Elephant Rumblings: JJ Bleday Designated For Assignment

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Good morning everyone!

The last day to add players to the 40-man roster and thus protect them from the Rule 5 Draft was yesterday and the Athletics made a few moves to protect some prospects, and some non-moves that left some others unprotected from being picked in the draft on December 10th.

The biggest move wasn’t an addition though, it was a cut. Center fielder JJ Bleday, who was the Opening Day starter for the Athletics the past two seasons, was designated for assignment and is likely to find a new

home soon. Originally drafted by the Miami Marlins 4th overall in 2019 Belday arrived in 2023 in exchange for another former 1st-rounder in AJ Puk. Bleday didn’t hit well in his first season with the Green & Gold but broke out in 2024. in 159 games the lefty-swinging Bleday hit .243/,324/.437 with 20 home runs and solid defense in center field. It looked like the A’s had found their young center fielder.

Instead he regressed in almost every major offensive category, and also let those struggles follow him to the field. Bleday hit just .191 during the first half, eventually finding himself back in Triple-A. He made it back after a month in Vegas and looked somewhat better, but by then the A’s it seemed had moved on already to Denzel Clarke as their center fielder of the future. A change of scenery is probably best for both sides and now we’ll wait and see if we can acquire anything of value back for Bleday.

The Athletics had some more space on the 40-man roster and elected to add a trio of prospects to protect them from being possibly selected, protecting outfielder Junior Perez (unranked prospect) and pitchers Braden Nett (#4 prospect) and Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang (#29):

Perez is a 24-year-old outfielder who made it to Triple-A for the first time this past season after beginning the year in Double-A. He looked good for the Aviators, hitting a healthy .298/.412/.642 and knocking 12 long balls in just 42 games which seems to have been enough for the A’s to protect him from getting claimed. A righty-swinger, two of the A’s three starting outfielders are left-handed so Perez could find some playing time as a right-handed compliment to Lawrence Butler or Tyler Soderstrom down the line. Right now that role is occupied by Colby Thomas but he struggled in his first taste of the big leagues.

Nett was expected to get added as he’s one of the organization’s top pitching prospects and the A’s need to hoard as much young pitching as they can right now. He played out this past season in Double-A and could begin the season there again next year but he could also get pushed quickly up the ladder if he begins the season strong. The 23=year-old, who was one of the return pieces for Mason Miller and JP Sears, could very well be an option for the big league squad in the second half.

Zhuang himself is another interesting pitching prospect that has potential. He’s already 25 but he also made it to Double-A this past year and with a strong showing could be an option for the A’s next season. He spent last season almost exclusively as a starting pitcher but could also be an option for the depleted bullpen. The biggest hurdle for him will be staying healthy after a long injury history so that may be his ultimate future anyway.

There was one name that was not selected to the 40-man roster and will be eligible to get plucked. Former 1st-round pick Daniel Susac could be picked up by a catchy-needy team. Now 24, the Athletics’ #11 prospect hit .275/.349/.483 with 18 long balls while playing the entire season with the Aviators, his first taste of the final level of the minors. It’s a small surprise that the club elected not to add Susac but the front office seems to think either one of two things: either he’ll go unclaimed and remain with the organization, or he’ll get claimed and not be ready for The Show and find his way back. It’s a bit of a risk but one the A’s are going to take. Fingers crossed he’s not selected.

That’s all we got for now. Have a great Wednesday everyone!

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