Oakland A’s top ten prospects for 2020

Now that the 2020 MLB Draft has finished, let us take a look at the Oakland A’s top ten prospects for 2020.

Prospects are the lifeblood for any small market team and the Oakland A’s are no exception. Through their trades of higher priced talent, and their focus on international prospects, the A’s have managed to build a fairly impressive farm system.

While the A’s minor leagues have plenty of intriguing prospects, it is also considered to be top heavy. This is understandable, given that three of their top prospects – Jesus Luzardo, A.J. Puk, and Sean Murphy – are expected to play a key part in the A’s fortunes for 2020. That is, if the season actually begins.

Even if that does not happen, the A’s are still in great shape for the future, both in the immediate and the long term. With several other intriguing pitching prospects, and solid prospect depth, the A’s farm system is still to be envied, even if it is not what it once was.

Let us take a look at the top ten prospects for the Oakland A’s, some of whom could make their major league debut sometime this season.

10. Greg Deichmann

If Greg Deichmann could stay healthy, he would be a lot higher on the list of Oakland A’s top prospects.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case. After an impressive final two years at Louisiana State University and a strong beginning to his professional career, injuries have plagued the young slugger. He has appeared in a total of 138 games between 2018 and 2019.

His showing in the Arizona Fall League was worthy of notice. Deichmann led the league with nine homers, his tantalizing power fully evident. It is that power that is his greatest calling card, although the other aspects of his hit tool have begun to catch up. Due to his injuries, he worked more on flexibility than adding more strength, which has allowed his stiff swing to become more fluid. Deichmann had been able to stay on the ball better, driving the ball with authority rather than relying on his strength.

Defensively, his future home seems set in right field, where his strong arm would be a true asset. However, he does have the speed to play elsewhere, and has spent time in center and left as well. He has also seen limited action at first, which could be his eventual position as he gets older.

Had the 2020 minor league season taken place, Greg Deichmann would have been a fascinating player to watch. Instead, that progress will come on the Oakland A’s 60 man roster, which could lead to a debut this year.

9. James Kaprielian

Despite injuries keeping him away from the mound for two seasons, James Kaprielian remains an intriguing prospect for the Oakland A’s.

His has been a star crossed career, as he made a total of eight minor league appearances in his first two seasons. Following an impressive seven game stint in the Arizona Fall League, he missed the next two seasons due to Tommy John surgery and a myriad of setbacks.

Finally back on the mound in 2019, he performed well in his limited action. The A’s understandably looked to protect their prospect, as he pitched just 68 innings over 19 appearances. However, he posted a 3.18 ERA and a 1.103 WHiP, striking out 75 batters with just 16 walks in that time, re-establishing himself as a prospect to watch.

Although he is already 25 years old, Kaprielian has the type of arsenal that could lead to a major league debut before long. His fastball velocity is not where it had been prior to surgery, but he has four pitches considered major league caliber. His slider, curve, and change have all been able to get outs, giving Kaprielian an impressive foundation to build upon.

If James Kaprielian can stay healthy, he could be a big part of the Oakland A’s future. However, at this point, that is a big if.

8. Tyler Soderstrom

The Oakland A’s already have a solid group of young catchers. They added to that mix by selecting Tyler Soderstrom with the 26th overall selection of the 2020 MLB Draft.

Soderstrom was considered not just the best catching prospect in the draft, but he was also considered one of the top hitters as well. This was lofty praise considering that he was drafted out of high school and was not even the primary catcher on his team.

Yet, he has displayed plenty of intrigue behind the dish. Soderstrom is considered to be a solid receiver with a plus arm, although he is very raw in other defensive aspects. He is also quite athletic, which not only helps him behind the plate, but could also lead to a change in position in the future.

Offensively, the left handed hitting catcher is considered to have a polished approach, working the count and showing command of the strike zone. He has displayed more of a line drive oriented swing to this point, consistently making hard contact and showing an innate ability to put the barrel of the bat on the ball. His excellent speed is a plus for a catcher, and could also play a factor in whether or not he changes positions in the future.

The Oakland A’s abundance of riches at the catcher position continues with Tyler Soderstrom. The only question is whether or not he will remain at the position going forward.

6. Austin Beck

Austin Beck has the tools to be a key part of the Oakland A’s future. It is just a matter of whether or not he can put them all together.

There are certainly signs that he can. He has displayed signs of being able to tap into his power potential and his speed, belting 22 doubles and eight homers in 367 plate appearances in the California League. He also struck out 126 times as his strikeout rate spiked to 34.6%

Those numbers essentially illustrate Beck’s scouting report to a T. He has tremendous raw power with excellent bat speed and reflexes. His speed is an asset as well, although he has yet to see that result in steals. There is a lot to like about Beck.

There is also a lot to be concerned with. He struggles against breaking balls and with pitch recognition. His raw power still has not consistently appeared during games. And that uptick in strikeouts is a major red flag.

But those tools… If Austin Beck can ever put everything together, he could be a star. If that fails to happen, he will be a career minor leaguer for the Oakland A’s.

5. Daulton Jefferies

It has taken longer than the Oakland A’s would like to see what they have in Daulton Jefferies, but he could be well worth the wait.

