3 biggest surprises in Oakland A’s farm system
By David Hill
The Oakland A’s future rests upon its farm system. While this has been true over the years, that is especially the case now. With the rebuild firmly underway, and the A’s looking to contend a couple of years down the line, potentially identifying those parts for the future core in the minors can make a difference.
Although the minor league season has completed its first month, the A’s have several players that have stood out. In some cases, this first month has been a coming out party. For others, it has been a matter of showing that those performances in 2021 were not a fluke.
Three prospects impressing in Oakland A’s system
This is the perfect time for players to impress in the Oakland A’s farm system. Let’s look at three prospects who are doing just that.
Shea Langeliers
It was not that long ago that Shea Langeliers received his own write-up. He had started off the season on fire, showing that his solid 2021 campaign could have been that offensive breakout prospect hounds were waiting for.
His performance in 2022 is showing that last season may have been the tip of the iceberg. Langeliers is crushing the ball thus far in Triple-A, having produced a .301/.407/.712 batting line with nine homers in his 86 plate appearances. He has also been solid defensively, throwing out 32% of would-be basestealers thus far.
Langeliers’ production puts the A’s in a difficult, albeit solid, position. Sean Murphy is currently their primary catcher, with his ability to hit the ball hard and Gold Glove defense both assets. Tyler Soderstrom is considered the catcher of the future, someone whose bat could push him through the system quickly.
But Langeliers is forcing his way into that future conversation as more than a glove first backup. His power has continued to develop and he is showing a better approach at the plate. As Murphy has already been floated in trade rumors, and there have been concerns that Soderstrom could move from behind the plate, Langeliers could find himself in a position to be a major part of the A’s future.
He is certainly doing his part to prove himself thus far. Shea Langeliers’ hot start is forcing a change in how the Oakland A’s catcher situation is viewed.