Oakland A’s top 10 prospects for 2022
The Oakland A’s have relied upon their farm system for years in order to remain competitive. It is part of their cycle – they trade players to restock the farm system, hope their drafts and international prospects pan out, and look to remain competitive throughout. It is the A’s Way.
The problem is that the farm system is not what it once was. Those once top prospects have not panned out as hoped for. What talent there was in the minors has moved up to the major league level, leaving the A’s farm system to be a shadow of what it had been.
Top 10 prospects for the Oakland A’s
That does not mean that the A’s are devoid of talent in the minors. They have several intriguing players that could make a difference at the major league level in the next few years. And, if those former top prospects can return to form, the A’s system will suddenly look much better.
We begin our look at the top ten prospects for the A’s with a pair of disappointments.
10. Logan Davidson
Logan Davidson is in danger of losing his place as a piece of the Oakland A’s future. He may have the type of profile that a team can dream of as he can play anywhere on the infield while showing power and patience at the plate, but at some point, he will need to produce. His .212/.307/.313 batting line in 515 plate appearances, with just seven homers and 22 doubles, was a major disappointment.
The A’s had their hand forced with Davidson due to the lost 2020 season, slotting him at Double-A when he clearly was not ready. He is likely to start the 2022 season there as well and will need to show a drastic improvement. If that does not happen, his future role will be in doubt.
9. A.J. Puk
The fact that A.J. Puk is still on this list is a disappointment. A consensus top 100 prospect from 2017 through 2020, injuries have pushed his timeline back and made it unlikely that he will ever be the top of the rotation arm he was projected to be. Puk has struggled in his brief time in the majors as well, posting a 4.74 ERA and a 1.581 WHiP over his 24.2 innings, striking out 29 batters while issuing 11 walks.
The stuff is still there. Puk still has that power fastball and devastating slider. His command issues always made a conversion to the bullpen likely. Now, his inability to stay healthy has made that his future. Puk can still make an impact for the Oakland A’s as a high leverage reliever, but he needs to get on the mound in order for that to happen.
8. Jordan Diaz
Jordan Diaz has always been able to make contact and has an excellent glove at third. The question was whether or not he would actually hit enough to be a future starter at the major league level. He started to answer that question with a strong showing at High-A last year, posting a solid .288/.337/.483 batting line in his 365 plate appearances, hitting a career best 13 homers and 24 doubles.
His free swinging ways and limited range at third currently limit his potential. While Diaz gets around his range issues with an impressive ability to position himself, he will need to improve his plate discipline to take that next step in his development. Otherwise, he could be exposed at the higher levels.
7. Jeff Criswell
Jeff Criswell is difficult to project based on his professional showing. A second round draft pick in 2020, his professional debut was delayed due to the pandemic and he missed a large chunk of the 2021 campaign with elbow inflammation. When he did pitch, he allowed six runs on nine hits and four walks over 12 innings, striking out 12 batters.
His biggest question has been his command, as he walked 4.3 batters per nine in college. If he can throw more strikes, Criswell has a three pitch arsenal that should allow him to be a solid middle of the rotation starter. But that is the question he will need to answer in the coming years, provided his elbow issues do not turn into anything worse.
6. Colin Peluse
Colin Peluse was a relatively anonymous prospect heading into the 2021 season. He then exploded up the prospect rankings due to a breakout showing last year. Peluse put together an impressive 3.39 ERA and a 1.158 WHiP in his 101 innings across two levels, striking out 109 batters with just 26 walks.
Armed with a plus fastball and slider, the development of his changeup will determine his future. He has a tendency to slow his arm action down when throwing the change, something that could be problematic at the higher levels. If he can fix that arm action, Peluse profiles as a possible second starter. Otherwise, he could be a key part of the Oakland A’s bullpen.
5. Pedro Pineda
It did not take long for Pedro Pineda to come stateside. One of the top international signees in the 2020-21 class, he spent ten games in the Dominican Summer League before heading to Arizona. Between the two levels, he produced a .237/.368/.361 batting line in his 117 plate appearances with seven extra base hits and six steals.
Pineda has an excellent approach at the plate and tremendous bat speed, but can have some swing and miss issues as he tries too hard to hit homers. He has excellent speed and a strong arm, allowing him to play all three outfield positions. Pineda is going to be a fascinating prospect to watch, especially as he continues to refine his impressive raw tools.
4. Max Muncy
Two players named Max Muncy have played professional ball. Both were born on the same day, albeit years apart and both were drafted by the Oakland A’s. This one, the 25th overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, will hopefully make an impact while he is still a part of the organization.
Muncy only appeared in 11 games last year, leaving one to take his performance with a grain of salt. He projects to be more of a power than hit tool player, although it may take some time to tap into his raw power potential. Defensively, he is solid fundamentally, but may not stick at short, with a move to second or third expected down the line. He is still very raw at 18 years old, however, giving him plenty of time to grow into his tools.
3. Zack Gelof
A second round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Zack Gelof has already made his debut at Triple-A, appearing in three games at the highest level of the minors. He more than held his own there, with seven hits in 13 plate appearances, capping off an impressive professional debut. While he is likely to begin the 2022 season in Double-A, it may not be that surprising to see Gelof make his major league debut next year if he continues to hit as he did this past season.
Gelof may not have the perfect swing, but he hits the ball hard to all fields. He has plenty of power, especially pulling the ball, making it possible that he stays at third. The issue is that Gelof does not have the greatest arm, which could force him off the position. If that can improve, then he has a chance to be an impact player in the near future.
2. Nick Allen
Nick Allen has been ready for the majors defensively since he was drafted. The question was whether or not his bat would allow him to be anything more than a glove first utility player. He started to show more offense in 2019, a trend that continued last year. He answered that question by impressing in Double-A and during his time on the Team USA Olympic squad.
However, Allen struggled at his time in Triple-A to close out the year, making it likely that he will begin the season in the minors. He does make excellent contact, allowing him to use his plus speed to great effect. Allen has also put together far better numbers against lefties than he has against right handed pitching, something that could impact his future. If he can improve against righties, he could be a solid piece at the top of the Oakland A’s lineup in the not so distant future.
1. Tyler Soderstrom
The only player in the Oakland A’s system currently viewed as a top 100 prospect, Tyler Soderstrom is easily the jewel of the farm. The 26th overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, he hit the ground running in his first season of professional ball, producing an impressive .308/.390/.568 batting line in 254 plate appearances, hitting 12 homers and 20 doubles.
Soderstrom makes hard contact consistently with his ability to drive pitches to all fields. He stands out amongst other prospects offensively, making him a potential future star. The question is his defense as he is still extremely raw as a catcher. It had been thought that Soderstrom could move to either corner infield spot, or even the outfield, and he is athletic enough to handle such a change. If he continues to have issues defensively as the bat continues to make an impact, such a change could happen.
Next. Puk could have major role in 2022. dark
Is there a prospect you think we missed on or one that should be ranked higher? Let us know in the comments!