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Oakland A’s add third player to MLB top 100 prospect list

By David Hill

AMARILLO, TEXAS - APRIL 08: Infielder Zack Gelof #18 of the Midland RockHounds high fives manager Bobby Crosby #7 after hitting a home run during the game against the Amarillo Sod Poodles at HODGETOWN Stadium on April 08, 2022 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
AMARILLO, TEXAS - APRIL 08: Infielder Zack Gelof #18 of the Midland RockHounds high fives manager Bobby Crosby #7 after hitting a home run during the game against the Amarillo Sod Poodles at HODGETOWN Stadium on April 08, 2022 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s top prospects have had a bit of a shakeup over the past few months. With an influx of talent due to various trades, the A’s have seen a great deal of improvement in their farm system. Add in hot starts for a few players, and it is not a surprise that the A’s top prospect list may look a little different.

That is the case at MLB.com. An updated top 100 prospect list was released on Monday, with some notable changes for the A’s. Not only has Shea Langeliers passed Tyler Soderstrom as their top prospect, but Zack Gelof has joined the ranks as the A’s third top 100 prospect for 2022.

Oakland A’s influx of talent being recognized

It is not a surprise that Langeliers has rocketed up the rankings. He has been one of the biggest surprises in the A’s system, showing far more offensive potential than could have been expected. Langeliers has produced a .271/.364/.549 batting line in his 165 plate appearances entering Monday, hitting 11 homers and seven doubles. He has gone from a glove first backup with some pop to someone that could be a star behind the plate.

Soderstrom, meanwhile, has lost his place as the A’s top prospect. While Langeliers had started off the 2022 season white hot, Soderstrom was ice cold as he acclimated to High-A. He has begun to rebound from that slow start; however, his .200/.266/.414 batting line in his 154 plate appearances entering Monday is a disappointment. On the positive side, the power is still there as he has seven homers and seven doubles.

It was a matter of time before Gelof joined this duo. He hit the ground running after being a second round selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, even getting a three game stint in Triple-A last year. It may not be too long until he returns to that level as he has performed well in Double-A, producing a .319/.374/.465 batting line with four homers, nine doubles, and eight steals in his 171 plate appearances. He is also spending time at second which could accelerate his timeline to joining the major league roster.

Next. A's first round issues impacting rebuild. dark

The Oakland A’s have improved their minor league depth. That talent is being recognized as their prospects are moving up the rankings.