7. James Kaprielian RHP

Age: 22 (3/2/94)

Highest Level: DNP

DNP - Tommy John Surgery

Kaprielian hasn’t thrown a competitive pitch since 2016, and has yet to throw in anything but an instructional league game as a member of the A’s organization. Acquired in the Sonny Gray trade, Kaprielian was able to get on the mound earlier this month for instructs and not shockingly was a little rusty. He was touching 99 with the Yankees before Tommy John, but in his inning of work he was 88-91 with life and added a slider in the low-80s. From the little video I saw it looks like he has a new arm slot also. He was scheduled to pitch in games this season, but a shoulder issue popped up during his rehab from TJ. When healthy he has four pitches and he will use them at any time. ETA: 2020.

8. Daulton Jefferies, RHP

Age: 23 (8/2/95)

Highest Level: ROK

2 IP, 0.00 ERA, -0.93 FIP, 22.50 K/9, 0.00 BB/9, .143 AVG.

The righty out of Cal has only thrown 20 1/3 pro innings since the A’s used the 37th pick on him in the 2016 draft. Staying healthy has obviously been a concern, but he throws three potential average-or-better offerings with his changeup being a borderline plus pitch, and he has plus command. Reports say Jefferies was hitting 95 during instructs. He missed 2018 after Tommy John surgery. ETA: 2020.

9. Skye Bolt, OF

Age: 25 (1/15/94)

Highest Level: AA

.260/.347/.474, 19 HR, .214 ISO, 121 wRC+, 11.1% BB, 23.3% K, 19 SB- A+/AA

Bolt was an elite college performer during his freshman year at North Carolina, but he wasn’t able to repeat it during his sophomore or junior seasons. The A’s were still impressed enough to take him in the 4th round in 2015. Bolt is a plus defender in center with a plus arm, and those skills alone are enough to get him to the big leagues. Offensively he struggles making contact and with pitch recognition, but made significant improvements in both areas during 2018 as he just missed a 20-20 season. ETA: 2020.

10. Jameson Hannah, OF

Age: 21 (8/10/97)

Highest Level: A

.279/.347/.384, 1 HR, .105 ISO, 119 wRC+, 9.5% BB, 25.3% K, 6 SB

The Dallas Baptist product was the 50th-overall pick this past June. Future leadoff hitter with an average hit tool and 60-grade wheels. Strikes out too much at present, but does barrel balls when he makes contact, he just needs more consistency there. I’d put a 60 on the raw power, but he doesn’t tap into it presently in games. He covers a lot of ground in centerfield, but teams will run on his 30-arm. ETA: 2021

11. Jeremy Eierman, SS

Age: 22 (9/10/96)

Highest Level: A

.235/.283/.381, 8 HR, .146 ISO, 95 wRC+, 4.9% BB, 26.2% K, 10 SB

The A’s took Eierman with the 70th-overall pick out of Missouri State. Eierman’s two loudest tools are his plus raw pop and plus throwing arm. The arm is strong enough that it will keep him on the left side of the infield. Eierman is an aggressive hitter, and needs to tone down the aggressiveness to fully tap into his power. There are also some concerns about how he’s hit with wood thus far. He’s got a very interesting fantasy profile with that power-speed combo and ability to stick at short. ETA: 2021

12. Parker Dunshee, RHP

Age: 24 (2/12/95)

Highest Level: AA

150.2 IP, 2.33 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 9.74 K/9, 1.85 BB/9, .218 AVG- A+/AA

Fastball sits 88-91, tops out at 93. His slider is in the mid-80’s and the changeup is developing. The changeup will ultimately decide his future value. He throws strikes but doesn’t get as many groundballs as I’d like. Future back-end starter for me because he lacks an out pitch. ETA: 2021.

13. Marcos Brito, 2B

Age: 19 (3/6/2000)

Highest Level: A

.241/.325/.288, 1 HR, .047 ISO, 89 wRC+, 11.2% BB, 20.7% K, 7 SB

Switch-hitting teenager that held his own against older competition. Brito is a plus defender at second base with quick-twitch actions and good range. He needs to add strength and incorporate the lower half more in his swing. He has a leg kick that occasionally creates timing issues which leads to weak contact. It will likely be a slow climb through the minors the rest of the way, but Brito performed well after an aggressive assignment for the 2016 International Free Agent. ETA: 2022.

14. Tyler Ramirez, OF

Age: 24 (2/21/95)

Highest Level: AA

.287/.370/.430, 10 HR, .143 ISO, 121 wRC+, 10.4% BB, 24.9% K, 5 SB

All Tyler Ramirez has done since entering the Oakland organization out of UNC is hit. Ramirez owns a career .285/.374/.420 line. His best offensive skill is the 60-grade hit tool, and it plays up a bit if you factor in the strong walk rate. He uses all fields with strong line drive rates and racks up doubles, but the power will always be limited by the linear swing and 5-foot-9 frame. He’s an average runner who can stick in center, but he profiles best on a corner where he is solidly above-average defensively. He also hasn’t shown a platoon issue thus far, and really is the ideal bench bat on a contending club. Jon Jay-ish. ETA: 2020.

15. Kevin Merrell, SS

Age: 23 (12/14/95)

Highest Level: A+

.291/.335/.365, 6 HR, .074 ISO, 91 wRC+, 5.9% BB, 21.9% K, 7 SB- ROK/A/A+

Is it wrong that I expected much more out of Merrell in the Cal League? The University of South Florida product was the 33rd-overall pick in the 2017 draft because of his speed and glove. He can fly, but his 70-grade speed hasn’t translated much in game in the stolen base department. Merrell has the glove and range to stick up the middle, but the complete lack of power is concerning. It’s difficult to project Merrell as anything other than a utility guy at this point. ETA: 2021.

16. Nick Allen, SS

Age: 20 (10/8/98)

Highest Level: A-

.239/.301/.302, 0 HR, .063 ISO, 73 wRC+, 6.6% BB, 16.6% K, 24 SB

Nick Allen is a 70 glove at shortstop. That 70 glove with a 60 arm is enough to play everyday at the six. He’s a great athlete with the leadership skills and makeup that you want on your team. I’m skeptical that he hits, but I’m always the last one out on elite defenders and athletes like this. It’s all going to depend on how long Oakland’s leash here is. His bat will still be developing long after he’s called up to Oakland. ETA: 2022.