He struggled greatly in his major league debut with the Marlins, but the A’s figured a high-ceiling position player would have more value than an injury-prone setup arm. Much like Puk, however, he had a 2022 breakout that re-instilled in his talent, putting up a Noda-ish. 695 OPS at Double-A after sitting out in 2020.

Unfortunately, he didn’t live up to the hype his first couple of minor league seasons, putting up a. The Marlins took the left-handed outfielder with their 4th pick in the 2019 draft and he made it as high as 20th on national prospect lists. Puk, the A’s unexpectedly traded him to the Miami Marlins for another former top pick in Bleday. How Acquired?įollowing a finally healthy and effective season out of the bullpen for former 6th overall pick A.J.

However, he has one more leap to make before proving he’s worth playing every day and that he’s more valuable than what the A’s gave up to get him. A surprise acquisition last offseason, JJ Bleday possesses many of the skills the Oakland Athletics have thrived with in the past.