A’s take plenty of position players in next 9 rounds

The A’s brought another Max Muncy, a shortstop out of Thousand Oaks High School, into the organization with their first-round pick and 25th overall on the first day of the 2021 MLB draft. On Day 2 of the draft, the A’s stocked up on more position players with two pitchers sprinkled in.

ROUND 2, THIRD BASEMAN ZACK GELOF, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Gelof, 21, led his Virginia team in most offensive categories, including doubles (18) and tied for first with nine home runs. He had 32 walks and 40 strikeouts in 260 at-bats with the Cavaliers in the 2021 season. The A’s see him as an everyday third baseman who is “physical and very athletic for how physical he is,” scouting director Eric Kubota said.

“We think he has a chance to be a really good hitter,” he said, adding there’s potential for some untapped power in his bat.

Gelof said A’s third baseman

Matt Chapman is his go-to guy to watch defensive highlights.

“I know they have a first-class organization, they develop players and they want to win, so I think it’s a great fit,” Gelof said.

ROUND 3, RHP MASON MILLER, GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY

Miller has a fastball that’s hit 100 mph on some radar guns, according to Kubota. At GardnerWebb, where he is the second-highest draft pick to come out of the university, Miller recorded a 3.30 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 15 appearances. He had a season-high 13 strikeouts in a game in March and struck out 10 or more batters in seven appearances. Miller is a 6-foot-5, 205-pound right-handed pitcher.

“We think there’s tremendous upside with body and strength and strike-throwing ability,” Kubota said.

ROUND 4. OUTFIELDER DENZEL CLARKE, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE

Clarke first caught the A’s eyes three years ago during his time with the Canadian Junior National team.

“Tremendous upside, imposing physically,” Kubota said. “Top of the chart speed, all kinds of power potential, tremendous upside with Denzel.”

Clarke was named Big West defensive player of the year in 2021 for his play in center field for CSUN, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage and two outfield assists. He batted .324 with a .335 on-base percentage and .570 slugging percentage with eight home runs and a career-high 46 hits, 30 runs, 26 walks, 25 RBIs and 11 doubles.

ROUND 5, CATCHER CJ RODRIGUEZ, VANDERBILT

Rodriguez, 21, has some experience catching elite pitching after a few seasons behind the plate throwing down signs for firstrounders Jake Leiter and Kumar Rocker.

“We really like the way he catches the baseball, we like the arm strength,” Kubota said. “He controls the strike zone, combo of defense and the ability to control the zone and perform on the offensive side as well.”

The 5-10 catcher is a defensefirst catcher with nine doubles and five home runs. He shows considerable plate discipline, posting 36 walks with 19 strikeouts, slashing .249/.393/.378 in 185 at-bats in 2021.

ROUND 6, RHP GRANT HOLMAN, CAL

Local kid Holman, 21, is a 6-6, 250-pound right-handed pitcher who the A’s see as having starter potential. He was a two-way player at Cal before switching primarily to pitcher in 2021.

Holman had a 3.83 ERA in 2021 with 22 walks and 46 strikeouts in 47 innings.

“We strongly believe he’s a starting pitcher, his athleticism allows him to repeat his delivery,” Kubota said.

ROUND 7, THIRD BASEMAN BRETT HARRIS, GONZAGA

ROUND 8, SHORTSTOP DREW SWIFT, ARIZONA STATE

ROUND 9, CATCHER SHANE MCGUIRE, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO ROUND 10, SHORTSTOP JACK WINKLER, USF