The seventh round of the Prospect Athletics draft closed faster than expected. No tension. No close competition. Johenssy Colome almost “ran alone” to the finish line, and in doing so, he officially cemented his place in the elite group of the A’s farm system.
Colome is only 17 years old. The road to MLB is still long. But his right-handed bat is already big enough to grab attention. His raw power, developing physique, and ability to handle shortstops now—or transition to third base in the future—make Colome one of the most exciting projects A’s is nurturing. A true power-hitting third baseman is something every organization craves.
Colome’s rise opens a new gap in the nomination list—and the name entering it is Devin Taylor, the outfielder selected by A’s in the second round of the most recent draft. Taylor represents a different kind of prospect: less of an unknown quantity, closer to MLB, and with the potential for rapid progress if the club continues to speak for itself.
Taylor is 22 years old, older than the average at his level. He doesn’t possess outstanding defensive value, but he compensates with a very genuine hitting ability. Bat speed, power in all directions, control of the strike zone—all suggest a hitter profile that could help the team much sooner than teenage projects.
And that’s the spirit of the eighth round of voting.
This year’s list of nominees doesn’t have a single clear “right” answer. Each name represents a different development philosophy of A’s.
Tommy White is proven strength. Not overly flashy. Not too many swing-and-misses. A club good enough to reach MLB, but the defensive position could be a long-term question—especially with Nick Kurtz already in first base.
Shotaro Morii is the biggest unknown quantity. A two-way player from Japan, with a smooth swing, strong arm, and potential not yet locked into a single path. Placing Morii at #8 is a gamble on upside — and on patience.
Steven Echavarria is a test of faith in pitching development. Stuff is better than the statistics. Velocity is real. But command is still something to wait for. Voting for Echavarria is voting on the belief that A’s will “unlock” this arm.
Edgar Montero, on the other hand, represents balance. Switch-hitter, mature approach, significantly improved physique, and the ability to stay at the shortstop. Not outstanding in one tool, but good enough in all aspects to make people believe in a true MLB profile.
The question of this round isn’t simply: who’s the best?
But rather: what do A’s fans believe in more — upside, safety, or speed to MLB?
Because from #8 onwards, the order isn’t just a number. It reflects how the community views the future of the entire system.
The election continues. And this time, division is almost inevitable.
Leave a Reply