Jefferies is not a pitcher that is going to wow anyone with his pure stuff. His fastball sits in the lower 90s, but has been clocked as high as 94 MPH when he has needed a little extra. Jefferies has an excellent changeup, which has excellent fading and sinking action. He also has some sort of a breaking ball, although it lacks consistency and he keeps experimenting with different grips.

While his arsenal is not considered impressive, it is augmented by his incredible command. Over his 64 innings last season, he issued just seven walks while striking out 72 batters. This was not a matter of finding too much of the plate either, as Jefferies allowed just 63 hits on the season.

In theory, a pitcher like Jefferies profiles as a back of the rotation option, given his less than impressive stuff and reliance upon his command. Yet, those pitchers can surprise – just look at the likes of Kyle Hendricks in Chicago. If Jefferies can stay healthy, which is a major question mark, he could end up surprising as well.

If Daulton Jefferies can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a major part of the Oakland A’s future. But that has been the question throughout his professional career.

4. A.J. Puk

A.J. Puk has the potential to be one of the best left handed starters in a long time, but he needs to harness his command first.

Puk absolutely looks the part of a left handed power pitcher. Standing at 6’7″ and weighing 238 pounds, he is a fearsome sight on the mound. With his long hair, high octane fastball, and occasional lapses in command, Puk is truly intimidating.

The stuff is there for Puk to be a top of the rotation starter. His fastball sits in the upper 90s, and can reach 100 MPH, even in later innings. He has a devastating slider and a tremendous changeup, both of which generate plenty of swings and misses. Add in a solid curve, and he has an impressive arsenal at his command.

The problem is that command. While it showed improvement prior to his necessitating Tommy Joh surgery, he still had bouts of wildness, with five walks in his 11.1 innings at the major league level. That command could be the difference between Puk living up to his potential and becoming an ace, or a middle of the rotation arm. At worst, that command could force him into being a devastating reliever, but his arsenal makes that highly unlikely.

If A.J. Puk can figure out his command, he could be a star. That will be the key in what the Oakland A’s have in their impressive lefty.

3. Robert Pauson

Robert Pauson has yet to actually play a single professional inning, but there is already so much to love about his future.

Signed to a $5.1 million bonus on July 2, Pauson spent the rest of 2019 in Arizona, working with the A’s in their instructional program. He has the potential to be a five tool player, his wiry frame already possessing respectable pop that should only improve as he matures physically.A switch hitter, he shows a knack for putting the barrel on the ball from both sides of the plate, spraying line drives around the diamond.

Defensively, he is lauded for his range and instincts. There is zero question about his ability to remain at short, where his strong arm and impressive fielding will be all the more important.

The A’s certainly feel that the sky is the limit with Pauson. He was a surprise addition to their 60 man roster, even though it is highly improbable that he sees major league action this year. Instead, this will be a test for the youngster, and give the A’s a chance to see what he can do against advanced competition. In fact, this could expedite his development, and get him to the majors even sooner.

Robert Pauson is the future for the Oakland A’s. That future could happen even sooner than expected.

2. Sean Murphy

It did not take long for Sean Murphy to establish himself as one of the top young catchers to watch in the majors.

In just 18 games behind the plate, he uncorked the fourth hardest throw from a catcher last year, showcasing an arm that is already one of the strongest of any position player in the game. His glovework has always been lauded, with excellent footwork and impressive receiving and framing skills. Murphy could be a future Gold Glover at the position.

Offensively, he took a major step forward in the power department last year. He has a short swing and excellent contact skills, so that pop could continue going forward. Murphy also does an excellent job at making contact, limiting his strikeouts and drawing walks at a respectable clip.

It would not be a surprise if Murphy took a step back from his impressive debut in 2019. Offensive tends to develop later in catchers after all, and his defensive acumen will ensure that he remains behind the plate. Nonetheless, he remains one of the top catching prospects in the game, the type of player that could be a cornerstone for the Oakland A’s moving forward.

The time is now for Sean Murphy. He will be a key part of the Oakland A’s for the foreseeable future.

1. Jesus Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo pitched at four different levels last season, making just 17 appearances due to injury. However, no matter where he was, the Oakland A’s prospect dominated the competition.

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Not only is Luzardo the top prospect on the A’s, but he is also considered to be one of the top two left handed pitching prospects in the game, with the honor between he and McKenzie Gore. But considering that Luzardo has pitched in the majors and upper levels of the minors, he may have tipped the scale to his advantage.

It is easy to see why that would be the case. He has an excellent four pitch arsenal, with a fastball sitting in the mid 90s and reaching as high as 97 MPH. Luzardo pairs that with an equally plus change, a fading and sinking offering that plays well with his sinking fastball. His breaking stuff is a mystery even to observers, with there being questions as to whether or not it is one or two pitches, but whatever the pitch(es), they are quite effective.

Even more impressively, Luzardo has displayed an ability to command his stuff on both sides of the plate. He has not been afraid to challenge the opposition, his competitive nature belied by a completely calm demeanor on the mound. Luzardo has all the makings of a staff ace, a position he could ascend to by the end of this season.

Jesus Luzardo could be the next dominant ace for the Oakland A’s. If last season was any indication, he is ready to devastate the major league level.