10. James Kaprielian, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/2/1994 (24)
2017 teams/levels played for: none
2017 Stats: none
Info: Coming off of a dominant collegiate career, Kaprielian fit the mold of the type of loose arm that the New York Yankees specialize in maximizing velocity and movement on their stuff within their system, selecting him 16th overall in the 2015 draft out of UCLA.
He made just 5 appearances in his draft season, but those 5 were enough to really get some scouts buzzing, as he struck out 14 hitters over 11 1/3 innings, flashing premium raw stuff.
The Oakland Athletics made sure that Kaprielian’s big arm was part of the return for Sonny Gray from the Yankees
That led to a 2016 when Kaprielian missed much of the season due to a straight flexor tendon, posting 22 strikeouts to just 3 walks in 18 innings with an incredible amount of buzz on his raw stuff. He was able to pitch in the Arizona Fall League for 27 innings, posting an 8/26 BB/K.
The arm problems began again in spring of 2017, and after attempting to rest it, he ended up succumbing to Tommy John surgery, meaning he won’t be back until mid season in 2018.
The Oakland Athletics made sure that Kaprielian’s big arm was part of the return for Sonny Gray from the Yankees, even though he won’t be back until some point in the 2018 season. Whether he’ll be used in relief or as a starter this season once he returns is unsure, but the A’s still see him as a starter.
Once he’s back on the hill and has some time at extended spring, Kaprielian should open at high-A or AA.
9. Lazaro Armenteros, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/22/1999 (18)
2017 teams/levels played for: Dominican Summer League Athletics, Arizona Rookie League Athletics
2017 Stats: .276/.377/.443, 207 PA, 4 HR, 12 SB, 19/57 BB/K
Info: Armenteros took the route of his idol and fellow countryman Yoenis Cespedes when he signed with the Oakland Athletics in 2016 for $3 million as one of the more intriguing Cuban teen position prospects to come available to major league teams.
Armenteros has incredible raw power that can really flash in the cage, with some scouts stating he had double-plus shows in the cage. While he had the raw-ness of a player in his first pro experience, Armenteros showed some work left to do in his pitch and zone recognition at the plate to maximize his offensive gifts.
In the field, Armenteros is going to be a guy who is a corner guy for sure due to his body likely filling out, and because of his low-level arm strength, he’ll be confined to left field or DH. The bat, however, is good enough to make all of that worth working with.
The Oakland Athletics know that Armenteros’ bat is his key, and they’ll be smart with pushing him too quickly, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he opens in extended spring this year before heading out to low-A after a month or so of the season has passed.
Next: #7 and #8