Drafted in the 35th round (1,046th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2016.
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Acton has plenty of arm strength already. He's consistently touched 92-93 last fall and this spring. The St. Louis signee's secondary offerings have work to do to catch up to his fastball.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: Acton transferred from Saint Louis to Illinois and was a standout closer for two seasons for the Illini before the A's signed him as a nondrafted free agent in 2020 after the shortened draft. Acton overpowered hitters in 2021, striking out more than 40% of batters at the lower levels. He didn't quite replicate those gaudy strikeout numbers in the upper minors in 2022, but he still posted a strikeout rate near 30% in relief and reached Triple-A Las Vegas.
Scouting Report: Acton attacks hitters with brute force. He has added velocity since turning pro and parks his fastball in the upper 90s. The pitch has good shape, generating whiffs at the top of the strike zone. Acton pitches from the stretch and his shorter arm action creates some deception against righthanded hitters. Lefthanders fared much better against Acton in 2022. Acton's favorite secondary is a mid-80s slider that has sharp vertical break and flashes above-average. He turned to his upper-80s changeup less than 10% of the time, but the pitch showed above-average potential and could become more of a factor against lefties. Acton has smoothed out his delivery since turning pro, but his fair command is best suited for shorter outings.
The Future: Acton could settle in as a seventh- or eighth-inning option in a bullpen one day. He should reach Oakland at some point in 2023.
Track Record: Acton transferred from Saint Louis to Illinois and was a standout closer for two seasons for the Illini before the A's signed him as a nondrafted free agent in 2020 after the shortened draft. Acton overpowered hitters in 2021, striking out more than 40% of batters at the lower levels. He didn't quite replicate those gaudy strikeout numbers in the upper minors in 2022, but he still posted a strikeout rate near 30% in relief and reached Triple-A Las Vegas.
Scouting Report: Acton attacks hitters with brute force. He has added velocity since turning pro and parks his fastball in the upper 90s. The pitch has good shape, generating whiffs at the top of the strike zone. Acton pitches from the stretch and his shorter arm action creates some deception against righthanded hitters. Lefthanders fared much better against Acton in 2022. Acton's favorite secondary is a mid-80s slider that has sharp vertical break and flashes above-average. He turned to his upper-80s changeup less than 10% of the time, but the pitch showed above-average potential and could become more of a factor against lefties. Acton has smoothed out his delivery since turning pro, but his fair command is best suited for shorter outings.
The Future: Acton could settle in as a seventh- or eighth-inning option in a bullpen one day. He should reach Oakland at some point in 2023.
Track Record: Acton transferred from Saint Louis to Illinois and was a standout closer for two seasons for the Illini before the A's signed him as a nondrafted free agent in 2020 after the shortened draft. Acton overpowered hitters in 2021, striking out more than 40% of batters at the lower levels. He didn't quite replicate those gaudy strikeout numbers in the upper minors in 2022, but he still posted a strikeout rate near 30% in relief and reached Triple-A Las Vegas.
Scouting Report: Acton attacks hitters with brute force. He has added velocity since turning pro and parks his fastball in the upper 90s. The pitch has good shape, generating whiffs at the top of the strike zone. Acton pitches from the stretch and his shorter arm action creates some deception against righthanded hitters. Lefthanders fared much better against Acton in 2022. Acton's favorite secondary is a mid-80s slider that has sharp vertical break and flashes above-average. He turned to his upper-80s changeup less than 10% of the time, but the pitch showed above-average potential and could become more of a factor against lefties. Acton has smoothed out his delivery since turning pro, but his fair command is best suited for shorter outings.
The Future: Acton could settle in as a seventh- or eighth-inning option in a bullpen one day. He should reach Oakland at some point in 2023.