ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Oakland traditionally loves to take starting pitchers with first-round draft picks and the A’s also have a strong need for outfielders. Luckily for them, there should be some good options at either spot when the A’s make the sixth pick in Monday’s amateur draft.
Two prep players in North Carolina are high on the team’s radar after extensive scouting: left-hander MacKenzie Gore from Whiteville High School and outfielder Austin Beck from North Davidson High School. Beck recently worked out at the Coliseum for A’s officials.
Vanderbilt right-hander Kyle Wright would be a strong consideration for Oakland in the unlikely event he drops to the sixth spot, and the A’s also like Vanderbilt outfielder Jeren Kendall quite a bit.