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2026 Athletics Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects

top 20 prospects for the 2026 athletics

John Villavicencio
Dynasty 1/20/2026

Athletics

Did you know that the Athletics are moving to Las Vegas by 2030? They saw how well things were going with the Raiders and were like, “We want to go to the playoffs once every decade, too!” At least the football team draws tens of thousands of fans for each home game, while the baseball team is lucky to scrape together ten thousand tickets per series. To say that John Fisher is an embarrassment to franchise owners everywhere is to put it mildly, and baseball fans everywhere would benefit if he sold the team.

In the transition period to a new ballpark on the Strip, the Athletics find themselves with a dynamic offense and a wealth of young starting prospects who could grace Sin City with a winning ball club. Nick Kurtz has graduated from this list to win Rookie Of The Year honors. Jacob Wilson is a lineup mainstay, while Denzel Clarke and Colby Thomas provide versatility in the outfield. And the pitching staff has strong rotation contenders polishing their stuff in the minor leagues. It is the offense that will carry this team with the golden riches that Sutter Health Field provides in Sacramento. Maybe this is the year they will have their “Eureka” moment and strike gold in a late-season surge to the playoffs. Hopefully, Fisher can cash out and rid the organization of his stench before they try to build a fanbase in their new home with some of the following top 20 prospects.

Head over to the Pitcher List dynasty page to check out the other 25+ team rankings already published.

 

Top A’s Prospects

The Top Tier

 

1) Leo De Vries SS

 

Leo De Vries stands as the unequivocal No. 1 prospect in the Athletics’ system, acquired as the centerpiece in the Mason Miller trade. The 2025 season showcased his elite power potential across High-A and Double-A. Over 168 plate appearances, De Vries demonstrated authority at the plate while refining his underlying skills.

He improved his contact rate from 74% in 2024 to 80% in Double-A and reduced his swinging-strike rate to under 10%. His walk rate was a strong 12%, with a stable 20% strikeout rate. Power continued to progress: ISO jumped from .204 in 2024 to .250 in High-A and .270 in Double-A, highlighted by a .910 OPS across 103 Double-A plate appearances. He finished the season red-hot, hitting five home runs with a .383/.420/.851 line over the final 20 games and added three more in the postseason.

Questions remain in secondary tools. His speed has waned, attempting only 21 steals with a 58% success rate, and his right-handed hitting lagged (.552 SLG to .344 SLG; .230 AVG to .216 AVG). Still, his batted-ball profile—strong airborne contact with favorable pull tendencies—suggests his game-changing power will translate into 2026.

2) Henry Bolte OF

 

Henry Bolte reached Triple-A in 2025 but carried over many issues from Double-A. Strikeouts remain high, with whiffs over 42% on sliders, 36% on changeups, 31% on cutters, and 58% on curveballs. His overall strikeout rate improved from 35% to 29%, but a 15% swinging-strike rate and sub-70% contact leave limited productive balls in play.

Bolte also hit the ball poorly when contact was made, posting a 59% groundball rate with a -8° launch angle in Triple-A. Despite this, he hit .300 in Triple-A and .284 overall across two levels. A wrist injury ended his season prematurely, pushing his expected minor league timeline into 2026. Bolte’s 40+ stolen bases and 15% walk rate remain significant assets, and with adequate defensive play in right or center, he is on track for a 2026 debut.

3) Gage Jump SP

 

Gage Jump’s profile has shifted from a risky lefty with a funky delivery to a strategic, deceptive arm. In his first six High-A starts, he posted a 69% strike rate, 16% swinging-strike rate, and 1.91 xFIP. His fastball sits at 97 mph, complemented by a sharp curveball and slider.

After promotion to Double-A, strike and swinging-strike rates dipped slightly (67% to 63% strike rate; 37% to ~average K%). His two strong late-season outings—8 strikeouts over 90+ pitches each—suggest he can handle high pitch counts. Despite a rough two-month stretch with a 6.03 ERA and 59% fly-ball rate, Jump’s ceiling is in refining his current approach rather than discovering a new gear.

