As if the Athletics weren’t already loaded with young outfield depth, another prospect is making his presence felt in spring training. 

Henry Bolte, 22, is off to a smoldering start with a .353 batting average through seven games played, including a 2-for-3 and one RBI performance in Monday’s game against the San Diego Padres. 

Ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, manager Mark Kotsay said he sees real promise in Bolte, along with the hype that comes with being a highly ranked prospect. 

“There’s a lot of us in that coaches’ room that think this kid has the ability to be a real star,” Kotsay said to reporters (h/t MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos). “He continues to make progress each year, both on the physicality side and the baseball side of just being a better hitter. 

“The tools, the talent and the ability all align with this kid having an impact in our organization, hopefully, sooner than later.” 

Bolte was selected by the A’s in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Palo Alto High School. His development has been rapid, playing 80 games in Double-A and 34 games in Triple-A in 2025. 

In his Triple-A stint, he finished the season with a .300 batting average, along with 10 extra-base hits and 14 RBI. His solid play in the minors earned him the No. 5 in MLB Pipeline’s 2025 ranking of the organization’s top 30 prospects. 

But, as always with prospects, there’s room for improvement. In Bolte’s case, the A’s would like to see him lower his 28.9 percent strikeout rate in his time in Double-A and Triple-A last season. 

Dealing with a wrist injury did not help him. But, undergoing a cleanup procedure on the wrist along with finetuning his mechanics, Bolte feels confident heading into 2026. 

“Just getting my swing and body to work together as one movement so I’m not fighting myself in one way or another, which might lead to some barrel inaccuracy or some swing-and-miss,” Bolte said. “There’s an approach aspect to it as well. But getting my body to move more cohesively as a swing has been a big focus.  

“I made some good strides last year with it and continued that this offseason and into spring.” 

With a packed outfield, it might take some time for Bolte to make his MLB debut with the A’s.  

Outfielders Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom have signed long-term extensions with the team. Denzel Clarke, despite some offensive struggles, appears to be the go-to in center field because of his defensive prowess.  

A couple of Bolte’s teammates on the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, Colby Thomas and Carlos Cortes, both saw major league action in 2025. 

But, with Clarke and Cortes soon stepping away for the World Baseball Classic, as well as Butler and Thomas rehabbing injuries, Bolte should see plenty of work in spring training for the Green and Gold.