MESA, Ariz. – Athletics manager Mark Kotsay is generally careful not to overly praise or hyperbolize young prospects in Spring Training, especially ones who are still developing and have yet to reach the big leagues.
Asked about Henry Bolte before Sunday’s 12-4 win over the Reds at Hohokam Stadium, however, Kotsay had an atypical glow on his face while speaking about the 22-year-old outfielder.
“There’s a lot of us in that coaches’ room that think this kid has the ability to be a real star,” Kotsay said. “He continues to make progress each year, both on the physicality side and the baseball side of just being a better hitter.
“The tools, the talent and the ability all align with this kid having an impact in our organization, hopefully, sooner than later.”
There is usually a longer development timeline for players drafted out of high school. In the case of Bolte, a second-round pick by the A’s out of Palo Alto High School in 2023, his development has been about as timely as they could have hoped by steadily climbing the organizational ladder.
Last season, Bolte, the A's No. 5 prospect following the 2025 season, pushed himself onto the precipice of the Majors. He began at Double-A Midland, and after an impressive first 80 games in which he slashed .278/.378/.424 with 25 extra-base hits and 31 stolen bases, Bolte was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he hit .300 with an .838 OPS, 10 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases in 34 games.
Bolte is regarded as a five-tool athlete, though the power tool was lacking a bit with just nine home runs in 114 games. Part of that may have stemmed from a nagging right wrist issue he sustained early in the season that limited his range of motion. Undergoing a cleanup procedure on that wrist this offseason, Bolte entered camp feeling back to his pre-2025 form.
“I was able to manipulate my swing enough to put the bat on the ball, but I was not getting the ideal ball flight and extension through the zone I wanted,” Bolte said. “It was something that I could battle through and play, but I wasn’t taking the exact swings I wanted to. … I’m looking forward to a season with a healthy wrist.”
Participating in A’s Spring Training as a non-roster invitee for a second straight year, Bolte is more at the forefront now than he’s ever been before. His presence in Cactus League starting lineups, including Sunday’s as the center fielder, has come much more frequently.
Bolte will continue to get plenty of reps with A’s regulars over the next couple of weeks with outfielders Denzel Clarke and Carlos Cortes away from camp for the World Baseball Classic, while Lawrence Butler and Colby Thomas are working their way back from injuries.
There are still some areas of Bolte’s game the A’s would like to see him improve, particularly his swing-and-miss issues. Last season, he struck out 141 times in 488 plate appearances.
Bolte has worked hard to address those issues by fine-tuning the mechanics of his swing, searching for the right approach to cut down on the strikeouts and tap into the tremendous raw power he possesses.
“Just getting my swing and body to work together as one movement so I’m not fighting myself in one way or another, which might lead to some barrel inaccuracy or some swing-and-miss,” Bolte said. “There’s an approach aspect to it as well. But getting my body to move more cohesively as a swing has been a big focus. I made some good strides last year with it and continued that this offseason and into spring.”
The A’s have a crowded outfield. Butler and Tyler Soderstrom have both signed long-term extensions over the past two years. Center field is Clarke’s job to lose this spring, while Thomas and Cortes are top contenders to enter the season as backups.
Bolte is not far away from that group as a dynamic prospect who plays excellent defense at all three spots, hits for power and wreaks havoc on the basepaths. He’ll likely begin his season at Las Vegas, and the opportunity will be there for him to force the A’s hand for a Major League callup if he continues performing as he has at every level.
“It goes with that comfort thing of knowing this is the next step,” Bolte said. “Helping the big league team win. It’s such a fun, young group of guys and the offense is unbelievable. Thinking about the opportunity to come in and be a part of that is something I’m super excited about.”