Athletics Add 21 Players in MLB Draft

The Athletics expanded their roster by picking up 21 prospects this weekend, with 11 of those selections being pitchers and all but two coming from college programs. The club spent nearly its entire signing bonus pool of $13,840,300 on players from the first ten rounds, signaling a strong preference for collegiate talent. This strategy should shorten the development timeline compared to high‑school signings that often require longer commitments. The draft took place amid the All‑Star festivities in Philadelphia, and the A’s used the opportunity to build depth for their future Las Vegas affiliation. Overall, the approach reflects a clear shift toward proven college athletes.

Day 1 Draft Highlights

Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress went eighth overall and brings a .357 batting average, 60 home runs and a 1.204 OPS from three seasons. The 5‑foot‑9 hitter also fields well in center field and projects as a quick riser to the major leagues. The second round saw USC left‑handed pitcher Mason Edwards, named Baseball America’s collegiate pitcher of the year and the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. Edwards led the NCAA with 169 strikeouts this spring and joins a trio of promising left‑handers that includes Gage Jump, Jamie Arnold and Wei‑En Lin. Rounding out the early rounds, NC State right‑hander Jacob Dudan was taken in the third round; his combo fastball and slider earned him ace status before a Tommy John surgery sidelined him. The A’s finished day one with UCLA infielder Roman Martin, a solid college player who received less attention due to the top overall pick.

Day 2 Picks to Watch

• Caden Sivrich, a right‑handed pitcher from Norwin High School in Pennsylvania, was selected in the 14th round and remains committed to Pitt.
• Left‑handed pitcher Jake Escalante from Soquel High School in California followed in the 19th round and is bound for Cal State Fullerton.
• Nathan Aceves, a 12th‑round pick from UCSB, features a mid‑90s fastball and a plus changeup, skills that could translate quickly to the pro ranks.
• Campbell University hurler David Rossow, this year’s CAA Pitcher of the Year, could add depth to the A’s rotation.
• Catcher Alex Sosa from Miami (FL) gives the club another young receiving option as Shea Langeliers approaches free agency.
• Javar Williams, a Wake Forest outfielder, and Tanner Marsh, an Liberty infielder, round out the later‑round sleepers.

The A’s concentration on college talent means they are likely to bring players to the majors faster than typical high‑school signees. Previous A’s drafts have produced Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz and Gage Jump, all of whom reached the big leagues, so the organization hopes this class follows a similar path. However, lacking a highly ranked high‑school pitcher or position player could leave a balance gap in the future roster construction. The heavy allocation of the signing bonus pool also puts pressure on early development to see returns. As the season progresses, the Athletics may find themselves back in the lottery if they miss the playoffs, giving them another chance to tweak their draft philosophy.

Future Outlook for the Athletics

If the A’s can regain momentum in the second half, they’ll avoid the draft lottery and keep the current pipeline of college talent intact. Should they tumble to the bottom, next year’s draft could be an opportunity to add a marquee high‑school prospect to complement the collegiate core. The rapid rise of players like Burress and Edwards suggests the organization is building a competitive foundation for Las Vegas. Keeping the signing bonus pool utilization high signals confidence in these prospects’ pro potential. Fans will watch closely to see which of the new picks reaches the majors first and how they fit into the A’s rebuilding timeline.