Following Baseball America’s release of the Top 30 Athletics prospects for 2026, attention now turns to ten promising players who narrowly missed inclusion but continue to demonstrate potential for MLB impact. These athletes, scattered across various minor league levels, represent possible breakout candidates with skill sets that could advance the Athletics’ future roster beyond the well-known top-tier group.
Each of these players brings a unique combination of abilities and developmental traits that warrant close observation through the upcoming seasons.
Pitching Depth Includes Commanding Lefties and Power Arms
Among pitchers, 24-year-old Zhuang serves as a reliable minor league option with a diverse pitch mix and solid control. His fastball velocity ranges from 88 to 96 mph, paired with a fading changeup in the low 80s, supplemented by a slider, curveball, and splitter. Scouts view him as a potential starter capable of moving between levels, although questions remain about his capacity to consistently challenge major league hitters.
Grant Richardson, a left-handed pitcher who missed the 2024 season due to elbow surgery, was a sixth-round pick in 2025 after strong performances at Grand Canyon. His fastball can reach 97 mph, complemented by a sharp gyro slider and developing changeup. Maintaining the effectiveness of his third pitch will be critical, as Richardson’s twin-pitch approach and college arm mechanics previously raised durability concerns.
Jefferson Jean, age 20, exhibits impressive raw velocity with a fastball touching 98 mph and the system’s top slider. Despite promising tools, he struggled with control in Low-A Stockton during 2025, issuing walks at a 14.6% rate and hitting batters with alarming frequency. As a result, his power pitching profile may eventually find a better fit in bullpen roles rather than starting assignments.
Infielders Display Versatility and Contact Skills
Euribiel Angeles, now 23, overcame a lengthy stay in High-A Lansing to reach Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025. Known for exceptional bat-to-ball ability and contact hitting, his highly aggressive approach and low launch angles limit power output, projecting him as a reliable utility infielder capable of steady contributions across multiple positions.
Diego Duran, a 2026 international signee valued at $1.05 million, is a young, well-rounded shortstop prospect with excellent defensive skills and a strong arm. The right-handed hitter currently demonstrates gap-to-gap doubles power that could increase with physical maturity, while his above-average running skill enhances his defensive range and baserunning impact.
Davis Diaz, initially an infielder from Vanderbilt drafted in 2024, has since been converted to catcher. Diaz performed primarily behind the plate in 2025, exhibiting a patient approach and defensive versatility, having also played second and third base. His blend of bat-to-ball skills and adaptability offers potential if he can tap into more impactful offensive production.
Outfield Talent Boasts Raw Power and Speed Potential
Nate Nankil brings athleticism and power potential despite a pull-heavy swing hindering his offensive output in 2025. Showing an 80.8% contact rate with solid baserunning capabilities, he is expected to be capable of covering all three outfield positions with effectiveness.
Tyler Leary, selected in the tenth round from Boston College in 2024, stands out as one of the Athletics’ fastest baserunners with promising power upside. Efforts to reduce his swing-and-miss tendencies and refine his timing on high fastballs have been a focus, as his left field defense remains solid if his arm improves.
Donovan Green, a 2024 fourth-round pick from California signed for $1 million, displays a rare blend of speed and power but has struggled with strikeouts. He made contact during his brief 2024 debut but regressed in 2025, striking out over 33% of the time at High-A before returning to Low-A. His defensive skills and speed in center field position him well, though improving contact remains a priority.
Catcher Fien Shows Promise with Both Power and Defense
At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, 19-year-old switch-hitting catcher Fien impressed with offensive feel during his 2025 campaign at Low-A Stockton. The Athletics anticipate he will develop above-average raw power over time, particularly benefiting from his opposite-field contact as a left-handed batter. However, his defensive skills behind the plate have lagged since his high school days and continue to require development.
Potential Impact and Future Outlook
This group of ten Athletics prospects reflects a valuable layer of organizational depth beyond the well-publicized top 30 list. Their varied skill sets — from pitching versatility to defensive flexibility and hitting potential — could prove essential to the Athletics’ long-term success. Monitoring their progression will reveal who might break into the major league roster or become key trade assets in the coming years. As these players develop, they add to the hopeful energy surrounding the Athletics’ prospect pipeline for 2026 and beyond.
