ANAHEIM -- Jorge Mateo will be representing the A’s in the 2019 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Cleveland on July 7, a development few in the organization foresaw around this time just a year ago.

Acquired in the 2017 deal that sent Sonny Gray to the Yankees, Mateo arrived to the A's as an explosive five-tool prospect who was knocking on the door of the Majors. Injuries and bad habits at the plate led to a poor '18 season in Triple-A. But the A’s No. 8 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has re-established himself as a promising part of Oakland's future by going on a tear through the first half of the season with Triple-A Las Vegas.

The 24-year-old shortstop leads the Pacific Coast League with 108 hits, 13 triples and 187 total bases. Overall, Mateo is slashing .316/.349/.547 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs in 74 games, a huge improvement from his 2018 season which saw him hit .230 over 131 games at Triple-A, by far his lowest average over a full season at any level of his Minor League career.

“The ability has always been there,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said before Friday night's game against the Angels. “We’ve seen it in Spring Training for two years. Last year he got off to a slow start and never really came around at the pace we expected, but this year, he hasn’t slowed down at all. He’s been as consistent a player as they’ve had down there. He’s got power and can run. He’s an exciting prospect and it’s all coming together for him right now.”

The return to success for Mateo has been a continuation of the work he put in with Triple-A hitting coach Eric Martins in Spring Training. The two knew Mateo had the ability to make eye-popping plays with his explosive speed and athleticism, but it was more the slowing down of the game and working on the fundamentals that needed to be sharpened up.

Not only has Mateo shown versatility in the lineup by performing well in different spots of the order, but he’s also been splitting some time between second base and shortstop. He’d likely be the first call up if any of the A’s middle infielders were to miss an extended amount of time, and should be up in the Majors by September, at the latest, as long as he remains healthy.

Mateo has an idea of what to expect from the Futures Game. After all, he played in the 2016 game as a member of the Yankees' farm system. But given the struggles he went through last year, making the '19 game gives him a feeling of redemption.

“This is really special to me and a good opportunity,” Mateo told MLB.com. “It makes me happy that they selected me, and I’m really excited.

“I’m just going to try to be consistent. Try to take good at-bats and show them what I’ve got.”

Davis out with swollen hand

After taking a fastball off his left hand from Angels reliever Luis Garcia in the seventh inning of Thursday’s 8-3 loss, Khris Davis was held out of Friday night’s lineup after the hand swelled up. The slugger is considered day to day as the club looks to bring the swelling down in time for Saturday’s game.

“It was just a little bit swollen today, and he was having trouble gripping the bat,” Melvin said. “We’ll give him tonight off.”