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Zack Gelof may be moving up Oakland A’s timeline

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 expectation was that Oakland A’s prospect Zack Gelof would spend part of 2023 in Triple-A before making his major league debut. That may no longer be the case.

Gelof has all of seven games in Triple-A this season heading into Thursday. That is all he has needed to showcase his power potential as he has belted five homers in just 29 plate appearances.

Zack Gelof showing that he is ready for Oakland A’s

He had rocketed through the system to make his Triple-A debut last season as well. Gelof was able to get into three games in Las Vegas, notching seven hits, including a double, in his 13 plate appearances. He was able to drive in six runs, serving notice that he may be a better prospect than anyone had realized.

That continued this season. Injuries were the only thing to slow him down at Double-A as he posted a strong .271/.356/.438 batting line in his 402 plate appearances, hitting 13 homers and 16 doubles while stealing nine bases. While he did strike out 110 times, he also drew 47 walks as he showed a willingness to wait for his pitch.

His performance puts the A’s in a difficult situation heading into next year. Gelof was likely to begin the season in Las Vegas before coming up at some point in the middle of the season, getting time to prove that his stellar showing in Triple-A is far more than a small sample size. Likewise, keeping Gelof in the minors for a couple of months would have pushed his arbitration clock back, giving the A’s an additional year of team control.

At the same time, the A’s need to see what they have for major league capable players. They do have an opening at the hot corner where Kevin Smith is looking more and more like a Quad-A player. Gelof has also gotten work at second and could be an answer there as well. The A’s need to find major league options and Gelof could force their hand.

Next. Miller may be closer than he knows. dark

Zack Gelof has been on an impressive power surge since heading to Triple-A. He could force the Oakland A’s into bringing him up sooner than expected.