Elephant Rumblings: Top prospects shine in Triple-A debuts

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

Just for a moment, let’s look at a pair of positives to start off the week, rather than dwell on stuff like the A’s losing one-run games all weekend like it was 2014 again, or Reggie’s rather dreary assessment of the A’s future in Oakland.

If there is a future for the A’s in the East Bay, top prospects Zack Gelof and Mason Miller might be prominent features of a true New Oakland. Both got off to great starts in their new assignments with the Las Vegas Aviators last week.

Gelof, in the Aviators lineup as second baseman, went 3-for-10 with a double in his first week with the team. That’s not bad at all, but toss in five walks along with that trio of hits and you’ve got a .533 OBP! There’s small sample magic in there for sure, and young Zack also managed to strike out six times in between all those hits and walks, but his bottom line so far befits his No. 2 prospect ranking.

No. 3 prospect Miller was positively prodigious in his first start on the mound for the Aviators last Friday. He threw five hitless innings, struck out 11 and walked none—and he did in with just 64 pitches, over a third of which hit triple digits on the radar.

Both Gelof and Miller seem likely to get big league looks at some point this year, and the A’s could certainly use a talent infusion at the MLB level. The need for better starting pitching is particularly dire—yes, Paul Blackburn and Drew Rucinski should be back in the A’s rotation soon. That could help, but I expect the picture will remain fluid and some issues will persist. How aggressive should the A’s be in promoting their most promising youngsters?

A’s Coverage:

• Willis: A’s watch late lead slip away in 4-3 loss to Mets
• Nico: Why This Jackie Robinson Day Was So Special For The Blogfather
• Kawahara: At 1973 A’s reunion, Reggie Jackson shares doubts about team’s future in Oakland ($)
• Gallegos: How A’s top prospects fared in Triple-A debuts

MLB News & Interest:

• Leitch: End to historic win streak shakes up Power Rankings
• Polishuk: East Notes: Fried, Bello, Red Sox, Donaldson, Bader, Garcia
• Deeds: Yankees Recall Oswald Peraza, Place Giancarlo Stanton On 10-Day Injured List
• Deeds: Dodgers Sign Austin Wynns To Major League Deal, Place Will Smith On 7-Day Concussion IL
• Sammon and Britton: Mets call up star 3B prospect Brett Baty, per sources: How can he help the Mets? ($)
• Maguire: 11 years ago, Jamie Moyer was winning games at 49 years old
• Park: Mirandas enjoy Bronx-style family reunion
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Roster moves.

Um, Miller kind of looks more ready than Blackburn.

Reggie sounded a bit more hopeful here about the A’s staying in Oakland than in remarks he made earlier.

Reggie carries the ‘73 Trophy onto the field.

Comfy Canha.

An all-out swing connects for Butler.

Thomas gets POTD honors.