Youngsters making noise in camp
MESA, ARIZ. >> Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler were at different ends of the A's prospect spectrum when camp opened.
It's still early, but Soderstrom, the former firstround pick and A's current top prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and Butler, a former sixth-round pick and No. 17 ranked prospect, are both pushing to make their arrivals in Oakland sooner rather than later.
“It's just been fun to watch them play,” manager Mark Kotsay said Tuesday before the A's 9-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. “They definitely have some energy. They will most likely play together, whether it's at the start of this season, or it's at some point throughout the course of this season. Where that is to be determined. It's good to see they have a bond and are developing those relationships.”
The A's have a lot of fresh faces in camp as the franchise continues its latest rebuild after trading off most of its stars in the past 13 months. But perhaps no two players have stood out more this spring than Butler and Soderstrom. The pair of nonroster invitees have combined for eight extra-base hits, including two home runs and eight runs batted in across 28 total at-bats.
“It's nice to have those guys around you, it keeps you comfortable,” Soderstrom said about being surrounded by young teammates. “Knowing that you have a solid friend group around you and guys that have your back is always good. It's fun to be around that and it's a good environment.”
Soderstrom, one of the fastest-rising players in the minors last season, is hitting .375 in 16 at-bats this spring, spending most of his time behind the plate defensively. The 21-yearold is coming off a 2022 season in which he rose from High-A to Triple-A, playing in 134 games over three different levels and hitting .267 with 29 homers and 105 RBIs.
He finished the season playing nine games in Triple-A Las Vegas, where he nearly hit .300 in just under 40 at-bats.
Soderstrom isn't expected to open the season with Oakland, given veteran catcher Manny Piña, whom the A's acquired from the Braves in the Sean Murphy trade, and Shea Langeliers are the likely frontrunners to break from camp at the position. But Soderstrom is making a case for a spot.
“It's obviously really exciting,” Soderstrom said. “That's obviously my goal is to get to the big leagues and contribute to the A's and help us win.
“It means a lot to be seen as a good prospect and have that talent.”
The same case is being made by Butler, who is batting .571 and is the A's Cactus League leader in hits (eight), total bases (16) and RBIs (seven). He's also added two stolen bases and made some highlight-reel level plays in the outfield
Despite having never played a game above HighA, the 22-year-old has flashed “tools that you can project at the big-league level” thus far in his professional career and during camp, according to Kotsay.
“He plays with a passion and energy that is fun to watch,” Kotsay said. “He definitely has tools that you can project at the bigleague level. I think he just has to go out and play a full season and go out and perform.”
The 6-foot-3 outfielder, who played with the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League last year, said he's seen personal improvements in all phases of his game this spring.