Five young A's who are standing out early in spring training

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The A's rolled into spring training with an established core of veterans headlining the infield and the rotation, but if Oakland wants to snag its fourth-straight postseason berth this year, they will need some reinforcements at the hands of younger players too -- even if some won't be on the Opening Day roster.That's why this spring's reps for some of the A's top up-and-comers is so important -- they'll serve as earlyindicators on who might be ready to help the big league team in 2021, especially after there was no 2020 minor league season to help gauge player development.So while the initial spring storylines will follow Matt Olson's hot start, Matt Chapman bouncing back, how the newly-revamped bullpen will play out, and whether or not Jed Lowrie cracks the Opening Day roster, keeping tabs on the younger talent has proved just as intriguing.The A's know their top prospects will play a critical role in the team's success this year, and while they are far from answering who could slot in and when, a few young players have jumped on the team's radar early. Here are five young A's standing out so far in Cactus League action.

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<p>Let's start with the obvious, shall we? </p>

<p>Reed reported to spring as a non-roster invitee who would likely open the season at the team's alternate site since the 2021 minor league season delayed at least a month. However, the outfielder has emerged as a human highlight reel early on for the A's.</p>

<p>Reed has barreled two home runs in nine games, but it's his defensive athleticism that has truly been on display. The 25-year-old can play anywhere in the outfield and has showcased both <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/buddy-reed-shows-rocket-arm-throws-out-dodger-home-plate">an elite throwing arm</a> and impressive speed. </p>

<p>"It's the defense that is his calling card," manager Bob Melvin said earlier in the spring. "Not only is he able to play all three outfield positions, but he runs and throws well. He's getting an opportunity like he probably never has before in big league camp and he's taking advantage of it."</p>

<p>Reed remains a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, but the A's will reward performance when warranted. Should Reed want to beat the odds and nab the fourth outfield job, he'll need to keep up his offensive production, which has lacked in years prior. </p>

<p>"There are several guys in front of him," Melvin said. "But look, I don’t want to spoil the party here. It’s all about performance."</p>

<p>Seth Brown remains the A's favorite for the backup outfield role, at least right now. Notable prospect Luis Barrera should garner consideration, along with Rule 5 draft pick Ka'ai Tom, who has yet to appear in a game as he deals with an oblique injury. </p>

<p>But Reed's spring so far sure is making a statement, and it's a safe bet he'll help bolster the team throughout the season, even if it's not right away.</p>

Let's start with the obvious, shall we? 

Reed reported to spring as a non-roster invitee who would likely open the season at the team's alternate site since the 2021 minor league season delayed at least a month. However, the outfielder has emerged as a human highlight reel early on for the A's.

Reed has barreled two home runs in nine games, but it's his defensive athleticism that has truly been on display. The 25-year-old can play anywhere in the outfield and has showcased both an elite throwing arm and impressive speed. 

"It's the defense that is his calling card," manager Bob Melvin said earlier in the spring. "Not only is he able to play all three outfield positions, but he runs and throws well. He's getting an opportunity like he probably never has before in big league camp and he's taking advantage of it."

Reed remains a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, but the A's will reward performance when warranted. Should Reed want to beat the odds and nab the fourth outfield job, he'll need to keep up his offensive production, which has lacked in years prior. 

"There are several guys in front of him," Melvin said. "But look, I don’t want to spoil the party here. It’s all about performance."

Seth Brown remains the A's favorite for the backup outfield role, at least right now. Notable prospect Luis Barrera should garner consideration, along with Rule 5 draft pick Ka'ai Tom, who has yet to appear in a game as he deals with an oblique injury. 

But Reed's spring so far sure is making a statement, and it's a safe bet he'll help bolster the team throughout the season, even if it's not right away.

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<p>Jefferies' first faced batter of the spring yielded an impressive enough result. The right-hander struck out Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Bets <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/daulton-jefferies-strikes-out-mookie-betts-proud-spring-debut">on three pitches</a> to start his spring campaign. </p>

<p>Jefferies' spring sample size since then is small, but it's encouraging. In three innings, the Merced native has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four. Known for a lethal fastball-changeup combo, Jefferies has <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/daulton-jefferies-impressing-spring-training-new-slider">added another breaking ball</a> to his arsenal, a slider, that has shown plenty of life so far this spring.</p>

<p>"I've gotten past the beginner phase of it where I'm getting a lot more confident in throwing it now, and throwing it in early-ball counts, late-ball counts," Jefferies said after his most recent start Saturday. "It felt great."</p>

<p>Plenty of allure surrounds Jefferies -- MLB Pipeline lists him as the A's No. 4 prospect. Oakland's <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/havent-talked-six-man-rotation-despite-plenty-pitching-depth">pitching depth runs deep</a> and there is no telling where Jefferies could end up. But there's also no such thing as too much pitching, especially after a condensed 60-game season last year. Expect him to make a big impact in Oakland this season. </p>

Jefferies' first faced batter of the spring yielded an impressive enough result. The right-hander struck out Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Bets on three pitches to start his spring campaign. 

Jefferies' spring sample size since then is small, but it's encouraging. In three innings, the Merced native has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four. Known for a lethal fastball-changeup combo, Jefferies has added another breaking ball to his arsenal, a slider, that has shown plenty of life so far this spring.

