Stockton Ports Season Preview

Four Interesting Storylines for the Stockton Ports in 2022

The California League is not about wins and losses and fortunately so for the Ports last year. The Low A club went 42–75, good for last in the Low-A West, as it was known last year. A decent influx of talent this offseason though might not only put the Ports in position to win more games but we might get even more storylines and breakouts as the season progresses. Here’s a look at four storylines for the Ports as the 2022 California League season gets underway:

Capital in Catching

I love catchers and so do the A’s. As the big league club “transitions”, the return of stalwart back stop prospect Shea Langeliers came as no surprise. He looks to anchor the retool behind the plate, starting the season with AAA Vegas. In the meantime, Sean Murphy is the starter but it is anyone’s guess as to how long. I’m glad Murphy is still an A, for what it’s worth. The 2021 Gold Glove winner is a matured plate approach away from stardom in my opinion.

Further adding to their pool of future backstop candidates, Oakland selected 2 catchers in the first 9 rounds of the 2021 draft. Both will report to Stockton this season. In the 5th round the Athletics selected CJ Rodriguez out of Vanderbuilt. Standing a modest 5’10”, the formy Vandy Boys’ value lies in his work behind the plate. The glove was on display over 22 games in Stockton last season as he showed himself to be an above average 21 year old catcher. He will look to build on the 13 hits he collected in 81 AB’s while continuing his good work on defense.

Shane McGuire was selected in the 9th round out of the University of San Diego. He is a sight unseen for me but went 14 for 50 in his pro debut last year in the Arizona Complex League. He slashed .278/.389/.483 for the Torros last season. He looks to share the catching role in some capacity with Rodriguez this season for Stockton.

Big Time International Dollars

When a franchise is so, uhm, comically cheap(?) it raises eyebrows when they spend top 10 money on international prospects. In addition to facial expressions, it puts tremendous pressure on these very young players.

Robert Puason received 5 million dollars in 2019, tying as the biggest bonus that year. He was sent by the organization to Stockton to begin 2021. As an 18 year old in his pro debut the numbers were ugly, he slashed .215/.282/.291 when it was all said and done. Further, I saw a report of a scout quoted as being out on him entirely. His stock is down but there is reason for optimism. For starters, the assignment to Low A to start 2021 was extremely aggressive. Also, his at bats seemed to improve over the course of the season. A key development for him. Further, reports of Puason being more receptive to coaching this year have circulated which is a great sign. The athleticism is also undeniable for him. Added to the possibility for projection in his frame, he is still an exciting prospect. His road to the big leagues will be long but Puason is poised to improve upon his debut season.

Pedro Pineda does not share the status of highest bonus in a given year but he did receive 2.5 million from the A’s, which was the 8th largest bonus in 2021 per Sportrac. His speed is tantalizing and especially so when combined with his power potential. The hit tool will be key to watch as he makes his full season debut. He hit .258/.403/.403 in 62 AB’s in the complex last season, also putting the wheels on display he hit 2 triples and stole 6 bags. He also got caught 5 times… I can’t wait to see him.

2021 Draft Highlights

The front office has had success with first round picks. Most recently and notably, Matt Chapman in 2014 and Tyler Soderstrom in 2020. Between those two though it has not been a fruitful stretch.

• 2015: Richie Martin
• 2016: AJ Puk
• 2017: Austin Beck
• 2018: Kyler Murray
• 2019: Logan Davidson

Enter Max Muncy, selected 25 overall in 2021 out of high school. Reportedly a smooth fielder with more pop than you’d expect from his 6’1” 180lbs frame, Muncy reportedly came into camp having gotten much stronger since his pro debut last summer. This can only be seen as a positive development from this vantage point. Again, the hit tool will be key to monitor. I have yet to see him outside of grainy draft footage but am looking forward to it this year. He will pair with Puason for a fun double play combination and it will be interesting to see who gets the majority of playing time on the left side of the infield.

Denzel Clark was not a first round pick but he is an exciting player in his own right. Taken in the 4th and listed at 6’5” 220lbs, Clark was a multi-sport athlete whose sole focus has not always been baseball. He gained some traction after crushing a homer in big league camp this spring and deservedly so as he crushed the pitch. He is an intriguing player out of Cal State Northridge due to his athleticism and plus raw power. Clark will be fun to watch play the outfield for the Ports this year.

College Arms

The mound was not a strength for Stockton last season. Seeing as the A’s took arms with 8 out of their last 10 picks in the 2021 draft, many of those selections will start the season in Stockton. The pitching figures to improve.

• Mitch Myers (23yo)- RHP / 6’2”/ /12th round, University of Pittsburgh
• Luke Anderson (23yo)- RHP/ 6’ 2” / 15th round, University of Central Oklahoma
• Kyle Viterbitsky (23yo)- RHP/ 6’ 7” /17th round, Penn State
• Blake Beers (23yo)- RHP/ 6’ 4”/ 19th round, Michigan
• Hunter Breault (22yo)- RHP/ 6’ 2” / 20th round, Oregon

Granted these are late round college pitching picks, the upside is notoriously limited. This does not mean, however, there are no effective arms here. It will be interesting to watch who stands out among the group.

2 more notable arms in Stockton this season are Tyler Baum and Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang. Baum was the 2nd round pick in 2019 out of UNC. His pro career to this point has been derailed by injuries but he is hopefully ready to rock for the Ports. Zhuang is a very intriguing arm out of Taiwan. Standing at 6’1” the reports from camp this year were bullish on his stuff. He will be fun to watch this year