Oakland A’s hoping Michael Guldberg can just stay healthy

Michael Guldberg has the potential to be an intriguing prospect for the Oakland A’s.

There is no question that he possesses some of the skills necessary to become a viable major league option. Guldberg has an innate ability to make contact and strong plate coverage. While he is aggressive at the plate, it has not led to elevated strike out rates and he will draw a walk. Combine those contact skills with his plus speed and strong glove in the outfield, and Guldberg has the potential to serve as a fourth outfielder at worst.

Oakland A’s hoping Michael Guldberg can find another level

The problem is that Guldberg cannot stay on the diamond. He has missed significant time in each of the past two seasons due to injury, limiting him to a total of 100 minor league games. At this point, it is a matter of his being able to stay healthy so that he can continue to improve.

For Guldberg, that involves driving the ball more. He has not hit for much power at all in his professional career, producing a .277/.353/.331 batting line with seven doubles and a triple in his 191 plate appearances in Double-A last season. His ability to make contact is impressive, but it does not matter if he is not hitting the ball with authority.

It all comes back to his health. Guldberg has all of the raw tools to be a useful piece at the major league level, even if his lack of pop indicates that he is most likely to serve as a fourth outfielder, slotting into each spot. However, if he can make those adjustments to drive the ball with authority, it is possible that he can become a better prospect then expected.

Michael Guldberg has the tools to be an interesting prospect for the Oakland A’s. He just needs to stay healthy to reach that next level.