4) Junior Perez OF

 

Junior Perez earned a 40-man roster spot after an impressive Triple-A campaign and edges out some other well-regarded prospects due to his proximity and recent demonstration of strong underlying metrics. With a 38% flyball rate, he hit 12 home runs over 182 plate appearances, posting a 30% HR/FB ratio. His 13° launch angle, 16% barrel rate, and 107 mph EV90 confirm significant raw power, even if the home run pace is unsustainable. Early in his career, Perez was posting high exit velocities, but now at 6’0″ 200 pounds, he has grown into his strength while continuing to post elite ideal contact rates.

Perez adds multi-category value, having stolen 20+ bases annually since 2021 and maintaining a 15% walk rate. His strikeout rate decreased to 28% in 2025 with an 18% chase rate, and he has experience across all three outfield positions. With elite athleticism and consistent production, he remains a compelling call-up candidate for the Athletics.

5) Jamie Arnold SP

 

Jamie Arnold, a 6’1” lefty, dominated in his college career with 278 strikeouts and only 53 walks across 190.1 innings. He commands a mid-90s fastball, an excellent breaking slider, and an improving changeup. In 2025, Arnold posted a 33% strikeout rate, 7% walk rate, and held opposing hitters to .200.

He benefits from an athletic delivery and high innings durability. While not at the top of the organizational depth chart, Arnold remains one of the few lefties with upside alongside Ken Waldichuk (designated for assignment in December), Wei-En Lin, and Gage Jump. Proper development could see him advance quickly in 2026.

6) Devin Taylor OF

 

Second-round pick Devin Taylor wrapped up his first pro season with strong power displays. The 6’1” left-handed hitter posted a .831 OPS in August and 1.037 OPS in September. His leg-kick timing mechanism allows him to handle high pitches and maintain an all-fields approach.

Strikeouts increased initially but halved in his final eleven games. With prior collegiate discipline (19% walk rate, 11% strikeout rate), Taylor’s power and plate discipline project to remain high as he adjusts to minor league pitching.

Prospects that Dynasty Managers Should Know

 

7) Tommy White 3B/1B

 

Tommy White, a 2024 second-round pick, carries 75 career home runs and a post-1.000 OPS in college. The 6’1” corner infielder demonstrates high contact and a swing reminiscent of Justin Turner, with a two-handed follow-through.

Despite injury stints, White’s AFL performance (.292/.395/.444 with 3 HRs in 72 PA) highlights untapped power potential. A 50% groundball rate and 40% pull rate suggest doubles power with eventual over-the-fence upside. His combination of contact and occasional lift mirrors Justin Turner’s 17-year career trajectory.

8) Braden Nett SP

 

Acquired in the Mason Miller trade, Nett is a polished 6’3” righty with a traditional three-quarters delivery. Over nine Double-A games, his strike rate improved from 63% to 65%. He pitched 105.2 innings with a 25% strikeout rate, 10% walk rate, and 1.47 WHIP. A standout start featured below included 11 strikeouts with zero walks over 6.2 innings.

While not a strikeout-heavy pitcher, Nett induces weak contact and maintains a solid groundball rate. His slider and developing changeup should help neutralize hitters on both sides of the plate.

9) Wei-En Lin SP

 

Wei-En Lin progressed through three levels in 2025, showing mixed results. The 6’2” lefty posted a 34% K rate, 3% walk rate, 16% swinging-strike rate, 3.96 ERA, and 2.73 xFIP over 50 Single-A innings. In six Double-A innings, his strikeout rate was 28%, BB 14%, ERA 4.05, xFIP 4.74.

Lin features a smooth three-quarter delivery, a 93 mph fastball, an 82 mph slider, a loopy curve, and a developing changeup. The season served as a stepping stone for evaluating durability and strikeout progression at higher levels.

