Morning everyone!
The club was able to acquire one of the entire sport’s best prospects when they traded their All-Star closer and backend starter to the San Diego Padres in exchange for 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries. There were other pieces in the return package other than De Vries but he was the true prize. Considered baseball’s #3 prospect at the time of the trade, De Vries will be the true deciding factor when we look back years from now and wonder who “won” this trade.
Young for his level
even at High-A, De Vries was demolishing the ball over in the Padres’ farm system before the trade and he continued to do that when he came over to his new organization. It took him just 15 games with his new club to open eyes and force all of the decision makers to agree: it was time to push him up the minor league ladder.
It wasn’t especially surprising either. The big league team is currently in rebuilding mode but is slowly putting together a squad that could push for the playoffs in the near future. The front office has been aggressive with their promotions of their top prospects in recent seasons, especially on the position player side of things. And with the arrival of De Vries to the organization, it was just one more big name for the higher-ups to scoot along in his development.
His first foray into the upper minors has not started off well though. It’s only been two games, but De Vries is just 1-for-9 with a single, a walk, two strikeouts and an error at shortstop. It’s nothing to worry about because he’s still only 18(!) and already at Double-A, the second-to-last stop in the minor leagues. He’s ahead of every other prospect his age:
It’s been a quick ascent for the young shortstop but these two games could humble him and be a wakeup call. He won’t be able to rely on his raw tools as he gets closer to The Show. The club has been aggressive with promotions, but not that aggressive. It seems based off the early showing that the youthful De Vries still has some growing to do, and we should all pump the brakes on the expectations and timeline for this kid. It’d be nice if he was already forcing his way to Triple-A but let’s all just let him develop at his own pace, and our future core player will be just fine.
First pitch is in just a couple hours now so get ready to tune in. Have a great day A’s fans!
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Can he extend it to 19 this afternoon?
Interesting arm joining the Athletics’ AFL roster early:
ICYMI:
