The Athletics Farm System: The Athletics’ farm system blends high-ceiling talent with volatile upside and steady depth, offering both impact potential and organizational stability.

Summary

The Athletics’ system is anchored by Leo De Vries, the clear centerpiece with explosive bat speed, advanced approach, and impact power at a young age. He’s joined by Tommy White, a middle-of-the-order bat with plus power, and Devin Taylor, whose OBP skills and corner outfield profile give him strong fantasy appeal. On the pitching side, Gage Jump and Jamie Arnold headline the pitching, while Wei-En Lin provides polished strike-throwing profiles that project as mid-rotation starters. Together, this top tier blends impact upside with stability.

The next group offers upside but comes with risk. Henry Bolte and Rodney Green both bring loud tools with power-speed potential, though strikeouts remain a concern. Steven Echavarria has shown velocity gains and an improved curveball, but his changeup development will determine whether he sticks in the rotation. Braden Nett flashes upper-90s heat and a promising slider, though health and command issues point toward a bullpen role. These players carry impact potential but must overcome volatility to reach it.

Depth options round out the system with useful but lower-ceiling profiles. Kade Morris is a durable workhorse with a sinker/sweeper mix, projecting as a back-end starter who can provide innings stability. Mason Barnett has a fastball/sweeper combo that misses bats, though his changeup remains a liability. Brennan Milone offers strong on-base skills and modest pop, projecting as a steady fourth or fifth outfielder. While not headline names, this group provides organizational depth and potential fantasy utility in deeper formats.

AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations

AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.

After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.

🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets

• Leo De Vries – Explosive bat speed, growing power, advanced approach; centerpiece prospect with star-level upside.

• Tommy White – Plus power, compact swing, corner bat with middle-of-order potential.
• Gage Jump – Polished lefty, plus changeup feel, command-driven mid-rotation ceiling with strikeouts.
• Jamie Arnold – He has a plus fastball-slider combination but his lower three-quarters delivery might work best in the bullpen.
• Wei-En Lin – Advanced strike-thrower, four-pitch mix, high-floor starter with sneaky whiff potential.

🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets

• Devin Taylor – Plus power, disciplined approach, corner outfield bat carries OBP-heavy fantasy value.
• Henry Bolte – Explosive speed/power, swing-and-miss risk threatens everyday role and floor.
• Rodney Green – Power-speed athlete, walk-driven approach, strikeouts define boom-or-bust trajectory.
• Steven Echavarria – Mid-rotation traits, fastball/curve tick up; changeup development unlocks ceiling.
• Braden Nett – Upper-90s heat, slider flashes; command/health push bullpen impact outcome.
• Kade Morris – Durable sinker/sweeper starter, strike-thrower, back-end innings with steady ratios.

🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets

To see the reset of the tiers, become a Patreon subscriber at Patreon.com/prospect361.

2026 Player Profiles

1. Leodalis De Vries (SS)

• Highest Level:  Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 10 SS
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: Explosive bat speed, growing power, advanced approach; centerpiece prospect with star-level upside.

Leo De Vries was the marquee signing of the 2024 international class, and his path has been anything but typical. Skipping both the DSL and Complex League, he opened 2025 in High-A as the youngest player in the league by nearly two years. The Padres, true to form, dealt him at the deadline in exchange for Mason Miller, a high-octane but injury-prone reliever. For the Athletics, the move was a calculated gamble, trading short-term bullpen volatility for the chance at a long-term cornerstone. De Vries’ age, pedigree, and rapid advancement make him one of the most intriguing building blocks in the Athletics’ system.

At the plate, De Vries shows advanced strike-zone awareness and rare discipline for his age, refusing to chase pitches and consistently working quality at-bats. His plus bat speed points toward future impact power, and as he matures physically, the over-the-fence pop should arrive in earnest. While he’s unlikely to be a major stolen base threat, the offensive projection is enticing: a potential .280/.350/.475 slash line with 25+ home runs. The comps are lofty—Carlos Correa as the realistic model, Corey Seager as the dream ceiling—but they underscore the blend of polish and projection that makes him stand out.

From a fantasy perspective, De Vries is still more projection than production, but the timeline is aggressive. He didn’t turn 19 until October, yet his MLB ETA remains 2026, with a legitimate chance to debut as a teenager. The stat line hasn’t fully caught up to the scouting reports, but both the Padres and Athletics have shown a willingness to push him quickly, already finishing 2025 in Double-A. Dynasty managers should treat him as a premium stash: the upside is franchise-level impact at shortstop, and even if the path includes growing pains, the payoff could be a top-5 fantasy asset at the position.

