Several intriguing Oakland A’s minor leaguers declare free agency

The Oakland A’s could see a great deal of change in their organizational depth in 2023.

A total of 21 minor leaguers with the A’s elected to enter free agency on Tuesday. While most of these players are likely depth pieces and destined for Triple-A as an in case of emergency option, there are several intriguing potential losses.

Oakland A’s could lose intriguing depth options

Let’s begin by looking at the pitching side. Brent Honeywell Jr. was a consensus top 100 prospect from 2016 through 2019 before injuries ruined his career. He was finally able to make his major league debut in 2021 before being acquired by the A’s during the offseason, but injuries kept him from making an impact again this year. However, he will be 28 years old to begin the 2023 campaign, and with his prospect pedigree and stuff, he is certainly worth a look if he can stay healthy.

Wandisson Charles had appeared at the edges of A’s top prospects lists in the past. Armed with a high octane fastball, wipeout slider, and questionable control, he was the type of pitcher that could be a factor in the back of a bullpen if he could harness his stuff. That was not the case last year as, after missing two seasons due to the pandemic and injury, Charles walked nearly ten batters per nine innings and was outrighted off the 40 man roster.

Sam Selman saw action with the A’s last season, getting into 16 games as he shuffled between Triple-A and Oakland. He posted a 4.91 ERA and a 1.145 WHiP over his 18.1 major league innings, striking out 18 batters with five walks. As a lefty with the ability to strike out nearly a batter per inning, he will attract plenty of interest.

Sheldon Neuse had received the most major league action of his career in 2022 but did not do much with that opportunity. He posted a .214/.273/.288 batting line in his 293 plate appearances, hitting four homers and four doubles. Neuse can play around the infield and has a much better track record in Triple-A, so he should be able to latch on somewhere as a depth option or potentially as a utility infielder.

Skye Bolt rounds out the five most interesting players that the declared for free agency. He is another player that the A’s had high hopes for given his all around game in the minors and ability to play anywhere in the outfield. While his minor league production has been strong, he also has not had that success at the major league level during his brief chances over three seasons. Bolt still has the type of potential to intrigue, making it likely that he will find an opportunity elsewhere.

The Oakland A’s saw 21 players declare for minor league free agency on Tuesday. A few very intriguing players could be heading elsewhere.