MESA, Ariz. -- Over the first week of Spring Training games, Leo De Vries managed to fly somewhat under the radar, at least as much as a player universally regarded as one of the best prospects in baseball can.
That’s about to change.
It was De Vries’ first time starting a game for the A’s this spring, and with infielder Darell Hernaiz leaving camp to play for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, expect more starting assignments for the 19-year-old shortstop going forward.
“For Leo, this is his first big league camp with us,” manager Mark Kotsay said Saturday morning. “Today, putting him in the starting lineup, there’s a level of excitement. I think he feels that, and he’ll feel it with the guys that he’s going to be out on the field with today.”
De Vries might still be a teenager, but he’s anything but your average 19-year-old prospect. Acquired as the main piece of a prospect package received from the Padres in exchange for Mason Miller and JP Sears at the 2025 Trade Deadline, De Vries moved up from High-A Lansing to Double-A Midland on Aug. 18 after just 15 games with his new organization. From there, De Vries helped Midland to the Texas League Championship Series, batting .281 with a .910 OPS in 21 games for the Rockhounds.
Still getting to know a lot of his new teammates in camp, De Vries carries a certain glow that is evident whenever he walks into the clubhouse. His infectious giant smile lights up the room, as does his shiny customized gold Cuban link chain with a pendant reading his nickname, “El Mutante.”
“It’s hard not to have an aura when you’re rated as one of the best prospects in baseball,” Kotsay said with a laugh. “For me, what I like about the aura is that it’s a quiet level of confidence. There’s some, we use the word ‘swag,’ to how he goes out and plays the game. At the same point, he plays the game the right way. He plays it hard, and he continues to want to learn and grow.”
De Vries played five innings of defense at shortstop on Saturday, but he was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fifth after experiencing some stomach issues. He was treated for possible dehydration after exiting and is expected to be ready to play again as soon as Sunday’s game against the Reds.
Over six spring games, the switch-hitting De Vries is 3-for-10 (.300) and has shown his skills with the glove at shortstop.
“I’ve been impressed with his at-bats,” Kotsay said. “I thought he looked really smooth on some ground balls he got today.”
The A’s will try to get De Vries as much playing time with their regulars this spring as they can before he begins the regular season, likely in Double-A. Based on his fast rise through the Minors thus far, it’s not entirely outside the realm of possibility for De Vries, who doesn’t turn 20 until Oct. 11, to perform well enough to force his way to the big leagues this season, which would make him the first 19-year-old player to play for the A’s since Tod Van Poppel, who made one appearance in 1991 at 19 years and 276 days.
“He’s a special player,” A’s director of player development Ed Sprague said. “He’s got power without being an incredibly strong kid. … He drives it from both sides. Defensively, he’s got really good hands and a really good arm.
“It looks like he’s a guy who can rise to the occasion and the moment doesn’t scare him.”
WBC sendoffs
Eight players left A’s camp following Saturday’s game to represent their respective teams in the World Baseball Classic: Right-handers Luis Severino (Dominican Republic) and Elvis Alvarado (Dominican Republic), left-hander Wei-En Lin (Chinese Taipei), right-hander Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang (Chinese Taipei), Hernaiz (Puerto Rico), left fielder Carlos Cortes (Puerto Rico), center fielder Denzel Clarke (Canada) and first baseman Joey Meneses (Mexico).
“Definitely wish them luck,” Kotsay said. “Pitching is a little bit different than the position guys. There’s a little more concern and a little more that goes into the planning aspect of their routines. But I wish them all luck and hope they go have fun and have success.”