2. Gage Jump (LHP)

• Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP with upside or High-Leveraged Reliever
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: Polished lefty, plus changeup feel, command-driven mid-rotation ceiling with strikeouts.

Gage Jump was selected by the Athletics in the second round of the 2024 draft (Pick #73) out of LSU, immediately standing out as one of the more polished arms in their class. Though undersized at 5-foot-11, he brings a strong four-pitch mix highlighted by a fastball that sits 95–96 mph and can touch 98 with heavy ride through the zone. That pitch alone is difficult to square up, but it also amplifies the effectiveness of his secondaries. His hard curveball is the signature weapon, dropping sharply out of the zone, while his changeup is serviceable and plays well enough to keep right-handed hitters honest. Notably, he has shown no platoon splits, giving him a chance to stick as a starter.

The delivery does come with some effort, which raises questions about long-term reliability, but the stuff is undeniable. If he continues to throw strikes consistently, the ceiling is mid-rotation starter with flashes of more. His stature could make him susceptible to home runs, particularly against advanced hitters, but that hasn’t surfaced as a major issue yet. The Athletic’s development track record with pitchers is mixed, but Jump’s arsenal and competitive edge give him a chance to rise quickly through the system.

From a fantasy perspective, Jump is the type of arm worth stashing in Dynasty formats. The combination of velocity, a true out pitch in the curveball, and the ability to neutralize both sides of the plate makes him more than just a back-end starter candidate. While durability and size will always be part of the evaluation, the upside is a strikeout-heavy mid-rotation arm who could deliver strong ratios if the command holds.

3. Tommy White (3B)

• Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 -27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 3B
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: Plus power, compact swing, corner bat with middle-of-order potential.

Tommy White slipped to the first pick of the second round in the 2024 Draft, giving the Athletics a chance to secure a bat-first infielder with real upside. Assigned to High-A to open 2025, he quickly showed growth by improving his contact rate without sacrificing power. That progress carried into Double-A, where he maintained a strong 15% contact rate, reinforcing that the gains were sustainable. The Athletics appear to have landed value beyond his draft slot, and his trajectory suggests he could become a middle-of-the-order presence if the adjustments continue.

White’s offensive profile is built on aggression, which can be both a strength and a risk. He makes hard contact and has shown the ability to repeat improved swing decisions, but lifting the ball more consistently will be key to unlocking his full home run potential. The raw power is evident, and with continued refinement, he projects as a 25-homer threat at third base. While his approach may need tempering against advanced pitching, the strides he made in 2025 confirm that the Athletic’s bet on his bat is paying off.

From a fantasy perspective, White offers a clear path to value as a power-hitting corner infielder. The ceiling is a .260–.270 hitter with 25 home runs and an OBP roughly 60 points higher than his batting average, making him a useful contributor in both standard and OBP leagues. Speed will not be part of his game, so his fantasy profile leans heavily on power and run production. Dynasty managers should view him as a mid-tier prospect with upside: if the contact gains hold and the fly-ball rate ticks up, he could emerge as a reliable fantasy starter at third base.

4. Jamie Arnold (LHP, #11)

• Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Closer or Top 50 SP
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: He has a plus fastball-slider combination but his lower three-quarters delivery might work best in the bullpen.

Jamie Arnold turned heads at Florida State with back-to-back seasons of consistency and dominance, posting a 2.98 ERA each year while striking out 13 per nine and limiting walks to fewer than three per nine. His arsenal is highlighted by a fastball that sits 92–95 mph and touches 96, paired with a sharp, late-breaking slider that plays especially well from his lower three-quarters arm slot. He also mixes in a changeup with fading action, though it lags behind his two primary offerings. The delivery and pitch mix draw loose comparisons to Chris Sale, but at 6-foot-1, Arnold doesn’t carry the same physical intimidation or extension.

The question with Arnold is role. His stuff is good enough to start, but the effort in his delivery and reliance on two pitches point toward a bullpen future. If the Athletics leans into that path, dropping the changeup and focusing on the fastball-slider combo could accelerate his timeline to the majors, where he could become a high-leverage weapon. The Athletics have shown a willingness to push arms aggressively, and Arnold’s track record of strike-throwing suggests he could move quickly once his role is clarified.

