{"id":6607,"date":"2023-07-11T20:22:55","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T03:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=6607"},"modified":"2023-07-11T20:23:53","modified_gmt":"2023-07-12T03:23:53","slug":"oakland-athletics-2023-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/07\/11\/oakland-athletics-2023-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Oakland Athletics 2023 Draft Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the 2023 Major League Baseball amateur player draft wrapping up, we will take a look at the top draft picks by the Oakland Athletics<\/a>. This is one of the most exciting times of the season for baseball teams and fans. Excitement surrounds all organizations, even those who are playing as poorly as the Athletics. Could one of the picks they made this year be the finishing piece they need in the future? Could they have drafted the face of their organization? In a year where so much is happening negatively on and off the field. Athletics fans can finally sit back, and think about future success rather than current failure.<\/p>\n

Focusing heavily on baseball IQ in the first few rounds, the Athletics waited until the later rounds to start focusing on drafting pitching. With so many holes in their roster, the Athletics were in a position to take the best possible player in each round, regardless of position. 11 of their 20 picks were pitchers, four were infielders, four were outfielders, and one was a catcher.<\/p>\n

A major trend that has started to form over the past few seasons from Athletics drafts is baseball families. Previously the Athletics drafted Tyler Soderstrom<\/a><\/strong> (2020), Logan Davidson<\/a><\/strong> (2019), and Daniel Susac<\/a><\/strong> (2022). Soderstrom and Davidson are the sons of former major leaguers, and Daniel Susac is the younger brother of former big leaguer Andrew Susac<\/strong><\/a>. This draft was no different with the Athletics selecting Jacob Wilson<\/strong><\/a>, Nathan Dettmer<\/strong><\/a>, and Jonah Cox<\/strong><\/a>. They are all sons of former major leaguers, as well as Myles Naylor, brother of Josh<\/strong><\/a> and Bo Naylor<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jacob Wilson (Grand Canyon University)<\/h4>\n

There were many big bats and power arms available when the Athletics made their pick in the first round. Instead, the Athletics chose to go with a high baseball IQ player in Jacob Wilson<\/strong><\/a> from Grand Canyon University<\/a>. It seems as though the A’s like drafting shortstops or catchers first overall. Those two positions tend to be the most athletic on the roster. This means that they can usually transition easily to playing other positions.<\/p>\n

In three seasons at GCU, Wilson proved that he was one of the best contact hitters in the country. In fact, he only struck out 31 times in 620 career at-bats in his three years of college. This season he only struck out five times in 200 at-bats. Clearly, the guy can put the bat on the ball. This season he slashed .411\/.461\/.635 with six home runs, 17 doubles, and 61 RBI. It will be interesting to see if he can continue to develop his power, or if he will stick to being a contact type of hitter his whole career.<\/p>\n

Myles Naylor (High School)<\/h4>\n

The Athletics selected Myles Naylor<\/strong><\/a> out of Mississauga, Ontario with their competitive balance pick. There are rounds in-between the first and second round and the second and third rounds of the draft. These picks go to the clubs from the 10 smallest markets in baseball as well as if you offer a qualifying offer to a free agent from your roster, who then signs with another team.<\/p>\n

Myles Naylor is the youngest brother of Josh and Bo Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians<\/a>. The right handed shortstop\/third baseman was the #64 prospect on MLB.com<\/a> draft board. He had a 55 grade on his power, arm, and fielding from scouts. Showing that he can succeed from both sides of the game. He was committed to Texas A&M University, but will most likely forgo college in order to play pro ball.<\/p>\n

Ryan Lasko (Rutgers University)<\/h4>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>