Now that the minor league season is over, top prospect lists are starting to be updated with the end of the year rankings. Fangraphs updated theirs on Friday, with the Oakland A’s having a solid showing.
That new list did have several A’s players prominently featured. Four Oakland prospects cracked the top 100, with Tyler Soderstrom leading the way as the 43rd best prospect in the minors. Shea Langeliers, Ken Waldichuk, and Luis Medina rounded out the A’s prospects in the top 100.
Fangraphs names four Oakland A’s prospects to top 100 list
It should not be a surprise that Soderstrom leads the way. He has been one of the A’stop prospects since he was drafted, a bat first high school catcher with raw defense, but an uncanny ability to hit. With the A’s having plenty of prospects at catcher, it would not be a surprise if he shifted to first on a full basis in the near future to get his bat to the majors.
Langeliers would be part of the reason for that position change as well. He is an excellent defensive catcher with all of the intangibles one looks for behind the plate, a true leader who can guide a pitching staff. Add in his impressive power and improving hit tool, and Langeliers could be the long term answer behind the plate.
Waldichuk is a piece that the A’s had desperately needed. He essentially turned himself into a top prospect, working to improve his arsenal while adding velocity. His impressive work ethic showed in his results at every stop in the minors and it is seemingly a matter of time before he emerges as a top of the rotation arm in Oakland.
Medina is the surprising addition to this list. Another part of the return for Frankie Montas, he has an impressive fastball that hits triple digits, a plus curve, and a potentially plus changeup. The problem is that there are times when he has no idea where any of those pitches are going. His command issues give Medina considerable reliever risk, but he has the upside of another top of the rotation arm.
The A’s are going to need these players to come through if they are going to emerge from their rebuilding process. They need help in every facet of the game, especially in the lineup. If Fangraphs is correct, then the A’s could be in a decent spot in the somewhat near future.
The Oakland A’s have four players on the Fangraphs end of the year top 100 prospects. They need those players to pan out if they are going to emerge from their rebuild.