Reports from the Athletics' scouting department upon drafting Josh Kuroda-Grauer in 2024 listed several tools that attracted them to him as a third-round pick.
One immeasurable trait showed up multiple times: Winner.
There’s no exact formula or set of guidelines that constitutes a winning ballplayer, but that’s what the A’s saw in Kuroda-Grauer throughout his three-year college career at Rutgers, which ended in him earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors as a junior in ‘24.
A little over a year into his professional career, Kuroda-Grauer -- or "JKG," how he's known to most of his teammates and coaches -- has looked the part of a winner. In his first full season of Minor League ball this season, the 22-year-old shortstop and A’s No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline combined to hit .296 with 30 doubles and 27 stolen bases in 121 games between High-A Lansing and Double-A Midland, ending the year as a leader for a Midland squad that reached the Texas League Championship.
While Kuroda-Grauer has not displayed a ton of pop to this point, his offensive game stands out for his insane bat-to-ball skills that almost rival those of A’s rookie star Jacob Wilson, having struck out just 58 times in 675 career Minor League plate appearances. Defensively, he’s a smooth-fielding shortstop with good range, and the A’s believe he will be a plus defender whether he remains at his natural position or moves to second base, a spot he’s also seen some time at in the Minors.
"Our system is stronger than most years, or else JKG would be getting a lot more prospect love,” said A’s assistant general manager and director of player personnel Billy Owens. “Similar makeup qualities to Marcus Semien. I believe he arrives [to the big leagues] sooner than expected and will be a quality, versatile, winning contributor.”
Kuroda-Grauer headlines a group of prospects currently representing the A’s in the Arizona Fall League, where several former top prospects, most recently center fielder Denzel Clarke, were sent for extra work before debuting in the Majors the following season.
JKG entered Friday hitting .313 with an .871 OPS in 10 games for the Mesa Solar Sox.
Here’s a look at some of the other A’s young talent performing in the AFL:
3B Tommy White (A’s No. 7 prospect)
AFL stats: 43 at-bats, .233 average, .715 OPS, two home runs, one double, 12 RBIs, five walks, six strikeouts
LHP Will Johnston (No. 18)
AFL stats: Six innings, 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 12.00 K/9, 6.00 BB/9
OF Ryan Lasko (No. 17)
AFL stats: 48 at-bats, .375 average, .924 OPS, four doubles, seven RBIs, nine walks, 12 strikeouts
Owens' report: "Ryan Lasko is having a strong Arizona Fall League. Plus athlete that excels defensively. His gladiator center-field defense and rifle throwing arm are on display daily. Encouraged by his offensive performance with Mesa. He touches all five tools and plays with a tenacious motor.”