Assessing the Potential of the Athletics' Emerging Young Hitters

The Oakland Athletics encountered significant injuries within their promising lineup this past season, impacting their overall offensive performance. Star players like Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and Tyler Soderstrom missed significant portions of the year. Following a 12th place finish in scoring during 2025, the team dropped to 20th in 2026.

The roster turnover opened the door for some inexperienced players to step in, presenting an opportunity for the A's to evaluate potential contributors for the 2027 season. Let's explore several of these young hitters and their prospects within the A's plans for the upcoming year.

Henry Bolte

Henry Bolte, who started the season in Triple-A, quickly established himself as a standout, boasting an impressive .348/.418/.658 slash line along with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases in just 37 games at Las Vegas. His big-league debut came in mid-May, but early struggles saw him carrying a .690 OPS into the All-Star Break.

However, Bolte turned his season around dramatically in the final two months, with a .307 batting average, eight home runs, and nine stolen bases from August onward, contributing 37 runs over 52 games while anchoring the leadoff spot. His September performance was particularly striking, as he finished the month with a .945 OPS. On defense, Bolte also shone in center field, registering 5 Defensive Runs Saved, which solidifies his chances of claiming the starting role come Opening Day next season.

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer

In a late-season push, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer was offered a look at everyday reps in the A's infield after showcasing newfound power in the minors. In a brief sample of 21 games, he produced a 146 wRC+ before suffering an untimely injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the second half.

Despite his high-contact, low-power hitting style not aligning with current league trends, Kuroda-Grauer, who can play multiple infield positions, offers versatility the team values. There's optimism regarding his offensive potential, although he may start the year back in Las Vegas to further develop his skills.

Tommy White

Tommy White, known as ‘Tommy Tanks’, joined the Athletics post-All-Star Break but had a challenging season, finishing with a .600 OPS over 56 games split between first and third base. While he has a solid minor league power track record with 10 home runs in 76 games, his transition to MLB hasn't yielded significant production.

Given the presence of Kurtz at first base and Rooker as the primary designated hitter, alongside Langeliers' occasional appearances at DH, White's path to meaningful playing time is obstructed without additional injuries on the roster.

Denzel Clarke

Denzel Clarke faced setbacks due to a foot injury, limiting him to just 40 games this season. Initially named the Opening Day center fielder, Clarke was sidelined from May through August. His offensive struggles were pronounced, as reflected in his .409 OPS during his brief appearances.

With a 49 wRC+ over two MLB seasons, Clarke’s calling card remains his defense, though he'll need to recover and improve offensively to regain a stable role within the organization, likely as a fourth outfielder moving forward.

Carlos Cortes

Although a little older, Carlos Cortes still qualifies as young in terms of MLB experience. He made the roster this season after seeing action in the second half of 2025, ultimately compiling a 93 wRC+ across 381 plate appearances, mostly against right-handed pitchers.

Cortes performed slightly better against left-handed pitching, suggesting possible platoon value. However, his defensive struggles (-9 Defensive Runs Saved) in the corners limit his utility. With the current depth chart filled with left-handed hitters, including Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler, it may be difficult for him to find a solid role.

As the Athletics assess their young talent, each player's trajectory for the upcoming season remains crucial, with the potential for growth evident despite a challenging season.

Photo courtesy of Sergio Estrada, Imagn Images