The Oakland Athletics are likely to feature two talented outfielders currently playing for their High-A affiliate in Lansing, Michigan – Henry Bolte and Bryan Buelvas. These two young players possess impressive speed, developing power, and a high level of enthusiasm for the game.
Bolte and Buelvas have shown promising signs of improvement this season. Through 19 games, they each have 17 hits, 3 home runs, and a perfect 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts. Buelvas has even hit 3 home runs in 3 consecutive games.
While their batting averages are still relatively low (.239 for Bolte and .243 for Buelvas), they have contributed significantly, with Bolte scoring 15 runs and driving in 13, while Buelvas has scored 18 runs and driven in 12.
The long-time Lansing radio announcer, Jesse Goldberg-Strasser, has observed the development of these two players, noting that “watching these guys every day can be very enjoyable and sometimes frustrating. ” He acknowledges their raw talent, but also their youth and inconsistency, stating that “you see little glimpses of good things, sometimes brilliant things. That’s fun.”
As the Athletics look to potentially relocate to Las Vegas in the coming years, with a potential stop in Sacramento along the way, Bolte and Buelvas could very well be part of the team’s future outfield. However, they still need to continue improving their pitch recognition at the plate to complement their already advanced defensive and baserunning skills.
Colombia Has More Than Coffee
Coffee connoisseurs rave about the smooth, rich flavor of Colombian coffee blends. Similarly, Oakland scouts were captivated by the polished, well-rounded talent displayed by 16-year-old Buelvas, leading the A’s to sign him for $100,000 back in 2018.
Now 22 years old, Buelvas has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his development, particularly on the defensive side of the ball as evidenced by this highlight-reel play earlier this month. However, his offensive production has been more inconsistent, with too many strikeouts overshadowing his successes.
But when Buelvas is able to maintain his balance and rhythm at the plate, the results can be truly impressive, as demonstrated by this towering home run he hit for the Stockton Ports in 2023. In fact, he began to put it all together during that stint, batting .290 with 9 home runs and 23 stolen bases in just 54 games.
Just like a perfectly brewed cup of Colombian coffee, Buelvas’ blend of tools and potential has scouts and fans eagerly anticipating his continued development and future impact at the highest level.
Other Prospects Getting Straight A’s
While Oakland’s minor league system may not be brimming with elite-level prospects, the A’s farm does boast several up-and-coming players who are expected to contribute to the big league club in the near future. According to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, a number of these promising talents are found among the organization’s top 10 prospects.
Headlining this group are several highly-touted infielders, including Jacob Wilson, Max Muncy, Myles Naylor, and Brett Harris. In addition to this strong infield contingent, the A’s system also features a pair of standout players at other key positions – outfielder Denzel Clarke and catcher Daniel Susac. Though Oakland’s farm system may not be overflowing with blue-chip talent, this collection of top prospects represents a solid foundation for the team’s future.
The A’s farm system also boasts several highly-ranked right-handed pitching prospects, including Luis Morales, Joe Boyle, Joey Estes, and Steven Echevarria. These young hurlers have drawn praise and attention within the organization.
Additionally, Mitch Spence, a Rule 5 draft pick from the New York Yankees, has made a strong impression in his rookie season with the A’s. Despite being 25 years old, Spence has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.38 ERA through his first seven sharp-looking relief appearances for Oakland, further bolstering the team’s pitching depth.
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