REPORT: The 3 most interesting Athletics players on the Spring Breakout roster
The Oakland Athletics unveiled their Spring Breakout roster on Thursday afternoon, introducing a new initiative from MLB where teams will engage in one or two showcase-style games against random opponents, featuring mainly prospects who have yet to debut in the major leagues. The Athletics are slated to play just one game in this series, scheduled for March 15th against the Giants.
Our 2024 Spring Breakout roster! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/6IxPyK4D9j
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 7, 2024
At the forefront of the Athletics’ roster is Jacob Wilson, their first-round draft pick from 2023. The young shortstop has demonstrated promise this spring, participating in five games and recording three hits in seven plate appearances.
Wilson showcased his skills primarily at High-A Lansing in 2023, boasting a .318 batting average with an .832 OPS and exhibiting strong defensive prowess at shortstop. As the Athletics’ number one prospect according to MLB Pipeline and ranked 68th overall, Wilson is poised for a bright future, with the Spring Breakout game providing a platform to compete against other top prospects and display his abilities.
Darell Hernaiz, another talented shortstop, is also generating excitement. Currently competing for a spot on the opening day roster in major league camp, Hernaiz has showcased his defensive acumen but has faced challenges at the plate during this spring.
However, his impressive performance in Double and Triple-A in 2023, where he accumulated a combined .321 batting average with an .841 OPS and stole 13 bases in 131 games, underscores his potential impact. While competing with Nick Allen for the major league position, Hernaiz’s youthful vigor promises an exciting season in Oakland.
Among the pitchers, Stevie Emanuels stands out as a standout prospect. The 25-year-old right-hander, despite not being ranked on MLB Pipeline’s list of Athletics’ prospects, has made significant strides in major league camp, demonstrating his capabilities.
Despite battling injuries in 2023, Emanuels showcased an impressive 2.04 ERA in nearly 40 innings, striking out over 33% of batters faced. While his previous volume may hinder an immediate promotion to Oakland in 2024, his high ceiling and potential as an impact pitcher for the A’s remain evident.
Despite initial evaluations, Emanuels’ performance last year speaks volumes about his potential impact in the big leagues if he maintains his momentum and continues to excel.