Oakland Athletics

TRACK RECORD: The A's invited three teenagers to their alternate training site: Tyler Soderstrom, their 2020 first-round pick; Robert Puason, their $5.1 million international signing in 2019; and Buelvas. Unlike his contemporaries, Buelvas arrived with considerably less pedigree after signing out of Colombia for just $100,000. But all he's done is impress since then, including posting a .300/.392/.506 line as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019.

SCOUTING REPORT: Buelvas does everything well despite lacking an obvious carrying tool. He's an instinctual player with an advanced approach for such a young hitter. Buelvas' 5-foot-11 frame has room for projection, although the A's don't envision much raw power. He has shown a penchant for finding the barrel and taking competitive at-bats against more experienced pitching. Buelvas' arm is average now, with a chance to reach above-average, and his speed gives him a shot to stick in center field. He didn't post gaudy statistics at either the alternate site or instructional league, but the A's love his passion for the game, work ethic and competitiveness.

THE FUTURE: The A's trust Buelvas' makeup enough to keep pitting him against older competition. Starting 2021 at low Class A isn't out of the question.

TRACK RECORD: The A's drafted Beck sixth overall in 2017, banking on his athleticism despite a torn ACL that wiped out his senior showcase summer. After a solid if unspectacular first full season in 2018 at low Class A Beloit, a quad injury limited him to 85 uneven games at high Class A Stockton in 2019. Beck was not invited to the alternate training site in 2020 but did accrue at-bats during the fall at instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Beck boasts impressive athleticism across the board, highlighted by his potential plus raw power, plus arm strength and plus speed, the latter of which allows him to play an above-average center field. Beck has lightning-fast hands at the plate, which can sometimes work against him when he struggles to keep his bat in the strike zone long enough to make contact. Beck made adjustments to his swing in search of more launch angle which, combined with subpar pitch recognition, led to a 34% strikeout rate with Stockton in 2019.

THE FUTURE: Beck hasn't lived up to his draft status, but he has consistently been young for his level and didn't have a long track record against top pitching as an amateur. He's in need of consistent at-bats after a lost 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Criswell's stuff intrigued teams as a high schooler, but most wanted to see him go to school and add strength. He immediately stepped in as a high-leverage reliever at Michigan as a freshman, helped the Wolverines to the College World Series as a sophomore and appeared as their No. 1 starter in the shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted Criswell in the second round in 2020 and signed him for a $1 million bonus. His father, Brian, was drafted by the A's in 1984 and reached Double-A.

SCOUTING REPORT: A physical righty with impressive arm strength, Criswell already has one of the loudest arsenals in the A's system. His fastball sat at 95 mph and touched 98 in instructional league. He throws both a power curveball and a slider that flash plus and pairs them with a changeup that has average potential. Criswell has long faced reliever concerns because of his effortful delivery and spotty control--he walked 4.5 batters per 9 innings in college--but the A's were impressed with his analytical aptitude, experience working with high-speed video and willingness to make changes to his delivery.

THE FUTURE: Criswell will need to hone in on his delivery to stay on a starter track. The A's intend to leave him in the rotation for now.

TRACK RECORD: The Padres signed Perez for $300,000 in 2017, banking on power potential once he filled out his 6-foot-1 frame. He showed that power as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019, batting .268/.349/.512 with 11 homers in 209 at-bats. The A's took notice and acquired Perez as the player to be named later in a trade for Jorge Mateo.

SCOUTING REPORT: Perez's ability to make adjustments in the Arizona League impressed the Padres. He stopped chasing as many pitches and did more damage as the year went on, posting a .283/.345/.572 line over his final 36 games while hitting 10 of his 11 homers. He will swing and miss, but not at a disqualifying level for a player his age. His physicality leaves room to dream on even more power to come. Defensively, Perez has experience at all three positions, but he is likely destined for a corner as he continues to mature and slow down.

THE FUTURE: Perez should reach low Class A at some point in 2021. He'll team with Brayan Buelvas to give the A's a pair of exciting young outfielders in Stockton's lineup.

TRACK RECORD: The Red Sox drafted Weems as a high school catcher in 2011. Five years later, after having posted a .568 OPS through 1,027 at-bats, Boston converted him to pitching. Weems stayed in the Red Sox system through 2019 and reached Triple-A Pawtucket before signing a minor league deal with the A's after the season. He made the A's bullpen out of summer camp and appeared in nine games, posting a 3.21 ERA.

SCOUTING REPORT: Strictly a reliever, Weems employs a fastball-heavy approach and throws it nearly two-thirds of the time. It's an above-average fastball that sits 95-96 mph with more rise than the average MLB fastball thrown at that velocity. He pairs it with an 86 mph changeup that gets swings and misses from lefthanded hitters and an 85-86 mph slider than handles righties. Weems hides the ball well, adding some deception, and you can't miss his Noah Syndergaard-esque long blonde hair. His control is belowaverage, but he throws enough strikes in the bullpen.

