27
2
8.8%
31.4%
43
50.6%
.316
1.19
3.58
4.06
2024
NWA
AA
23
5
6
0
19
18
91.7
89
9
9.0%
27.4%
109
45.3%
.336
1.36
4.91
3.79
2024
MID
AA
23
4
2
0
7
7
41.3
32
4
7.8%
31.1%
52
31.0%
.295
1.09
2.61
3.44
The Report: Barnett led the Athletics return for reliever Lucas Erceg on the deadline. Placing apart whether or not or not the return was sufficient for a late-inning reliever with a few years of management—albeit one who will flip 30 subsequent 12 months—Barnett has continued his path in the direction of major-league back-end starterdom with a stable sufficient season within the Texas League. He’s made some enhancements with each his breaking balls, and whereas they nonetheless don’t at all times get down and out of the zone as typically as you’d like, each ought to find yourself average-or-better—along with his mid-80s slider extra more likely to hit the “or higher.” Barnett’s fastball is average-ish in velocity, and visually unimpressive—it appears prefer it simply type of floats up there to hitters—however generates sufficient late hacks to recommend a minimum of a 3rd common pitch. He has a change as properly, nevertheless it’s a little bit of a flat runner and infrequently prefers to make use of his vertically transferring breakers towards lefties. I stay involved about how a lot his reasonably pedestrian stuff leads to the zone—particularly the breaking balls—and I anticipate that will likely be an issue within the majors if he doesn’t tighten up his command some extra, however the general arsenal enhancements have firmed up final 12 months’s fourth starter projection a bit.
OFP: 50 / no. 4 starterVariance: Medium. There’s nonetheless some aid danger in Barnett’s profile, and even when he stays a starter, he might get knocked round extra like a fifth/sixth starter if his slider and curve don’t persistently get out of the zone and induce whiff as soon as there.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 408
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Barnett has 4 viable pitches with no true plus providing and sufficient command to squeeze out fantasy worth as a back-end starter. Are you keen to belief that profile in Sacramento, nonetheless?
Reckless Fantasy Comp: James Kaprielian
8.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer
Pos: SS
Born: 2003-01-31
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 0″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the third spherical of the 2024 draft, Rutgers College; signed for $1,043,900.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: Late 2026
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2024
STK
Lo-A
21
63
13
0
0
0
4
7
5
4
1
.389
.476
.389
112
.429
2024
LAN
Hello-A
21
50
4
2
0
0
3
5
3
1
1
.286
.400
.333
114
.308
2024
LV
AAA
21
13
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
.167
.231
.167
98
.182
The Report: Kuroda-Grauer hit properly over .400 his junior 12 months at Rutgers, and whereas he remained a lot the identical type of punch-and-slash hitter he was his first two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, .428 is .428. I doubt he’ll come inside 100 factors of that within the execs, and there’s 30 energy right here at greatest, however Kuroda-Grauer’s bat-to-ball abilities are plus. He works from a quite simple arrange: low fingers, minimal load, direct to the ball. He’s aggressive within the zone, very slashy and opposite-field oriented. The dearth of influence suggests the hit instrument would possibly solely play to a 55 or so, nevertheless it ought to include a bevy of walks and an extended line of pissed off pitchers as he wastes their greatest offspeed. Kuroda-Grauer was a shortstop at Rutgers and has performed largely on the six within the execs, however his arm energy is slightly mild for the left facet. His throws fly on him a bit when he actually has to get into one, though in any other case he’s correct, even on the transfer. He’s higher match for second, however has performed a little bit of outfield in summer time ball, and I wouldn’t be stunned if he finally ends up carrying a duffle bag full of various gloves by the point he will get to the majors. Kuroda-Grauer isn’t going to wow you with instruments on both facet of the ball, however given his knack for hitting and talent to face at a bunch of locations, he ought to carve out a major major-league profession for a minimum of just a few years.
OFP: 50 / Helpful 500 PA man who can bounce round and hits everywhereVariance: Medium. The hit-tool pushed, walks greater than he strikes out, not a premium defender, third spherical faculty man is at all times going to must show it at each degree, particularly those the place pitchers can begin finding extra premium stuff towards you.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: UR
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Kuroda-Grauer hit .428 in faculty (second in D-1) then .324 in a debut that completed in Triple-A. He’s a high-contact hitter with below-average energy (and even much less over-the-fence energy). But, he might develop right into a helpful fantasy piece with stable averages and a few steals.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: David Fletcher
9.
