Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!
As expected, the A’s first round pick, left handed pitcher Jamie Arnold has taken the No. 2 spot behind newly acquired shortstop Leo De Vries. Arnold was Pipeline’s No.4 draft prospect this year, but to the A’s delight, the 21-year-old was still available when the team made the 11th overall pick. Arnold has drawn comparisons to Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale and is expected to move through the A’s minor league system quickly. Pipeline estimates a 2027 big league ETA for Arnold.
The A’s were generally lauded for their second round pick, as well. Bat-first outfielder Devin Taylor now sits at No. 9 on the A’s list with a 55 grade hit tool and 60 grade power to go along with “fringy” defensive skills.
As Martin Gallegos at MLB.com noted, the A’s have three more recent draftees in their updated Top 30: outfielder Gavin Turley (No. 14), right handed pitcher Zane Taylor (No. 29), and infielder Bobby Bozer (No. 30. The A’s also have four new Top 30 prospects that came from the Padres in return for Mason Miller and JP Sears—including De Vries, so it is fair to say that the team’s farm system has been nicely restocked this summer, and MLB.com has bumped the A’s system ranking to No. 14, seven rungs above their No. 21 preseason ranking.
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