Former NYPL Prospects Listed in Baseball America's Prospect Handbook (part 2)

It's that time of year. I'm going through my copy of the 2019 Prospect Handbook published by Baseball America. It is available directly from the publisher and at Amazon and is highly recommended.

Credit: Baseball America

Here are the former Vermont Lake Monsters who are listed in the top 30 prospects of the Oakland Athletics. Link their Baseball Reference page by clicking on the player's name.

1. Jesus Luzardo, pitcher (2017). Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round in 2016, but did not play that season due to Tommy John surgery. Traded to Athletics on July 16, 2017. Started five games for the Lake Monsters (1-0, 2.00 ERA, 0.889 WHIP).

2. A.J. Puk, pitcher (2016). First round pick by Athletics in 2016. Started 10 games for the Lake Monsters (0-4, 3.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP). Did not play in 2018 after having Tommy John surgery in April.

3. Sean Murphy, catcher (2016). Played in 22 games for the Lake Monsters. Has been slowed by injuries, but should play for AAA Las Vegas this season.

7. Jameson Hannah, outfielder (2018). Played in 23 games for the Lake Monsters after being drafted in the second round.

8. Eli White, infielder (2016). NOTE: White was traded to the Texas Rangers on December 21, 2018 and is a non-roster invitee to the Rangers spring training camp this season. He played in 64 games for the Lake Monsters in 2016.

11.  Greg Deichmann, outfielder (2017). A second round pick by the Athletics in 2016, he played in 46 games for the Lake Monsters. Slowed by injury in 2018. Should make it to AA Midland RockHounds in 2019.

15. Parker Dunshee, pitcher (2017). Pitched 38.1 scoreless innings for the Lake Monsters in 2017 (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.600 WHIP). May make it to the Athletics late this season or sometime in 2020.

16. Brian Howard, pitcher (2017). Eighth round pick out of Texas Christian in 2017. Big (6'9") and thin (185 lbs.). Was 2-1 with 1.15 ERA and 0.734 WHIP for Lake Monsters. Played 2018 with AA Midland in the Texas League.

19. Alphonso Rivas, first baseman (2018). Drafted in the fourth round of Arizona, he played in 61 games for the Lake Monsters (.285/.397/.383).

20. Skye Bolt, outfielder (2015). Played in 52 games for the Lake Monsters after being drafted in the fourth round out of North Carolina in 2015. Spent the 2018 season with Stockton (Advanced A) and Midland (AA). On Athletics' 40-man roster.

21. Luis Barrera, outfielder (2016). Played in 41 games for the 2016 Lake Monsters (.800 OPS).  On Athletics' 40-man roster. Optioned to AAA Las Vegas on March 3, 2019.

22. Kevin Merrell, shortstop (2017; rehab 2018). Played in 31 games for the Lake Monsters in 2017 (.786 OPS). He was slowed by injuries in 2018 and spent a 5 game rehab assignment with Vermont.

24. Tyler Ramirez, outfielder (2016). Played in 48 games for the Lake Monsters after being drafted in the seventh round out of North Carolina. Was a mid-season All-Star in 2017 and 2018 with Stockton in the California League and Midland in the Texas League, respectfully.

25. Gus Varland, pitcher (2018). Drafted in the 14th round of the draft, Varland pitched in seven games for the Lake Monsters (0-1, 1.02 ERA, 1.019 WHIP). May make it Midland some time in 2019.

27. Brady Feigl, pitcher (2018). Drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Mississippi. Pitched 20 innings for the Lake Monsters (1-1, 1.35 ERA, 0.650 WHIP).

NOTE: Other A's top 30 prospects who played in the New York-Penn League:

10. Sheldon Neuse played for the Auburn Doubledays in 2016. The Washington Nationals traded Neuse to the A's in 2017.

13. James Kaprielian played for the Staten Island Yankees in 2015. The New York Yankees traded him to the A's in 2017 while he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.

30. Jonah Heim played for the Aberdeen IronBirds in 2014. The Baltimore Orioles traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016, and the Rays traded Heim to the A's after the 2017 season.

NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League or any of its teams