WEST SACRAMENTO -- The noise emanating from the bat of Henry Bolte has become far too loud for the Athletics to ignore.
On the heels of one of the hottest streaks you’ll ever see, Bolte, rated the A’s No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was called up ahead of Tuesday night’s series opener against the Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. He joins the club coming off a stretch at Triple-A Las Vegas in which he recorded a hit in 12 consecutive plate appearances, including a total of seven extra-base hits in back-to-back contests.
In corresponding moves, the club placed shortstop Jacob Wilson on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Monday, with a left shoulder subluxation; selected the contract of infielder Michael Stefanic from Las Vegas; optioned infielder Brett Harris to Las Vegas and designated right-handed pitcher Eduarniel Núñez for assignment. Catcher Austin Wynns also cleared waivers and was released.
Bolte was available off the bench Tuesday night as the A’s looked to get his feet on the ground. Going forward, expect the toolsy outfielder, who grades out as a strong defender at all three spots, to get plenty of time in center and right.
“He kind of forced the hand,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “We saw him in Spring Training. He left an impression. He’s earned this opportunity to be here. … We’re going to get him playing time for sure. He’ll get enough opportunity here to get a good evaluation and, hopefully, impact this ballclub.”
It’s not just that three-game stretch that earned Bolte his first call to the big leagues. This opportunity is the result of his mashing of Pacific Coast League pitching since the start of the season, hitting .348/.418/.658 with 12 home runs, seven doubles, 28 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 37 games for Las Vegas.
“The biggest improvement for Henry through his career in the Minor Leagues has been cutting his strikeout rate down,” Kotsay said. “That’s the best sign of a young hitter in his maturation process, and the success he’s having at the plate has contributed to that. His in-zone swing decisions and the reduction of his out-of-zone swing decisions, he’s getting himself in good counts and putting good swings on the baseball.”
COMPLETE ATHLETICS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Bolte has regained his strength after a nagging right wrist issue last season zapped some of his power and limited his range of motion. That strength was on full display last Wednesday, when he hammered a 479-foot homer, the longest recorded by StatCast at any level in the Majors or Minors this season.
“I’m back to swinging the way that I want,” Bolte said. “I was able to go out and compete with it [last year] but it kind of hindered my swing a little bit. I’m back to being free up there in terms of the wrist. It’s been great.”
A second-round Draft pick by the A’s in 2022 out of Palo Alto High School, Bolte gets to live out a childhood dream by donning the green and gold.
“Growing up an A’s fan, every kid growing up dreams of debuting for their home team,” Bolte said. “The fact that it has come to fruition with the A’s is unbelievable. Super surreal moment, for sure.”