8. Sean Murphy, C
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/10/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Stockton Ports, AA Midland RockHounds
2017 Stats: .250/.313/.410, 395 PA, 13 HR, 32/67 BB/K
Info: Considered one of the best catchers in a loaded college catching class in the 2016 draft, Murphy fell into the Oakland Athletics lap in the 3rd round, and they’ve enjoyed their luck ever since.
Murphy has hit just .246/.312/.393 as a pro thus far overall, but his defense has been at an elite level, and Murphy offers an impressive power swing that allowed him to belt 13 home runs in just 98 games this season.
His 2016 struggles were explained away due to a hamate injury, and his struggles in AA were likely due to some wear and tear overall, but once he got some rest under his legs, Murphy tore up the Arizona Fall League, hitting .309/.413/.368.
Murphy does have a solid eye at the plate with good zone recognition, and his big swing is able to be cut down to keep his strikeout numbers in check.
Offense isn’t going to be what pays the bills for Murphy, however. His double-plus arm, plus defense behind the plate, and highly-regarded handling of pitchers has him considered one of the top defensive backstops in all of the minor leagues.
After some injury issues to end 2017, Murphy needs to stay healthy for a full season in the minors, likely opening 2018 in AA again, but he could be challenging for the Oakland Athletics starting job as soon as 2019.
7. Sheldon Neuse, 3B/SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/10/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Hagerstown Suns, high-A Stockton Ports, AA Midland RockHounds
2017 Stats: .321/.382/.502, 490 PA, 16 HR, 14 SB, 40/112 BB/K
Info: Coming from the University of Oklahoma in 2016, many wondered if Neuse would be able to hold up defensively at shortstop and projected him to move to third base quickly as a professional due to a stocky lower half and plus arm strength.
After a rough go of things in his pro debut in the New York-Penn League, Neuse was ready for full season ball in 2017. He jumped up the ranks, splitting time between shortstop and third base nearly even, playing 61 games and third base and 51 and shortstop during the regular season across three levels and even playing 14 games at third and 4 games at short in the Arizona Fall League.
While Neuse jumped up three levels with impressive play on the season, it was his play in the Arizona Fall League that really turned heads
While Neuse jumped up three levels with impressive play on the season, it was his play in the Arizona Fall League that really turned heads. Neuse flashed his plus arm with impressive accuracy, and he also showed off his athleticism, making a few plays with range from the hot corner.
He was more notable with the stick in the AFL, hitting .314/.366/.570 with 7 doubles, 5 home runs, and showing impressive base running ability, in spite of not stealing any bases during the AFL. He did steal 14 during the regular season, however.
With his impressive instincts on the bases, plus arm, and power to all fields, Neuse could end up projecting in the outfield if the Oakland Athletics find themselves too full up on the infield, but his ability to handle both short and third could fare well down the line as an elite third baseman defensively as well.
Neuse should open the season in AA after finishing with just 18 games there in 2018, but he could bump up to the majors for a September call if AAA time goes well.
Next: #5 and #6