From a Dynasty League perspective, Arnold is a risky investment in first-year player drafts. The chance he transitions to the bullpen is high, which caps his long-term value compared to more stable starting options. While the strikeout upside is real, relievers rarely provide the volume needed to anchor fantasy rotations. Dynasty managers should tread carefully: Arnold could emerge as a useful bullpen piece with strong ratios and strikeouts, but there are safer bets available at similar draft cost.

5. Wei-En Lin (LHP)

• Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 SP with upside
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: Advanced strike-thrower, four-pitch mix, high-floor starter with sneaky whiff potential.

Wei-En Lin joined the Athletics out of Taiwan in June 2024 and wasted no time making an impression in his first full season. He opened 2025 in Low-A, where he struck out 69 against just six walks in 50 innings, showcasing advanced command and poise. A midseason promotion to High-A brought more of the same across 30.1 innings, and he capped the year with two starts in Double-A before turning 20 in November. The rapid progression underscores both his polish and the Athletic’s confidence in his developmental trajectory.

Lin’s arsenal is built around a fastball-changeup combination, with the changeup standing out as a true weapon. It blends elements of a circle change and splitter, generating late tumble and deception that plays well against hitters from both sides. His fastball currently averages 91–92 mph and tops at 94, but at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, there’s room for added velocity as he matures physically. If the fastball ticks up and becomes more of a primary pitch, the pairing with his changeup could elevate him into a legitimate mid-rotation profile.

From a fantasy perspective, Lin is an under-the-radar arm who deserves attention in Dynasty formats. The strikeout-to-walk ratios already hint at a strong foundation, and the potential for added velocity makes him a classic “bet on the come” prospect. While he’s not yet a household name, now is the time to invest before broader recognition catches up. If the fastball develops as expected, Lin could emerge as a sneaky value play with mid-rotation upside and the kind of ratios that play well in fantasy rotations.

6. Devin Taylor (OF, #48)

• Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF with upside
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: Plus power, disciplined approach, corner outfield bat carries OBP-heavy fantasy value.

Devin Taylor was selected 48th overall in the 2025 Draft, signing for nearly $500,000 over slot—a rare overspend for a college bat. The Athletics were willing to pay up after his standout season at Indiana, where he slashed .374/.494/.706 with nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts, 18 home runs, and 12 steals. While the competition level was not elite, the production was undeniable, and the Athletics saw enough to make him one of their more aggressive signings.

Taylor’s professional debut came in Low-A, where he showed flashes of the same offensive upside. In 28 games, he hit .264 with six home runs, though his strikeout rate spiked to 29%. That swing-and-miss raises questions about whether his college contact rates were inflated by weaker pitching, but the underlying skills—power, patience, and zone awareness—remain intriguing. Defensively, he profiles as a below-average glove who will likely be pushed to a corner outfield spot, making his bat the clear carrying tool.

For fantasy managers, Taylor is a worthwhile target in the third or fourth round of FYPDs. The power is real, and his ability to draw walks should help stabilize his OBP even if the batting average fluctuates. With minimal speed and defensive limitations, his fantasy value hinges entirely on the bat, but the upside of a corner outfielder who can provide 20+ home runs at a discount draft cost makes him an appealing gamble. Dynasty players should take advantage of his modest price tag now, as his stock could rise quickly if the strikeout rate normalizes.

7. Henry Bolte (OF)

• Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF if he can make enough contact
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: Explosive speed/power, swing-and-miss risk threatens everyday role and floor. 

Henry Bolte was selected in the second round of the 2022 Draft and has steadily climbed the Athletic’s system with a toolsy profile that continues to intrigue evaluators. His 2025 season marked progress, as he posted his first sub-30% strikeout rate at 28.9% while swiping 44 bases and adding nine home runs across 114 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. The athleticism and speed are undeniable, and the flashes of power add to the appeal, but the swing-and-miss remains a central concern.

Bolte’s profile mirrors that of Denzel Clarke—another athletic outfielder with loud tools but significant contact issues. The question is whether Bolte can make enough adjustments to keep his strikeouts manageable and allow his speed-power blend to play at the highest level. Without improved bat-to-ball skills, he risks settling into a part-time role rather than becoming a lineup fixture.

For fantasy managers, Bolte is the definition of high-risk, high-reward. The upside is a Brendan Doyle-type contributor who can provide stolen bases and modest power, but the downside is a Sam Hilliard outcome—athletic tools that never translate into consistent production. Given his strikeout history, the safer bet leans toward the latter, though the stolen base potential keeps him relevant in deeper formats. Dynasty players should treat him as a speculative stash: the payoff could be impactful, but the floor is replacement-level.

