Nick Allen optioned to make room
The youth movement continues. The Athletics are set to call up third base prospect Brett Harris from Triple-A, according to Robert Murray of FanSided:
Source: The Oakland A’s are calling up infield prospect Brett Harris. The 25-year-old is rated as the team’s No. 9 prospect by @MLBPipeline.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) May 3, 2024
This will be Harris’ first call up to the big league roster. A 7th-round pick back in 2021, Harris has steadily ascended the minor league ladder, making it to Triple-A last year for 36 games at the highest level of minor league ball. That’s where he started this year and he has now earned his first big league promotion after three years in the minor leagues. At 26 he is a bit older for a prospect about to make his major league debut but the Athletics have never shied away from giving older prospects chances. Josh Donaldson didn’t get his first full chance until he was 26, so there’s that nice comparison.
A third baseman out of Gonzaga, the right-handed Harris is an above-average defender at the hot corner. That’s probably where we can expect to see him most but he also has experience at second base so we could see him there with Zack Gelof on the IL for the foreseeable future. He’s also got a bit of speed in his game so we could expect to see him swipe some bags or do some pinch-running off the bench.
Harris is a contact-oriented player who has some pop at the plate. He’s never going to wow with the power but he’s also a rare breed in today’s game in that he avoids strikeouts while still drawing his walks. That patient approach at the plate is his bread and butter but the hope is that he still has some untapped power left in his development. It seems like he doesn’t have much more to prove in the minors at this point as he’s been among the Aviators’ top hitters this season.
Harris will join fellow infielder JD Davis on the active roster, who is now set to come off the IL:
A’s moves:
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) May 3, 2024
- 3B Brett Harris selected from Triple-A
- 3B/1B J.D. Davis reinstated from IL
- SS Nick Allen optioned to Triple-A
- RHP Freddy Tarnok transferred to 60-day IL
1B Ryan Noda was also optioned yesterday
Davis will come off the IL after four games in Triple-A. Initially put on the IL with a right groin strain, Davis should could be an option at either infield corner but with Noda gone could see a healthy amount of playing time at first base, possibly in a platoon with Seth Brown. If the club wanted both Harris and Davis in the same lineup then you’d likely see Davis at first base while Harris mans the hot corner. We’ll see how it plays out.
To make room on the roster for Davis and Harris, the club optioned shortstop Nick Allen to Triple-A. Once considered the long-term answer at shortstop, Allen just hasn’t been able to hit major league pitching in three years. This season has been even worse as he’s slashing just .171/.227/.243 with just one home run and no stolen bases. The defense has always been solid but that slash line has made his spot in the lineup a black hole. Maybe he can figure it out on his fourth try but his time with the organization may be nearing an end as he’s now out of options. Darell Hernaiz is now the only shortstop on the active roster and it looks like the club is ready to see what they have in him.
And finally, to make room on the 40-man roster the club transferred Freddy Tarnok to the 60-day IL. It seemed like a formality at this point with his hip issues still around. Hopefully he can just figure out a way to get healthy before the season is out.
