Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!
The A’s have signed top draft pick Jamie Arnold for a bonus equal to his slot value. The big lefty has yet to hit the Top 100 on MLB Pipeline, which still omits new draftees. But Keith Law at the Athletic includes new picks on his latest Top 60 list, on which Arnold is included as the only Athletic at No. 43.
Law notes that Arnold is likely to rise to the majors quickly, just as the A’s last two top picks, Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz have done. The A’s have a lot of young talent moving quickly through the pipeline, but their current 2025 record of 43-62 suggests that they’ll need to finish their rebuild soon if their best more established players such as Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, and Mason Miller are still to be in the picture once the team’s competitive window opens.
If Arnold places in the upper half of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 in a future update, he may be the only Athletic to occupy that segment of the list. Currently, the A’s No. 1 prospect Gage Jump is ranked No. 64 overall, while No. 2 Luis Morales currently sits at No. 82. Having three arms in the Top 100 wouldn’t be a bad thing for the A’s, considering that the team’s biggest weakness this season has been pitching.
Have a wonderful weekend, AN.
A’s Coverage
MLB News & Interest:
Best of X:
Wilson getting some rest.
Just a day off from the starting lineup for Jacob Wilson. He’s available off the bench. Kotsay said they’ll manage his workload with occassional days off in the second half to “make sure he stays physically strong.”
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) July 24, 2025
New Top Ten.
MLB Pipeline’s updated A’s prospect list (without latest draft picks): 1) LHP Gage Jump, 2) RHP Luis Morales, 3) OF Colby Thomas, 4) OF Henry Bolte, 5) RHP Jack Perkins, 6) 3B Tommy White, 7) RHP Mason Barnett, 8) SS Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, 9) C Daniel Susac, 10) RHP Gunnar Hoglund
— Bill Moriarity – A’s Farm (@AthleticsFarm) July 24, 2025
Nine Ks in four hitless!