The key to being able to rebuild a roster is to have viable options in the minor leagues. This means that, as teams rebuild, they need to have the talent waiting in the wings in the minors to take that step up to the majors and produce.
That is also something that the Oakland A’s just did not have. While there are a few players in the upper levels of the minors that will make an impact on the major league club, the A’s farm system has been lacking in top tier talent. As the A’s have dismantled their roster, that is something they are looking to add.
Oakland A’s have two top 100 prospects per MLB.com
Their efforts have resulted in an extra top 100 prospect. According to MLB.com, the A’s now have top 100 prospects in their system – catchers Tyler Soderstrom (56) and Shea Langeliers (59).
The A’s can take credit for Soderstrom at least. While there has been some question about his future defensive home, that may no longer be the case given the strides he has made behind the plate. His bat is not a question however, as he has an inherent knack for barreling the ball and making strong contact to all fields.
Langeliers was part of the package that sent Matt Olson to Atlanta. In some ways, he is the opposite of Soderstrom – a strong defensive catcher who is considered a future Gold Glove winner who needs work at the plate. He has plenty of raw power and has been able to tap into that during game action, but has a good amount of swing and miss in his game and can get fooled at the plate.
Nonetheless, the A’s are in a somewhat enviable spot. Not many teams can boast a pair of top 100 prospects behind the plate. This potentially gives Oakland the opportunity to part with one of those players to improve other areas of the organization or to move Soderstrom to first should Langeliers hit enough to make such a position change worthwhile.
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The Oakland A’s have been able to add some talent to their farm system recently. They now have two players in the MLB.com top 100 prospects.