The Oakland Athletics may be showcasing two promising outfielders in the future, currently playing in Lansing, Michigan. Henry Bolte and Bryan Buelvas have shown exceptional speed, developing power, and a great passion for the game. As the A’s plan to move to Las Vegas after a stop in Sacramento, these young players could potentially be part of the team’s future in Nevada. While both players have strengths in defense and baserunning, they still need to work on their pitch recognition at the plate. Signs of improvement have been seen at the High A level, with Bolte and Buelvas showing promising stats through 19 games.
Bolte, a second-round pick out of Palo Alto High School, has shown promise with his speed and athleticism. Known for his ability to turn singles into doubles, and doubles into triples, Bolte is projected to become a multi-tool center-fielder. With a history of hitting homers and showcasing his speed on the bases, Bolte’s potential for growth lies in his consistency at the plate. On the other hand, Buelvas, a Colombian player signed by the A’s at age 16, has shown flashes of brilliance in his defense. While his offensive game has been inconsistent, he has displayed impressive performances like hitting a home run during his time at Stockton.
Additionally, the Oakland Athletics have several other promising prospects in their farm system. Infielders Jacob Wilson, Max Muncy, Myles Naylor, and Brett Harris, outfielder Denzel Clarke, and catcher Daniel Susac are all ranked among the top 10 prospects in the organization by MLB Pipeline. The team also has highly ranked pitchers such as Luis Morales, Joe Boyle, Joey Estes, and Steven Echevarria. Another standout is Mitch Spence, a Rule 5 draft pick from the New York Yankees, who has shown promise in his rookie season with a 2-1 record and a 3.38 ERA in relief outings.
Looking back at the historic outfielders that the Oakland Athletics drafted in the mid-1960s, we see the impact of players like Rick Monday and Reggie Jackson. Monday, a first-round pick out of Arizona State, made the All-Star team and displayed great defensive skills in center field. Jackson, chosen as the second overall pick in 1966, went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Athletics and became known for his power hitting. Together, Monday and Jackson were part of the A’s success in winning three consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to 1974. Their contributions to the team’s success solidified their place in Athletics history and showcased the importance of drafting talented outfielders.