THE FUTURE: Depending on how the A's proceed with free agents Liam Hendriks, Joakim Soria and Yusmeiro Petit, Weems could be in line for high-leverage relief opportunities in 2021. He should be a solid middle reliever at the very least.

TRACK RECORD: The A's acquired Allen from the Padres after the 2019 season for Jurickson Profar and installed him as their backup catcher. Allen hit at least .280 with 20 homers every year from 2017-19 in the minors, but he struck out 14 times in 32 plate appearances with Oakland and was optioned to the alternate training site in August.

SCOUTING REPORT: A powerful slugging type dating back to his days at Division II Florida Tech, almost all of Allen's value is tied to his bat. He regularly gets to his lefthanded power, mostly to the pull side, and has solid timing and feel to hit. He's long been dogged by concerns over his defense--namely his mobility and game-calling --and projects as a below-average defender at best. His slow transfer and below-average arm lead opponents to run on him at will.

THE FUTURE: The addition of the 26th roster spot helps Allen, who can play first base in a pinch and provides lefthanded thump off the bench. He will again compete for a backup role behind Sean Murphy in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Oakland signed Diaz for $275,000 during the 2016 international signing period on the strength of his bat. He made his professional debut as a 16-year-old, slowly worked his way through the lower levels and posted a respectable .264/.307/.430 slash line as a teenager in the college-heavy New York-Penn League in 2019.

SCOUTING REPORT: Diaz has always possessed hitter-ish qualities dating back to his days as an amateur in Colombia. He has natural bat-to-ball skills and generates a ton of hard contact. He has a thicker build and is close to maxed out physically, inviting questions about both his power potential and ability to stick at third base, where he shows off an average arm but inconsistent footwork. The A's want to see Diaz improve his focus and approach, hoping he can turn in quality at-bats on a more consistent basis.

THE FUTURE: Diaz internally draws comparisons to Renato Nunez, another A's international signee who flourished into a power-hitting, everyday player with Baltimore. Diaz will still be just 20 years old in 2021 and should begin the year at low Class A.

TRACK RECORD: Holmes arrived in the A's system following a 2016 trade that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers. He missed almost all of 2018 with a right shoulder injury, but returned to Double-A Midland in 2019 and gained momentum as the season progressed. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site in San Jose.

SCOUTING REPORT: Stuff has never been an issue for Holmes. He attacks hitters with a heavy 92-94 mph fastball that generates plenty of ground balls and a power curveball that draws plus grades and is among the best in Oakland's system. He recently added a cutter and also throws a changeup, which are both at least average, and all of his stuff plays up in shorter outings. But hitters have a surprisingly easy time squaring Holmes up, leading the A's to tinker with his long-armed delivery and sequencing in the hopes of adding more deception. So far it's yielded mixed results. His control is fringe-average.

THE FUTURE: Holmes should start 2021 in the rotation at Triple-A. He could ultimately be better suited for a spot in Oakland's bullpen if he doesn't display better deception and command.

TRACK RECORD: Baum was a three-year starter at North Carolina before the A's made him a secondround pick in 2019 and signed him to a $900,000 bonus. He posted a 4.70 ERA over 30.2 innings for short-season Vermont after signing and was assigned to the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Baum was lights out his first week of the alternate site, running his fastball up to 96 mph and stymying older A's hitters. But his stuff faded over the duration of camp, leading the A's to wonder if he simply ran out of gas. When he's on, Baum features a 92-94 mph fastball with plenty of movement. His curveball has enough shape and tightness to project as a potential out-pitch, but it sometimes blends with his average slider. He also flashes an average changeup. Baum worked to cut his walk rate in college and carried those improvements over to pro ball, but he still has fringy control and his command remains a concern.

THE FUTURE: Baum is one of many A's pitching prospects toeing the starter vs. reliever line. The A's will look for him to iron out his velocity and command fluctuations in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: The A's drafted McCann (no relation to Brian) out of catching factory Georgia Tech in 2019, where he started behind the plate as a junior after spending his first two seasons at first base in deference to Joey Bart. McCann flashed plenty of power to go along with plenty of strikeouts in his pro debut with short-season Vermont in 2019. He was assigned to Oakland's alternate training site in 2020, where he was aided by the tutelage of veteran catcher Carlos Perez.

SCOUTING REPORT: The A's labeled McCann as one of their biggest risers at the alternate site, a welcome development after he struggled mightily in his pro debut. Massive all-fields power is McCann's calling card, albeit with limited contact. He has a tendency to get pull-happy at times and projects as no more than a below-average hitter. It was strides he made defensively that impressed the A's the most. He showed an increased attention to detail and a willingness to improve his blocking, mobility and receiving. Those developments lead the A's to believe he could still develop into an adequate defensive catcher. He also plays an average first base right now.

THE FUTURE: The 2021 season will be revealing for McCann. He still must prove he's the player the A's saw at the alternate site instead of the one who floundered in his pro debut.

TRACK RECORD: The A's drafted Guldberg, a favorite of area scout Jemel Spearman, in the third round of the shortened 2020 draft. Missed developmental time because of a 2018 shoulder injury and the 2020 coronavirus pandemic meant Guldberg had less track record than a typical college hitter, but he did rank second in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a .355 batting average as a sophomore. He was a top performer at instructional league before a minor leg injury shut him down.

SCOUTING REPORT: The A's believe Guldberg can stick in center field despite playing mostly left field in college. He's a quick-twitch, wiry athlete who pairs quality defensive instincts with his plus running ability. He has experience playing second base and the A's may eventually get him occasional reps there, too. Guldberg takes a contact-oriented approach to the plate from the right side and has impressive bat speed. He lacks physicality but the A's say he showed sneaky raw power in batting practice.

THE FUTURE: Guldberg fits the mold of a versatile utilityman. He'll make his pro debut in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Eierman surged up draft boards as a sophomore at Missouri State, but his power numbers dropped as a junior and led him to fall to the supplemental second round. Eierman's offensive regression has continued in pro ball. He hit just .208/.270/.357 with 177 strikeouts at high Class A Stockton in 2019, the fourth-most strikeouts in all of minor league baseball.

SCOUTING REPORT: It's easy to take notice of Eierman's plus raw power in batting practice, but an inability to make consistent contact has hampered his ability to unlock that power regularly. Eierman has tinkered with his mechanics often over the last three years and Oakland spent time remaking both his approach and his stride. The early returns were encouraging--he walked as much as he struck out in a limited instructional league sample size--but there is still concern over his ability to make consistent contact. Even with a more mature, filled-out frame, Eierman is an above-average defender with a plus arm capable of playing multiple infield positions.

THE FUTURE: A return to high Class A could be in order for Eierman, where the A's hope he continues to display a better hitting approach.

TRACK RECORD: Bolt made his major league debut in 2019, hitting a double in 10 at-bats. He wasn't a September callup initially and only got the nod after an injury to Mark Canha. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site in San Jose.

SCOUTING REPORT: A switch-hitter more effective from the left side, Bolt teases with his athletic skill set but has yet to fully capitalize on it. He has a keen eye at the plate and bettered his strikeout rates as he moved through minor leagues, helping to mitigate his fringe-average hit tool. Defensively, Bolt can comfortably play any outfield position, aided by his above-average speed and arm strength. He has struggled with injuries since the A's drafted him in 2015 out of North Carolina.

THE FUTURE: Bolt faces stiff competition in pursuit of a bench role in Oakland's outfield. His legs and glove give him a shot.

TRACK RECORD: Peluse epitomizes a player who worked diligently despite the lack of structured player development in 2020. Not assigned to the alternate training site, Peluse committed to an at-home workout plan tailored to increase his leg strength and added 10 pounds of muscle. He arrived at instructional league showing significant velocity gains, much to the A's surprise.

SCOUTING REPORT: Peluse's fastball sat 96 mph and touched 98 at instructs, a marked increase from his low-90s readings in college. His slider was already a plus pitch, showing late life and more drop than a typical slider. His changeup is firm, sitting at 88-89 mph, and the A's worked to soften it a bit during instructional league. Peluse already possessed one of the better deliveries among Oakland's starting pitching prospects and showed solid command and control during his time at Wake Forest, walking 3.18 batters per nine innings.

THE FUTURE: The A's hope Peluse sustains his velocity gains. He'll try to show he can in his first taste of full-season ball in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Millas was considered one of the top defensive college catchers in the 2019 draft class, but puzzling offensive struggles hindered his stock and dropped him to the seventh round. A subsequent injury to the UCL in his throwing arm combined with a blood clotting issue in his right armpit postponed his professional debut. Millas arrived at instructional league in 2020 fully healthy and immediately impressed the A's.

SCOUTING REPORT: Millas was a three-sport star in high school, also playing quarterback and point guard, and it shows behind the plate. He's an agile defender, a solid receiver and displays prototypical leadership skills, making him a favorite for pitchers to throw to. His arm is above-average even despite the injury. The switch-hitting Millas is a better hitter from the left side, where he projects as an average hitter with solid bat speed, although there were swing-and-miss concerns in college. His power is below-average and limits the offensive impact he projects to make.

