The Oakland A’s farm system is not what it had been in years past. With the likes of Jesus Luzardo and Sean Murphy graduating to the majors, the A’s system was due to take a hit in the rankings. Likewise, the continued injury woes of A.J. Puk, and with top prospects Tyler Soderstrom and Robert Puason yet to make their debuts, the A’s are not exactly the darlings of prospect aficionados.
That has reflected in the rankings as well. The A’s farm system has been ranked 26th by MLB.com, falling nine spots from their midseason rankings in 2020.
Oakland A’s farm system ranking inevitable
Such a ranking was inevitable. The A’s were the only team not to have a prospect land amongst MLB.com’s top 100 prospects heading into the 2021 season. Even their top prospects seemingly have more questions than answers.
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However, that does not mean that the A’s farm system is devoid of talent. Puk was a consensus top 100 prospect for four consecutive years before his ongoing injury woes caused him to fall off the list. Soderstrom is one of the top catching prospects in the game and impressed during spring training. Puason has fallen down the A’s rankings as well, but that is more a matter Nick Allen and Logan Davidson being closer to the majors than anything he has done.
It will be Puason and Soderstrom who the A’s hope will lead the next wave of prospects on the offensive side. Jeff Criswell, the A’s eighth ranked prospect, has the type of arsenal that could make him one of the more exciting pitching prospects in the game in the next few years. The cupboard certainly is not barren.
Likewise, it is important to note that there were other teams ranked behind the A’s as well. Four other teams ranked worse than the A’s, but may not have the same hopes for the 2021 season. The A’s would certainly trade a lower ranked farm system for a return trip to the postseason.
The Oakland A’s farm system has fallen down the rankings this year. While that is to be expected, it is not likely to last for long.