The 2024 draft for the Oakland A’s had a familiar feel, reminiscent of the “Moneyball” era. The team heavily favored college players, with a majority of their top picks coming from collegiate programs. This strategy deviated from recent years when the A’s had dipped into the high school talent pool.
Scouting director Eric Kubota noted that the draft class composition was not driven by nostalgia but rather the strengths of this particular class. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting that the A’s selected only two high school players in the top 10 rounds and only three high schoolers in total.
The A’s focused on position players in the early rounds, selecting eight out of their first 11 picks. Rutgers shortstop Josh Kuroda-Grauer was their first pick on Day 2. Known for his athleticism and ability to make contact, Kuroda-Grauer has strong utility potential. The A’s followed with Cal outfielder Rodney Green in Round 4. Despite struggling in the spring, Green possesses impressive speed and power tools, though his hit tool has been a question throughout his collegiate career.
According to Kubota, Green showed incremental improvements at the plate during the season, and the A’s believe there is room for further growth. This optimism is supported by his high ceiling, which includes plus raw power, speed, and defense in center field.
Another local product, Davis Diaz from Vanderbilt, was selected by the A’s in Round 5. Although primarily an infielder in college, the A’s announced him as a catcher due to his versatility. Kubota mentioned that Diaz’s ability in the infield, combined with the potential to catch, enhances his prospect status.
The A’s added one college pitcher on Day 2, right-hander Sam Stuhr from Portland. Stuhr made a name for himself with a strong performance earlier in the season, showcasing a big fastball and two dynamic breaking balls. The A’s hope to see continued improvement from Stuhr as they believe they have only scratched the surface of his potential.
While the A’s had the fourth overall pick in Round 1, they were the first team to select players in subsequent rounds. This allowed them to acquire players who may have fallen from their projected positions. The A’s were particularly pleased with the selection of Texas Tech right-hander Kyle Robinson in Round 11 and Texas A&M shortstop Ali Camarillo in Round 12. Both players were projected as Day 2 picks, and the team expects to sign them.
Robinson’s high strikeout rate and physicality stood out to the A’s, despite his ERA. They believe there is untapped potential in him, especially with his impressive changeup. Camarillo, who transferred to Texas A&M from Cal-State, Northridge, performed well defensively and offensively. His availability in the 12th round was a pleasant surprise for the A’s.
The rest of Day 3 focused on filling positional needs, particularly pitching. However, the A’s took a chance on prep left-hander Dylan Volantis in Round 20. Although it is unlikely they will have enough pool money to persuade him to forgo his commitment to USC, the A’s could allocate funds if any unexpected circumstances arise.
Overall, the A’s had a draft class that emphasized college players, mirroring the “Moneyball” approach that has defined the organization for years. While the draft composition was driven by the strengths of this particular class, the A’s are optimistic about the potential and versatility of their picks. With a combination of established collegiate talent and high-ceiling prospects, the A’s aim to strengthen their farm system and secure future success.