- 24 years old – ( LoA Beloit/ HiA Stockton / Double-A Midland)
- 7th round – 2015
- Friedrichs has received my highest score thus far for the American League. And why not, he was a workhorse in 2016. After throwing only 36 innings during his debut season in 2015 with Short-Season Vermont, he made 29 appearances (153 IP) going 6-9 with a 3.35 ERA. TPS, though, didn’t love that he lacked strikeouts (19%), but who can argue with the control. He issued only 16 walks and posted an 84% LOB rate. This performance will need to repeat in 2017 for Friedrichs to move-up the organization as he turns 25 years old at the end month; thusly falling off my UTR radar, which will occur anyway with a 2017 assignment at Double-A.
- 23 years old – (LoA Beloit / HiA Stockton)
- 25th round – 2015
- Manarino is almost a Friedrichs redux….doesn’t walk many (28), didn’t miss many bats (128), and pitched 150+ innings after only 38.2 at Vermont. Again impressive for both pitchers in their first full seasons. Manarino didn’t receive the same fast track like his counterpart Friedrichs, but his stock is higher being a lefty and having three secondary offerings that all rate outstanding. American League dynasty owners should keep close tabs on these two during their time at the level, especially in the California League.
- 23 years old – (LoA Beloit / Triple-A Nashville / HiA Stockton / Double-A Midland)
- 20th round – 2015
- My opening recap of the Athletic system explained about the misses, but halfway through this year’s UTR-OAS roster, it appears I won’t be repeating that theme going into 2018. The first two (hopefully) will be making their way through Triple-A just like Naile did in 2016. Though, Naile only got a taste last season, he ripped through four levels in 2016 leading the system in innings pitched (156.2). And just like the previous mentions, he got it done without much flash. He did flash the glove however, garnering the Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove award. Naile is another soft tosser that has a sinking fastball that will elicit weak contact and some swing & misses.
- 22 years old – (LoA Beloit)
- 14th round – 2015
- A pattern for A’s pitchers is emerging. Boomer only threw 11.1 innings in his 2015 pro debut with the AZL Athletics, then went off the charts in 2016 pushing Naile for the most innings pitched with 153.1 over 28 appearances. He also limits the free passes (2.2 BB9) and not striking out many (115). Biegalski’s top offering is his advanced changeup, which he uses to his advantage, but is heady in mixing his other pitches as well. He might not get away with the off-speed stuff as he advances to the next levels, so it’s something to watch.
- 22 years old – (LoA Beloit)
- International Free Agent – 2011
- The beat goes on. Duno returns as a UTR-OAS after missing a mention in 2015. He didn’t put up the numbers like his one-time teammates, as an injury slowed him mid-season, but the season was a consistent success. Duno just turned 23 this past Tuesday (Jan 10th) Happy Belated Birthday. He went 7-7 with a 2.68 ERA over 121 innings with 16 walks and 76 strikeouts. He has a projectable frame, but doesn’t throw the heat with an upper 80s fastball. He comes at hitters with a near plus-slider and will pick around the zone with his fastball that has movement.
- 23 years old – (HiA Stockton / AAA Nashville)
- International Free Agent – 2010
- 24 years old – (HiA Stockton / AA Midland)
- 11th round – 2013
- 23 years old – (HiA Stockton)
- 29th round – 2015
Under The Radar Minors 