Every year, a handful of players ranked outside the top 10 in their respective farm systems take meaningful steps forward to improve their stock and vault up prospect rankings. Part of the fun is trying to identify those breakouts before it happens. So today, we\u2019re identifying Athletics prospects who have the potential to make a jump in 2026.<\/p>\n
To qualify, a player must rank outside the organization\u2019s preseason Top 10 prospects.\u00a0All scouting reports are from Baseball America\u2019s 2026 Prospect handbook, which you can purchase here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can find Top 30 prospect rankings\u00a0for all teams here<\/a>\u00a0and all breakout candidates here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Breakout Prospects<\/p>\n Shotaro Morii<\/a>, SS\/RHP<\/p>\n BA Grade\/Risk: 55\/High Track Record: The two-way talent eschewed a path to the Nippon Professional Baseball League and instead signed with the A\u2019s for $1.51 million in 2025 out of high school in Japan. Morii debuted in the Arizona Complex League and slashed .250\/.399\/.384 with three homers over 43 games. His pitching ramp-up was delayed, and he didn\u2019t appear on the mound during the regular season, though he logged innings in instructional league after the year.<\/p>\n Scouting Report: For an 18-year-old with little experience against premium pitching, Morii adapted quickly and showed surprising physicality. He has a discerning eye\u2014sometimes overly so\u2014and combines bat speed with barrel accuracy to pepper line drives to all fields. While he only hit three homers, Morii\u2019s underlying exit velocities were above-average for his age, though scouts don\u2019t see a ton of physical projection remaining, which could also impact his defensive home. He has an above-average arm but fringy range at shortstop that could one day push him to second or third base. On the mound, Morii is more raw. In limited looks, he showed a three-pitch mix fronted by a low-90s fastball along with decent feel for a splitter and a slider that acts more like a curveball, plus a smooth and repeatable delivery. <\/p>\n The Future: There\u2019s virtually no modern precedent for a two-way player who regularly spends time in the field. The A\u2019s plan to let Morii continue both roles in 2026 with Low-A Stockton, where he could rotate between infield duties, DH and a weekly mound appearance, though his long-term future is likely to come at the plate.<\/p>\n Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55 | Fastball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Split: 45 | Control: 55<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Adjusted Grade: 40<\/p>\n