THE FUTURE: Millas' glove will help him move through Oakland's system. How far his bat comes along will ultimately determine how far he rises.

TRACK RECORD: The A's signed Romero from Cuba in 2017 as a 23-year-old. He has primarily worked out of the bullpen and posted a 3.96 ERA in 45 appearances at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2019. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site in San Jose, where he showcased a new changeup he learned by watching videos on the internet.

SCOUTING REPORT: Romero has long looked the part of a major league reliever. His fastball sits 95 mph with sink and touches 98. He pairs it with an 86-88 mph breaking ball that shows late life. He previously struggled to commit to a third pitch, allowing hitters to sit on his heater if command of his breaking ball went awry, but his new changeup could be the answer to those problems and has the look of a potentially plus pitch. Romero's control is firmly below-average and his walk rate has increased successively at each new level.

THE FUTURE: The A's continue to ask Romero to focus more on the little things like holding runners, but there's no denying the arsenal. He could help the A's bullpen in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Thomas was a sought-after quarterback prospect in high school, opting to attend Oklahoma and play both football and baseball. He didn’t spend an overwhelming amount of time on the field in either sport, mostly serving as Baker Mayfield’s backup and playing one full baseball season. But Thomas showed enough to entice the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2016 draft, signing for an above-slot $297,500 bonus. Oakland acquired him in February alongside Adam Kolarek in a trade with the Dodgers, sending Sheldon Neuse and Gus Varland to Los Angeles.

SCOUTING REPORT: A lack of reps in college coupled with the lost 2020 season means Thomas is much more raw than a typical 26-year-old. But he has shown immense raw left-handed power, hitting 23 homers for Double-A Tulsa in 2019. There’s length to Thomas’ swing that results in a considerable amount of swing-and-miss. The A’s are impressed with Thomas’ combination of athleticism and physicality and believe he can handle all three outfield positions, although his average speed is more likely suited for a corner spot.

THE FUTURE: Consistent upper-level at-bats are needed for Thomas, who fits the mold of a powerful, athletic lefty bat the A’s covet.

TRACK RECORD: Armenteros landed the largest bonus of any A's international signing in 2016 at $3 million, but he has yet to translate his enticing tools into production as a professional. He struck out 227 times at high Class A Stockton in 2019, the most strikeouts of any player in the minor leagues, and was not invited to either the alternate training site or instructional league in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Armenteros has tantalizing plus raw power and speed. The issue is he rarely gets to that plus raw power. Armenteros' swing doesn't stay in the strike zone very long and he has struggled with pitch recognition, especially on breaking balls. He often swings wildly and is an easy out for pitchers who can land a breaking ball in the zone. Armenteros' speed does play when he gets on base and helps him play an average outfield, although he's limited to left field because of a below-average arm.

THE FUTURE: Armenteros has mostly confounded the A's so far as a professional. He's still just 21 years old and has a combination of tools they don't want to give up on.

TRACK RECORD: A 19th-round pick out of NAIA Lewis-Clark State, Brown had a Cinderella rise to the majors and hit well in his debut in 2019. He made a brief, seven-game cameo with Oakland in 2020 and spent the rest of the summer at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown re-tooled his swing in search of more launch angle prior to 2017 and unlocked considerable power. It has yet to translate to the big leagues in a very small sample size -- zero homers in 88 at-bats--but his plus raw power is as good as any in the A's system. He makes solid contact and has a chance to be an average hitter against righthanders as part of a platoon. Brown has worked hard to improve his outfield defense in the hopes of enhancing his versatility and giving him more avenues to playing time. He's a fine defender at first base.

THE FUTURE: The A's continue to look for more lefthanded bats, and some believe the 28-year-old Brown can still carve out a part-time role as a thumper.

TRACK RECORD: Charles boosted his stock considerably in 2019, striking out 93 batters in 62.1 innings of relief between three levels, topping out at Double-A Midland. He spent 2020 pitching at both Oakland’s alternate training site and fall instructional league, showcasing the best fastball of any pitcher in Oakland’s system.

SCOUTING REPORT: The hard-throwing righty regularly sat between 96-98 mph and occasionally touched triple-digits at both the alternate site and instructs in 2020. He pairs his imposing fastball with an above-average, late-breaking slider he’s capable of throwing in any count, and also features a work-in-progress changeup. Charles generates plenty of whiffs but also issues a concerning amount of free passes (16% walk rate in 2019). The A’s worked with him in 2020 to reduce the head tilt and stay more on line in his delivery in the hopes it will result in more strikes thrown, especially with his off-speed pitches.

THE FUTURE: Improved command and a continued refinement of his delivery are keys for Charles in 2021. If he throws more strikes, he could help Oakland’s bullpen by the end of the year.