Kade Morris
Pos: RHP
Born: 2002-06-21
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 3″
W: 190 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted by the New York Mets within the third spherical of the 2023 draft, College of Nevada; signed for $666,500. Acquired from the Mets for Paul Blackburn.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: Late 2026/2027
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
W
L
SV
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB%
Ok%
Ok
GB%
BABIP
WHIP
ERA
DRA
2023
F-MET
ROK
21
0
0
0
1
1
1.0
1
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
60.0%
.200
1.00
0.00
–
2023
SLU
Lo-A
21
0
0
0
1
1
2.3
1
0
18.2%
27.3%
3
50.0%
.167
1.29
3.86
5.42
2024
SLU
Lo-A
22
0
3
0
7
6
34.7
34
6
7.4%
25.5%
38
45.5%
.304
1.30
3.63
4.12
2024
BRK
Hello-A
22
4
3
0
11
10
57.7
48
4
7.8%
23.3%
57
47.9%
.280
1.16
3.43
3.88
2024
LAN
Hello-A
22
0
6
0
7
7
38.0
41
3
6.5%
14.2%
24
54.8%
.309
1.37
5.92
4.39
2024
LV
AAA
22
0
1
1
2
1
5.7
9
2
13.8%
6.9%
2
52.2%
.333
2.29
11.12
6.90
2024 StuffPro: FA (1), SI (0.5), SW (-1), SL (0.3), CU (-0.3), CH (0.9)
The Report: Morris is a little bit of a kitchen-sink righty now, exhibiting off two completely different fastballs and three completely different breaking ball appears. The four-seam and sinker each are available round 93-94 and, whereas neither breaks common on the scouting scale, it’s an efficient combo working off one another. His big-breaking upper-70s curve has been his only off-speed possibility, however it may possibly type of roll in at occasions and never have the late snap down and out of the zone. Morris’ sweeper exhibits inconsistent command and opposing batters can monitor it east-west, and he works in a tougher slider/cutter factor as properly. He additionally has a change which he makes use of sparingly, and it’s a bit too agency and flat to actually miss bats towards lefties. The curve and laborious slider will most likely be higher platoon-neutralizing choices for him. Morris has a bushel of fringe-average pitch choices, and throws strikes. He may be higher off specializing in refining considered one of his breaking balls to go along with the fastball combine, because it’s unclear if he has a bat-missing possibility among the many secondaries proper now.
OFP: 50 / no. 4 starterVariance: Medium. Morris’s Ok-rate dipped after the deadline deal, and whereas he’s by no means going to be a pitcher who blows guys away, contact suppression solely will get you to this point (the higher minors) earlier than you should discover a swing-and-miss possibility.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: UR
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Morris has a ho-hum, deep arsenal with a borderline fastball that didn’t miss many bats within the decrease minors in 2024. That stated, his stuff does bear some similarities to …
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Poor man’s Michael King
10.
Tommy White
Pos: 3B
Born: 2003-03-02
B: Proper
T: Proper
H: 6′ 1″
W: 228 lbs.
Historical past: Drafted within the second spherical of the 2024 draft, LSU; signed for $3 million.
Earlier Rank: NR
Main League ETA: 2027
Yr
Group
Stage
Age
PA
R
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
Ok
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
DRC+
BABIP
2024
STK
Lo-A
21
119
15
2
0
2
15
9
21
0
0
.224
.303
.299
91
.262
The Report: The Athletics picked a whole lot of well-known guys in final summer time’s draft. On one degree it’s nonetheless fairly laborious to be well-known as a university baseball participant, however White has drawn consideration for some time. He began his faculty profession at NC State with a barrage of homers, and continued hitting for energy after transferring to LSU. Regardless of the gaudy house run totals although, White merely has above-average uncooked energy and switches to a really defensive two-strike method—which is a depend he will get right into a good bit given his propensity to chase—neither of which is a superb marker for influence energy with wooden bats. He’s usually made sufficient contact that even when it’s not all that high-quality general, sufficient of it’s to make the profile work. That’s a difficult recreation to maintain taking part in within the execs although. White may also doubtless have to slip over to first base quickly given his backside of the dimensions velocity. So he might want to optimize his level of contact extra and/or minimize down his chase (and people two issues are doubtless a paired final result) to make the profile work from right here on out.
OFP: 50 / Second-division nook bopperVariance: Excessive. On condition that White doesn’t have clearly plus exits or optimum spray, he’s going to must hold the contact charge excessive for the general offensive line to assist minimal defensive/positional worth. The early returns on that within the execs weren’t nice.
Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:
High-500 Dynasty Prospects: 245
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: “Tommy Tanks” had a adorned collegiate profession, however he lacks big uncooked energy that aligns with the moniker (it’s merely above-average), and his aggressive method doubtless will likely be uncovered in professional ball
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Kevin Kouzmanoff
11. Gage Leap, LHP (Did Not Pitch)One other “well-known” draftee. Leap was a major prep prospect within the 2021 draft, earlier than heading to UCLA, getting Tommy John, after which transferring to LSU. He’s come again sturdy from the surgical procedure, routinely touching 95 with good trip out of a stabby, funky arm path, and has added a possible plus energy slider to go along with his 12-6 curve. It’s unclear if Leap can truly deal with the trials of the rotation over the lengthy haul, however his misleading, driving fastball, with two breaking ball appears can purchase him loads of time within the Oakland system to determine that out. And as a fallback, the fastball/slider combo might very properly play within the late innings.
12. Grant Holman, RHP (Oakland Athletics)Holman was completely dominant within the higher minors, and had a little bit of major-league success in a quick cup of espresso with the A’s. His energy, diving changeup is a straightforward plus pitch and he sits mid-90s with good extension, though that’s not a particular fastball for a righty reliever these days. Nonetheless it needs to be stable sufficient. Holman additionally throws a mid-80s slider with some depth to it, however he’s not at all times on prime of the pitch and I’d anticipate it to be extra of a 3rd possibility within the majors, as he’s fairly comfy throwing the change right-on-right. I don’t know that he has late-inning stuff, however needs to be a high-floor center reliever with some low-end setup potential for just a few seasons.
13. Colby Thomas, OF (Triple-A Las Vegas)A small-college bopper at Mercer who the Athletics took within the third spherical of the 2022 draft, Thomas’ bat took a step ahead final season, as he cracked 30+ house runs within the higher minors. A few of that is because of taking part in many of the season in Las Vegas/the PCL, however Thomas does wring a good bit of energy out of his smaller, 5-foot-10 body. He’s a superb runner as properly, though extra in a future left fielder method than a real up-the-middle defender. The principle points with Thomas stay a hyper-aggressive method and vulnerability to offspeed—not an auspicious mixture. The A’s do have a tendency to offer these energy/velocity varieties some major-league leash, however Thomas is a high-variance bench outfielder at current, and it’s simpler to see the ground caving in towards major-league stuff than him reaching the ceiling
14. Kyle Robinson, RHP (Low-A Stockton)I don’t know what precisely is compelling me to place an Eleventh-round, $150,000 faculty arm who didn’t pitch significantly properly at Texas Tech—and spent just one season as a full-time starter there—this excessive on even a below-average org’s record. There’s nonetheless just a few extra high-floor relievers and boom-or-bust energy/velocity guys to get by way of, however Robinson drilled into my mind a bit after I was working the system protection up. He’s bought a pedestrian fastball with a snatchy, cross-body arm motion that results in some command-and-control points with stated pitch, however an above-average fading change, and a probably common slider that may get down under bats with some bore as properly. Nothing within the efficiency actually says he’s a backend beginning pitching prospect, however right here I’m scratching at that itch in my mind. Let’s get again to the relievers now.
15. Will Klein, RHP (Oakland Athletics)One other a part of the Lucas Erceg return, I assume the thought is to show Klein into the subsequent Lucas Erceg. Effectively he throws as laborious as Erceg, sitting upper-90s, nevertheless it takes a whole lot of effort to actually tune up the fastball, and his two breakers had been a bit extra pop-a-strike than swing-and-miss monster in his first cameo within the majors. The slider ought to get there for Klein, nonetheless, however the general profile looks like an inconsistent center reliever who runs off a season and a half of dominance someplace in there.
16. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP (Triple-A Las Vegas)It looks like eons since Hoglund was a first-round decide of the Blue Jays (it’s solely been slightly over three years). He by no means threw a pitch within the Jays org, getting dealt to the Athletics for Matt Chapman whereas he was nonetheless recovering from his junior season Tommy John. It’s been a bumpy highway again from surgical procedure, however Hoglund twirled 100 fairly efficient innings for Double-A Midland final season. He’s considerably a lesser model of Kade Morris at this level: rather less efficient fastball, heavier on the cutter and slider appears, though each pitches are extra common than above, every part will get a bit an excessive amount of plate. Possibly he’s truly a bit extra like Victor Lizarraga within the Pads system. The Athletics each have extra room and extra success for this sort of fringe starter profile, however additionally they have a reasonably crowded set of back-end starter choices for the time being for that motive.
17. J.T. Ginn, RHP (Oakland Athletics)For instance, J.T. Ginn. It’s positively been eons since Ginn was an overslot-second rounder for the Mets proper? (4 years, Jeffrey) He had a university Tommy John of his personal, after which handled additional forearm points after getting dealt to the A’s for Chris Bassitt. He threw a full wholesome season in 2024, getting a handful of major-league begins late within the season. Primarily a sinker/slider arm at this level—he’s mucked round with 5 – 6 completely different pitches all through his professional profession—when Ginn has superb sufficient command of his prime two pitches he can seem like a mean major-league starter, however I’m not significantly satisfied he’ll have the ability to try this long run within the bigs. He would possibly find yourself extra of an AJ Cole/Austin Voth sort, which most likely sounds extra derogatory than it truly is meant to be.