8. Junior Perez (OF)

• Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: His power surged after his promotion to Vegas. He’s a plus runner and walks a lot. Plus, he hits the ball hard enough to suggest 15 home runs could be possible.

Junior Perez began his career as a Padres signee in 2018 before being traded to the Athletics in the Jorge Mateo deal, a transaction that has aged into a footnote but kept Perez on a steady developmental path. His 2025 season was a breakout, as he joined the rare 25-25 club with 26 home runs and 27 stolen bases. Speed has always been a hallmark of his game, but the power spike came after reaching Triple-A in the Pacific Coast League, where the hitter-friendly environment in Las Vegas inflated his slugging percentage. The raw numbers were impressive, but context tempers expectations.

Perez’s home/road splits tell the story: a .588 SLG at home compared to .378 on the road suggests his power surge was park-aided rather than a true transformation. Even so, he has consistently demonstrated patience at the plate, walking at a strong clip and avoiding chase despite the swing-and-miss in his game. That approach gives him a chance to carve out a role, though the bat may not be impactful enough to secure everyday status. His speed remains a legitimate weapon, and the combination of athleticism and plate discipline keeps him in the conversation as a near-ready option for the Athletics.

For fantasy managers, Perez offers intriguing but limited upside. The realistic projection is for a 12–20 type player who can contribute with stolen bases and provide modest pop, with batting average risk but an OBP north of .320 thanks to his walk rate. That profile could make him a useful part-time contributor, though the ceiling of a full-time regular is less certain. Dynasty players should treat him as a speculative add: the tools are attractive, but the inflated Triple-A power numbers and swing-and-miss tendencies suggest a tweener outcome is more likely.

9. Henry Baez (RHP)

• Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2025-26 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 SP
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: He’s a sinkerballer with an improved splitter who throws strikes.

Henry Baez signed with the Padres in 2021 and began to show real progress in 2024, tightening his command and sharpening both his curveball and splitter. That growth carried into 2025, where he posted a 2.39 ERA and leaned even more heavily on his improved splitter. His delivery still shows some effort, which once suggested a bullpen future, but the combination of control gains and a legitimate secondary weapon has shifted the outlook toward him remaining a starter. The Athletics now has a pitcher who looks more stable in a rotation role than previously projected.

Baez’s profile is not built on strikeouts, as his sinker is a pitch-to-contact offering that generates a high ground-ball rate (53%). That pitch is highly effective in limiting damage and keeping him efficient, even if it doesn’t rack up whiffs. The splitter adds swing-and-miss potential, but the overall package points more toward innings-eating reliability than frontline dominance. If he continues to throw strikes and maintain his ground-ball tendencies, he has the chance to settle into a rotation spot capable of logging heavy innings and producing steady results.

For fantasy managers, Baez is a sneaky under-the-radar arm in Dynasty formats. The lack of strikeouts caps his upside, but the potential for double-digit wins and a solid ERA makes him a useful depth piece, especially in leagues that value volume. His strong arm and improving arsenal suggest there’s still variance in his ceiling, but the floor looks sturdier than it did a year ago. Dynasty players should view him as a speculative add who could quietly provide value if he sticks in the rotation.

10. Daniel Susac (C)

• Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Second catcher
• Last Updated: 12/30/2025
• Tools Summary: Backup catcher profile, added loft, chase issues limit consistency and impact.

Daniel Susac was drafted by the Athletics in the first round of 2021 (pick #19), but his stock has steadily declined since entering pro ball. Once viewed as a potential cornerstone catcher, his profile now looks more like that of a backup. To his credit, Susac has added leverage to his swing, no longer pounding everything into the ground, and that adjustment has helped him tap into more power. Still, his approach remains problematic, with a 36% chase rate that undermines his ability to consistently control at-bats.

The 2025 season offered mixed signals. Susac improved his walk rate to 8.6%, though it’s unclear if that represents a true skill gain or simply variance. He did manage to hit 18 home runs with a .483 slugging percentage, showing that the swing changes have unlocked some thump. However, the overall offensive profile remains limited, and his defensive skill set doesn’t project as more than adequate. As a result, he looks more like organizational depth than a long-term solution behind the plate.

For fantasy managers, Susac is no longer the high-upside first-rounder he was once billed as. In deeper Dynasty formats, he could carve out value as a backup catcher who provides occasional power, but expectations should be tempered. The realistic outcome is a part-time role with modest home run totals, making him more of a fringe fantasy option than a true asset. Dynasty players should only consider him in leagues with expanded rosters, where catching depth carries added importance.

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