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Tyler Soderstrom impressive in first minor league season

By David Hill

(6/4/21) Stockton Ports' Tyler Soderstrom hits a pop fly during a California League baseball game against the Lake Elsinore Storm at the Stockton Ballpark in downtown Stockton.Portsvsstorm 053a
(6/4/21) Stockton Ports' Tyler Soderstrom hits a pop fly during a California League baseball game against the Lake Elsinore Storm at the Stockton Ballpark in downtown Stockton.Portsvsstorm 053a /
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The Oakland A’s had high hopes for Tyler Soderstrom. The 26th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, he was considered to have an advanced approach at the plate and plenty of athleticism. While there was some concern about where he would slot on the diamond, Soderstrom had the type of potential that made him well worth that pick.

Soderstrom had displayed that promise in the A’s alternate camp. Although he was just 18 years old at the time, he showed that knack for making hard contact while working on improving his defense behind the plate. The A’s were impressed by his performance, but he still needed to prove himself in a game environment.

Tyler Soderstrom impresses in first season in Oakland A’s system

The 2021 season was a bit of a mixed bag for Soderstrom. He only appeared in 57 games, with just 38 of those coming behind the plate, as he battled injuries all season. The A’s were only able to get a glimpse of what he could be this year.

But that glimpse was more than enough to impress. Soderstrom posted a .306/.390/.568 batting line in his 254 plate appearances, hitting 12 homers and 20 doubles. Those numbers would have been impressive for any prospect, let alone a 19 year old catcher in his first full season in professional ball.

Not only were those numbers amongst the best of any A’s minor leaguer, but they made a mark over the entire minor leagues as well. Soderstrom’s .957 OPS was the third best mark of any 2020 draftee, with the two players ahead of him having come from the collegiate ranks.

Although he did not get the playing time that the A’s had hoped for, Soderstrom still made quite the debut. He will likely head to the Arizona Fall League to continue to work on his defense and to get more plate appearances, potentially accelerating his development. If this season is any indication, the future is bright indeed.

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Tyler Soderstrom impressed during his first professional season. The Oakland A’s first round pick in 2020 has a bright future ahead of him.