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Tyler Soderstrom still considered Oakland A’s best hitting prospect

By David Hill

DENVER, CO - JULY 11: Tyler Soderstrom #28 of American League Futures Team bats against the National League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 11: Tyler Soderstrom #28 of American League Futures Team bats against the National League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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The 2022 season has not been kind to Tyler Soderstrom thus far. After an impressive, albeit injury plagued, debut for the Stockton Ports, the Oakland A’s top prospect was expected to hit the ground running in Lansing. As he had hit all through high school and has impressed with the bat since being drafted, the same was expected with his foray to High-A.

That has not been the case. Soderstrom is running into adversity with the Lugnuts, having produced a disappointing .156/.224/.338 batting line in his 85 plate appearances entering Friday, having his three homers and five doubles while striking out 25 times.

Tyler Soderstrom still has bright future ahead

One could understand if Soderstrom’s prospect light had dimmed ever so slightly over the first month. Instead, the future is just as bright for the consensus top 100 prospect. MLB.com is still viewing him as the A’s best hitting prospect, noting that his small sample size to start the season is nothing to worry about.

It is not much of a surprise that Soderstrom would run into adversity at some point. At 20 years old, he is extremely young for the level, especially as he is still learning the nuances of the catcher position. As much as the A’s may have hoped that they could send Soderstrom rocketing up the ladder, his performance this season is a reminder that they will need to exercise patience.

The tools are easily still there. He still has the quick swing and a patient approach at the plate, waiting for pitches to drive and destroying mistakes with his impressive power. It is now a matter of refining those tools and getting Soderstrom to be a bit more aggressive at the plate.

Those adjustments are going to come. Soderstrom has displayed an ability to make hard contact in Stockton and there is no reason to expect otherwise as he continues to ascend through the organization. Regardless of whether or not he stays behind the plate, Soderstrom has the type of bat that should make an impact.

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Tyler Soderstrom is off to a slow start with the Lansing Lugnuts, but his future remains bright. MLB.com still considers him the Oakland A’s best hitting prospect.