"I've gotten past the beginner phase of it where I'm getting a lot more confident in throwing it now, and throwing it in early-ball counts, late-ball counts," Jefferies said after his most recent start Saturday. "It felt great."

Plenty of allure surrounds Jefferies -- MLB Pipeline lists him as the A's No. 4 prospect. Oakland's pitching depth runs deep and there is no telling where Jefferies could end up. But there's also no such thing as too much pitching, especially after a condensed 60-game season last year. Expect him to make a big impact in Oakland this season. 

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<p>The A's 2019 first-round pick, Davidson has yet to play a full season of professional ball and remains a ways away from big league action. Still, he has shown plenty of the power that evaluators have stressed since he was drafted.</p>

<p>Davidson, 23, is a switch-hitting infielder known for barreling balls and being able to decently work the count. That has been on full display, as he's 3-for-6 in four Cactus League games, including a <a href="https://twitter.com/Athletics/status/1368689529448587264?s=20">towering two-run home run</a> to straightaway center Saturday.</p>

<p>"He's bigger, he's stronger," Melvin said Tuesday. "The more he gets to play and the more at-bats he gets the more confident he's going to be. He's going to be a good player." </p>

<p>Davidson isn't projected to be big league ready until 2022, and a lot of that will depend on how  the minor league season plays out this year. However, he remains an impressive talent and is poised for a breakout year in the minors.  </p>

The A's 2019 first-round pick, Davidson has yet to play a full season of professional ball and remains a ways away from big league action. Still, he has shown plenty of the power that evaluators have stressed since he was drafted.

Davidson, 23, is a switch-hitting infielder known for barreling balls and being able to decently work the count. That has been on full display, as he's 3-for-6 in four Cactus League games, including a towering two-run home run to straightaway center Saturday.

"He's bigger, he's stronger," Melvin said Tuesday. "The more he gets to play and the more at-bats he gets the more confident he's going to be. He's going to be a good player." 

Davidson isn't projected to be big league ready until 2022, and a lot of that will depend on how  the minor league season plays out this year. However, he remains an impressive talent and is poised for a breakout year in the minors.  

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<p>Kaprielian is another pitcher the A's are high on. He's yet to allow an earned run this spring and has scattered three hits over three innings while striking out three and walking none. </p>

<p>He held the Los Angeles Angels scoreless over two innings in his most recent start Friday, an especially notable achievement given the Angels had most of their starters in the lineup. </p>

<p>"He's trying to go out there and make a mark, and to be able to navigate that lineup for a couple of innings and hold them scoreless is good," Melvin said after Kaprielian's outing. </p>

<p>The 27-year-old has worked back from injuries, including Tommy John surgery, that kept him out of his first three minor league seasons. He'll continue to get work this spring and likely will be another viable option for the A's out of the bullpen this year. </p>

Kaprielian is another pitcher the A's are high on. He's yet to allow an earned run this spring and has scattered three hits over three innings while striking out three and walking none. 

He held the Los Angeles Angels scoreless over two innings in his most recent start Friday, an especially notable achievement given the Angels had most of their starters in the lineup. 

"He's trying to go out there and make a mark, and to be able to navigate that lineup for a couple of innings and hold them scoreless is good," Melvin said after Kaprielian's outing. 

The 27-year-old has worked back from injuries, including Tommy John surgery, that kept him out of his first three minor league seasons. He'll continue to get work this spring and likely will be another viable option for the A's out of the bullpen this year. 

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<p>As previously mentioned, Barrera could be an underrated candidate for the A's final outfield spot. Barrera's arrival to Arizona was delayed with visa complications, but he has made quite the impact in his limited appearances. </p>

<p>In five games, the 25-year-old is 2-for-7 with a double, one RBI, a walk, a stolen base and three runs scored. Known for being a pure hitter, Barrera can spray contact all over the field and brings a solid left-handed approach.</p>

<p>His defensive versatility and speed also are bonuses, as Barrera can play all three outfield positions and run well. He's yet to play above Double-A ball, but was active at the A's alternate site last summer and spent the offseason playing in the Dominican Winter League. </p>

<p>While Brown has the advantage as the frontrunner for the job, he's off to a slow 1-for-11 start this spring. It's early, but if Barrera keeps up this production it could lead to some tough decisions for the A's staff to make come Opening Day. </p>

As previously mentioned, Barrera could be an underrated candidate for the A's final outfield spot. Barrera's arrival to Arizona was delayed with visa complications, but he has made quite the impact in his limited appearances. 

In five games, the 25-year-old is 2-for-7 with a double, one RBI, a walk, a stolen base and three runs scored. Known for being a pure hitter, Barrera can spray contact all over the field and brings a solid left-handed approach.

His defensive versatility and speed also are bonuses, as Barrera can play all three outfield positions and run well. He's yet to play above Double-A ball, but was active at the A's alternate site last summer and spent the offseason playing in the Dominican Winter League. 

While Brown has the advantage as the frontrunner for the job, he's off to a slow 1-for-11 start this spring. It's early, but if Barrera keeps up this production it could lead to some tough decisions for the A's staff to make come Opening Day. 

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