Down on the farm

Neuse, also spent the year in Triple-a.

“There’s a group of position players, Richie Martin, Eli White, Tyler Ramirez, all of whom had great years in Midland and would look to be candidates to start the year in Vegas next year,” Forst said. “All these decisions are a ways away. Luckily, we’re not at a point with the major league club where I’m focused on the offseason yet, so we’ll have to figure that out when the season here in Oakland finally comes to an end.”

Another thing they’ll have to figure out is how to adapt from more of a pitchers’ park in Nashville to Las Vegas, where the ball flies.

“From a development standpoint, we’ll have to do some homework and maybe talk to the Mets people on how it affects some of the player development part of it, but again, no one knows quite yet how the new ballpark will play,” Forst said. “(We’re) dealing with a similar environment, but we’ll have to sort of hold off until we see how the ballpark plays.”

But all that aside, the Athletics are excited about their prospects walking into a new facility next April.

“I don’t have a ton of experience at Cashman Field, but playing in a dated facility in the big leagues, we’re aware of the effects that a dated facility can have,” Forst said. “Knowing that the Summerlin ballpark is going to be ready and the affect it has on our players and staff and our development is a big factor.”

Contact Betsy Helfand at bhelfand@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @ Betsyhelfand on Twitter. Athletics top prospects (per Mlbpipeline) 1. Jesus Luzardo, LHP 2. A.J. Puk, LHP 3. Sean Murphy, C 4. Kyler Murray, OF 5. Austin Beck, OF 6. Lazaro Armenteros, OF 7. Jorge Mateo, SS/OF 8. Jameson Hannah, OF 9. James Kaprielian, RHP

10. Sheldon Neuse, 3B