Oakland Athletics Breakout MLB Prospects Entering 2024

Breakout Prospects

Henry Bolte, OF

Preseason rank: 13
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: Oakland drafted the Palo Alto native No. 56 overall in 2022 and signed him to a $2 million bonus. Bolte briefly debuted in the Arizona Complex League that year and expected to open 2023 in full-season ball. Instead, the A’s held him back in extended spring training to work extensively with a high-velocity pitching machine to further develop his hit tool and selectivity. Bolte ultimately debuted with Low-A Stockton in late April and remained in the lineup nearly every day from that point on, hitting .257 with a 113 wRC+ while also leading all A’s minor leaguers in strikeouts (164).

SCOUTING REPORT: The A’s raved about Bolte’s progress throughout 2023. The toolsy outfielder has methodically rebuilt his swing since turning pro in an effort to make enough contact to allow his immense power to play more consistently. Bolte has closed his stance, worked to sync up his lower half and shortened his path to the ball. There’s still considerable swing-and-miss—he owned a 33.4% strikeout rate in Low-A—but he improved his contact as the season progressed. His approach and pitch recognition still need more maturation. The majority of his power is to the opposite field, and there’s still a hole on the inside of the plate. The rest of Bolte’s skill set remains dynamic. He’s a plus runner and an above-average defender and thrower who can play both center and right field.

THE FUTURE: Bolte still has a long road to travel, but he has dynamic power-speed potential if he can continue to refine his hitting ability.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Run: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.

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Jack Perkins, RHP

Preseason rank: 15
BA Grade: 45. Risk: High.

TRACK RECORD: Perkins showed explosive stuff as an amateur and piqued the A’s interest after throwing more strikes upon transferring from Indiana to Louisville in 2022. They signed him for $270,750 in the fifth round and he trended up in his first full season of pro ball in 2023, posting a 4.10 ERA in 107.2 innings between High-A Lansing and Double-A Midland. Perkins continued on to the Arizona Fall League and did not allow an earned run in 12.1 innings.

SCOUTING REPORT: A full offseason committed to a plyo-ball routine helped Perkins’ velocity tick up in 2023. His four-seamer averaged nearly 95 mph and has decent shape, playing well at the top of the zone because of his lower release angle. He also throws a low-90s cutter that has above-average potential. Perkins missed fewer bats upon reaching Double-A. Settling on a more precise slider could help improve his swing-and-miss potential at the upper levels. His mid-80s offering flashes above-average potential, but has inconsistent shape and sometimes blends into a slurve-like offering. There’s some debate internally whether the pitch is better suited by adding more sweep or more depth. Perkins also throws a firm upper-80s changeup that elicited the most whiffs of any offering in the zone. He has been an average strike-thrower so far, and utilizes a quick, compact delivery and shorter arm stroke. 

THE FUTURE: Perkins needs to unlock more consistent secondaries to stay on a starter track, although his stuff might play up in a high-leverage relief role.

Scouting Grades
Fastball: 55. Cutter: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.

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Colby Thomas, OF

Preseason rank: 20
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: Thomas was a power-speed threat at Mercer, albeit with hit tool questions after batting .228 in the Cape Cod League in 2021. He was in the midst of a productive junior spring in 2022 until a right shoulder labrum injury in May required season-ending surgery. The A’s signed him for $750,000 in the third round that year, and he made his pro debut in 2023, hitting .286/.351/.493 across Low-A Stockton and High-A Lansing.

SCOUTING REPORT: Based on tools and athleticism, Thomas stacks up with almost any player in Oakland’s system. He has plus raw power, mostly geared toward right-center field, and averaged 104 mph 90th percentile exit velocity in 2023. Thomas’ plus running ability translates to both his defense and baserunning, where he stole 25 bases in 31 attempts. But there are concerns his hitting approach won’t hold up against better pitching. Thomas struck out 29.5% of the time compared to a 4.6% walk rate against High-A pitching. He chases too frequently, especially early in the count against breaking balls. Thomas plays with a high motor and covers plenty of ground defensively. He has a strong throwing arm, but his route-running needs refining. He’s likely best suited to right field.

THE FUTURE: Thomas has some of the higher upside among position players in Oakland’s system. There’s risk involved, though, and his pitch recognition and plate coverage require considerable refinement to help reach that ceiling.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 40. Power: 55. Run: 55. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.