Individuals of Curiosity
Henry Bolte, OF (Double-A Midland)And now, again to the ability/velocity prospects. Bolte has the worst swing-and-miss considerations of the lot, however is a 70 runner with potential above-average pop if he manages any type of enhancements in pitch recognition. He was solely 20 and spent a few of 2024 in Double-A in spite of everything.
Ryan Cusick, RHP (Triple-A Las Vegas)Cusick bought added to the Athletics 40-man, however the one time he’s proven remotely viable command in his profession had been the six post-draft begins he made for Augusta in 2021 (and which the Braves then used to flip him as a part of the Matt Olson commerce. He nonetheless throws within the mid-90s. His slider can nonetheless look good at occasions. He can even miss with it by a number of ft, typically inside the similar at-bat.
Rodney Inexperienced, OF (Low-A Stockton)The A’s fourth rounder out of Cal is one other energy/velocity instrument shed with important bat-to-ball considerations. Sacramento has a sort, and the upside is apparent, however Inexperienced had scary zone-contact charges in faculty.
Ryan Lasko, OF (Excessive-A Lansing)Lasko was speculated to be one other energy/velocity outfielder for the org to dream on, however he struggled to hit for energy or common in 2024 and confirmed extra points with low minors spin than you’d choose to see from a significant faculty bat. Lasko stays a fairly good heart fielder with some OBP abilities, so it’s actually value working it again one other 12 months.
Cole Miller, RHP (Did Not Pitch)Miller made the highest ten final 12 months as a fourth spherical Cali prep with mid-90s warmth and a sophisticated slider, however he had Tommy John surgical procedure final spring and has but to throw a pitch within the execs. He’ll doubtless flip 20-years-old earlier than he actually will get occurring his rehab, and we’ll see what now we have then.
Myles Naylor, SS (Low-A Stockton)Naylor hit below .200 within the Cal League whereas making 30 errors between each center infield spots. We’ve got to say him right here as a former supplemental first-round decide, however this can be a season to place behind you as rapidly as potential.
Daniel Susac, C (Double-A Midland)Susac largely continued his gradual burn in the direction of backup catcherdom, however his framing stays fringy and his bat won’t have sufficient juice in it to cowl for that deficiency.
High Skills 25 and Below (as of 4/1/2025)
Nick Kurtz, 1B
Lawrence Butler, OF
Jacob Wilson, SS
Tyler Soderstrom, 1B
Luis Morales, RHP
Denzel Clarke, OF
Max Muncy, SS
Steven Echavarria, RHP
Mason Barnett, RHP
Zack Gelof, 2B
The 2024 Athletics weren’t an previous staff, however a number of of their key arrow up guys (Shea Langeliers, J.J. Bleday), are a 12 months or two previous eligibility for the 25U. However each Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom improved on substitute degree 2023 campaigns final season and sure established themselves as medium-term starters within the outfield and first base. Each bought there in related methods, cleansing up their swing selections and whiffing a bit much less at offspeed year-over-year.
These weren’t earth-shattering modifications, however given how laborious each are able to hitting baseballs, any method and call refinements had been going to have outsized results on the batted ball outputs, and Butler jumped 23 factors of DRC+, Soderstrom 37. Butler has the longer pattern and extra defensive worth, and whereas he’s by no means going to run excessive OBPs, he ought to stay an above-average common so long as he can run the knife’s fringe of excessive injury on contact. Soderstrom has to recover from the next bar at first base, however I do really feel like he may need one other gear but to unlock on the plate. Even when he doesn’t get there, what he confirmed in 2024 is sweet sufficient for an second-division starter, and the A’s ought to stay a second-division staff for a bit.
Zack Gelof was by no means going to repeat his torrid debut given his contact points, however the efficiency cratered in a short time and really deeply. If he can handle to center his two seasons in 2025, he’d be an inexpensive possibility at second base. I’m not significantly assured that occurs however a forty five within the hand is value a spot on this record.
Among the many different eligible gamers, Joey Estes made 24 begins for the Athletics to the tune of a 5 ERA, and it’s laborious to seek out a lot room for optimism given the enormous purple blotches in the midst of the strike zone that make up his arsenal warmth maps on his savant web page. Conversely, Joe Boyle continues to have nice uncooked stuff, however solely finds the strike zone through the occasional completely happy accident. —Jeffrey Paternostro
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