The Oakland A’s are the next AL West team on our Players Likely to Debut series. In case you missed it, we have already rolled out over two-thirds of the league.
AL East: Red Sox — Yankees — Orioles — Blue Jays — Rays
NL East: Marlins — Braves — Phillies — Mets — Nationals
AL Central: Tigers — Royals — White Sox — Twins — Cleveland
NL Central: Cardinals — Reds — Pirates — Cubs — Brewers
AL West: Mariners — Rangers — Angels
Below, you will find a list of three prospects from the respective organization. Each prospect will have a number score next to their name — this number will represent the estimated amount of time we anticipate that player seeing at the big-league level. Players that have already made their big-league debut will not be included on this list.
BREAKDOWN OF TIME ON ROSTER SCORES:
1 — September call-ups / guys that are likely to see less than 20-25 games on the roster
2 — 1/4 of the season (roughly 40 games on roster)
3 — 1/2 of the season (roughly 80 games on roster)
4 — 3/4 of the season (roughly 120 games on roster)
5 — Full season on the MLB roster
Position — Name (Time on Roster Score)
OF — Luis Barrera (4)
When Robbie Grossman signed a two-year contract with the Tigers, it left the opportunity for Barrera to make the roster in 2021 after a strong showing in alternate camp in 2020. He has plus speed and an arm that grades between 60 and 70. Injuries have derailed his progress but if he can hit for average, and continue to get on base at a high rate — as he did in Double-A in 2019 in which he posted a wRC+ of 139 — Barrera could make a sizable impact as early as this year. Plus, his ability to play any spot in the outfield increases his versatility.
OF — Greg Deichmann (1)
The 2017 second-round draft pick out of LSU had a strong AFL showing two seasons ago. Like Barrera, injuries have derailed his progress. The left-hander has power potential with a good arm that could play in the corners. The strikeout numbers are alarming but Oakland could call him up at some point to see what he is capable of.
RHP-Grant Holmes (2)
Holmes has four different types of pitch offerings which include a fastball, curve, changeup, and a slider that looks like more of a cutter according to reports. His biggest setbacks have been his control and command. His health concerns, and how Oakland used him in 2019, suggest he could be a middle reliever. Holmes has tremendous upside and some of the best stuff in the system when he is healthy — in addition to having some lengthy locks underneath his cap.
Notable
Brian Howard, Buddy Reed and Parker Dunshee are other names that could get consideration to make their debuts this season. Dunshee and Howard profile as backend starters.
