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Oakland A’s: Waiting for Robert Puason to debut

By David Hill

MESA, AZ - February 29: Robert Puason of the Oakland Athletics stands in the dugout prior to the game against the Cleveland Indians at Hohokam Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ - February 29: Robert Puason of the Oakland Athletics stands in the dugout prior to the game against the Cleveland Indians at Hohokam Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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Hopefully, in 2021, the Oakland A’s will get a chance to finally see what they have in Robert Puason.

Back in July 2019, the Oakland A’s once again made a major splash in the international market. They had inked one of the top international prospects, Robert Puason, to a $5.1 million signing bonus. The Dominican shortstop was considered one of the top prospects in baseball, a player to watch once the 2020 minor league season got underway.

The real world had other plans. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the minor league season was canceled. Puason was included on the 60 man roster and was able to get his reps at the A’s alternate site, but that is not the same as having that competitive game action.

That time is hopefully coming. As the pandemic continues, the upcoming minor league season is going to be in question. Ideally, teams will be able to have something that resembles a normal slate of action for their prospects. But that is not a given.

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It is also understandable that the A’s would want to see Puason on the diamond as quickly as possible. He is currently ranked as the A’s second best prospect, with scouts having compared him to the late Tony Fernandez.

Puason intrigues due to his wiry frame, which is expected to add even more strength as he matures. He is considered to have a smooth stroke from both sides of the plate, with an innate feel for putting the barrel of the bat on the ball and hit to all fields. Defensively, he is lauded for his range and instincts on the diamond, as he looks the part of a natural shortstop, a player who will handle the position for years to come.

But he still needs to show it in games. A solid showing in the A’s summer camp helps to make one feel even better about his future, but that can only go so far. Puason will eventually need to prove himself against actual competition, which will hopefully happen in 2021.

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Robert Puason will eventually make his debut. The Oakland A’s are certainly looking forward to seeing what they have in the young shortstop.