10) Steven Echavarria SP

 

Steven Echavarria is showing glimpses of upside. The 6’1” righty touches 99 mph with a late-breaking slider. His 61% strike rate is low for starter consideration; he must miss more bats to complement his 20% strikeout rate and enhance long-term projection.

11) Joshua Kuroda-Grauer SS/2B/3B

The 2024 third-round pick relies on contact and speed. Over two minor league seasons, he maintains ~90% contact with a 48% groundball rate. Two late-season home runs aside, over-the-wall power is limited, though AFL metrics show a 111 mph max exit velocity and a small 8% sweet spot rate.

He is a versatile defender, playing shortstop primarily, but also capable at second and third. High contact and speed will remain his calling cards as he climbs the ladder.

12) Kenya Huggins SP

 

Acquired in a trade for Miguel Andujar, Huggins returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025, throwing up to 97 mph with 18″ of vertical break. His sinker and cutter complement a strong changeup, with 7.2 feet of extension highlighting his elite mechanics. Swing-and-miss stuff includes a 13% swinging-strike rate and 65% strike rate.

13) Gavin Turley OF

 

Gavin Turley brings strong offensive tools from Oregon State. He posted a 51% flyball rate and 10% HR/FB in college, suggesting a power swing. Strikeout rates at 27% leave room for adjustment, particularly with non-fastballs. Early minor league exposure will test his ability to maximize power while maintaining contact.

14) Edgar Montero SS/3B

 

Edgar Montero excelled in the Dominican Summer League, posting 14 doubles, nine homers, and eleven steals over 244 PA with a .313/.484/.580 slash line. His flyball rate increased to 47% with 54% pulled. Switch-hitting is in progress, and 1.147 OPS in limited left-handed PA suggests growing multi-swing versatility.

15) Shotaro Morii SS/SP

 

Originally drafted as a two-way player, Morii debuted in Rookie ball as a middle infielder, hitting left-handed and throwing up to 95 mph. At 19, he remains in early development, with raw power (45 HR in high school) not yet fully realized. Plate discipline and contact need refinement, but pull tendencies could unlock future power. The Athletics have yet to get him on the mound during a tracked game, but he did pitch during the instructional league.

The Next 5 Prospects

16) Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang SP

 

The 25-year-old Zhuang excelled in Double-A in 2025, showing increased velocity (up to 97 mph) and solid vertical break. He mixes a late-breaking slider, splitter, curveball, and changeup. With a high strike rate and innings durability, Triple-A in 2026 will be a critical test.

17) Henry Baez SP

 

Acquired in the Mason Miller trade, Baez has shown average stuff with excellent control. Over two seasons, he maintained an 8% walk rate and sub-3.00 ERA, with a 3.65 xFIP. His 53% groundball and 25% flyball rate suggest a low-stress, innings-eating profile.

18) Cole Miller SP

 

Returning from Tommy John surgery, Cole Miller showed improved mechanics with a 13% swinging-strike rate in Double-A. Limited innings capped at four per start, but he recorded 26 strikeouts to four walks over his final five starts. He projects for a larger workload in 2026.

19) Zane Taylor SP

The 6’0″ righty was drafted out of UNC Wilmington after putting together a dynamite draft season with a 25% K%-BB%. With a history of limiting free passes and a deep arsenal that includes three fastballs, Taylor could move quickly through the system with continued success.

The 24-year-old could remain in Triple-A at his age level, but his pro debut in Las Vegas can be attributed to timing in the season schedule. He didn’t earn standout metrics in his first appearance, but the video shows that he has an athletic delivery with a solid sequencing of pitches.

 

20) Breyson Guedez OF

 

Signed for $1.5 million, the 18-year-old Dominican outfielder, Breyson Guedez, impressed with an 82% contact rate while swinging at 55% of pitches. He hit 15 doubles and showed plate discipline, suggesting long-term upside as he matures physically.

Photo by MLB.com

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