White Cleat Beat
Fansided

Oakland A’s Prospects of the Year for 2021

By David Hill

(6/4/21) Stockton Ports' Tyler Soderstrom hits a pop fly during a California League baseball game against the Lake Elsinore Storm at the Stockton Ballpark in downtown Stockton.Portsvsstorm 056a
(6/4/21) Stockton Ports' Tyler Soderstrom hits a pop fly during a California League baseball game against the Lake Elsinore Storm at the Stockton Ballpark in downtown Stockton.Portsvsstorm 056a /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Oakland A’s, perhaps more than any other team, rely upon their minor leagues in order to contend. However, due to players leaving in free agency, injuries in their minor leagues, and promotions to Oakland, the farm system is not what it once was. They are considered to have just one top 100 prospect in their minors in catcher Tyler Soderstrom.

But this does not mean that the A’s farm system is devoid of talent. There are players other than Soderstrom who have been able to impress over the 2021 season, and other prospects who are likely to be important contributors to the major league roster next year. Although other players may be a few years away, the future of the farm system is still bright.

The Oakland A’s Prospects of the Year for 2021

On Thursday, MLB.com announced their Prospects of the Year for each organization. While some of the players are those that one would expect, there are quite a few hidden gems on that list. The A’s fit that description, with the obvious pick in Soderstrom amongst the hitters, and the overlooked Colin Peluse on the pitching side.

Injuries were the only thing stopping Soderstrom this season. He appeared in just 57 games, but was a force with the bat when he was in the lineup. He produced an excellent .306/.390/.568 batting line in his 254 plate appearances, hitting 12 homers and 20 doubles for the Stockton Ports. Soderstrom is assured of a promotion to High-A next season, and if healthy, could move up the A’s ladder quickly.

Peluse had a breakout season for the A’s. A ninth round draft pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, he impressed during his first full season in professional ball. Splitting time between the Lansing Lugnuts and the Midland RockHounds, he produced a solid 3.39 ERA and a 1.158 WHiP in his 101 innings, striking out 109 batters with 26 walks. He is likely to begin the 2022 campaign in Double-A, but a promotion to Triple-A would not be out of the question with a strong start to the season.

As the A’s continue to build from within, it is possible that both players will end up with important roles on the major league franchise. While there are questions as to where Soderstrom will end up defensively, his bat has the potential to make an impact. If Peluse can continue to make strides with his command, he could be a part of the A’s rotation in the coming years. The future, at least in these cases, is still bright.

Next. A swansong for the 2021 Oakland A's. dark

Tyler Soderstrom and Colin Peluse were named as the Oakland A’s Prospects of the Year. Both players certainly deserved that honor.