It was reported by Melissa Lockard that the Oakland Athletics’ #20 prospect, Michael Ynoa, was promoted to High-A Stockton on Jun 30. Ynoa began the season with the Class-A Beloit Snappers, where he put up a 2.47 ERA and a 3.53 FIP. He’s got a 3 BB/9 and a 7.9 K/9 during that stint.
Yesterday the A's promoted Michael Ynoa to High-A Stockton.
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) July 1, 2013
Ynoa, originally signed in 2008 at the age of 16, suffered many setbacks due to injuries. He had elbow tendinitis in 2009 and he sat out 2011 thanks to Tommy John surgery. 2013 marks Ynoa’s first full season in pro ball.
Since Ynoa is still only 21, I don’t think that the A’s are in any rush to move him up through the organization. Spending the second half of the minor league season in one of the league’s most hitter friendly parks will help show the team if he needs more time to develop his pitches and his command. Especially since this is Ynoa’s first full pro season, it would be smart to not rush him. My guess is that he would finish the season in Stockton and, depending on his success this year, will start next year either with the Ports or with the Midland RockHounds. By next season, Ynoa would be 22 and I don’t think he would be too old for the California League if he were to repeat the level at the start of the 2014 season.
Stockton now has some of the A’s best prospects on their roster, including SS Addison Russell and RHP Raul Alcantara. After twelve games since the All-Star break, the Ports are currently in third place, with a 5-7 record.