Oakland A’s: Lazaro Armenteros’ final chance

Lazaro Armenteros was supposed to be the next great Cuban import for the Oakland A’s. He was considered a toolsy prospect with solid power and speed, the type of player that can intrigue and become a star if everything comes together. There were questions about his overall hit tool, but the thought was that with proper coaching, he could unlock his potential.

Five years into his professional career, and that scouting report is the same. His tools have flashed at times over the years, but his hit tool remains questionable. The sheer amount of swing and miss in his game has stalled his ascent through the A’s system, to the point where he was sent back to Low-A to start the 2021 season.

Lazaro Armenteros may be on final chance with Oakland A’s

It is understandable as to why the A’s would have demoted Armenteros. He completely bombed in his time at High-A in 2019, posting a .222/.336/.403 batting line in his 538 plate appearances. Although he did hit 17 homers and stole 22 bases, he also struck out an incredible 227 times.

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This may be his last chance to make a positive impression. Armenteros is now 22 years old, relatively old for his level of the minors. He has to show that he can do more than crush fastballs now – he has to be able to make those adjustments, recognize and hit breaking pitches, and start to put things together.

Armenteros has gotten off to a respectable start in Stockton, with six hits and five steals in his first four games, showing those flashes again. But he has also struck out seven times in his 18 pleate appearances. Once again, with the good comes the bad, and in Armenteros’ case, the two cannot be separated.

His performance through the first month or two of the Low-A West will be telling. If he can cut down on his strikeout rate, and those flashes become more frequent, he may be promoted to High-A once again. If not, and he remains the intriguing but inconsistent player that he has been, one has to wonder how much patience the A’s will have.

The Oakland A’s have sent Lazaro Armenteros to Low-A Stockton to begin the 2021 season. This may be his last chance to prove himself to the organization.