Elephant Rumblings: Gage Jump, Tommy White to represent A’s at Future’s Game

MLB news roundup

Morning A’s fans!

Things haven’t gone well on the field this year as the big league team is just 35-52 as July comes around, placing them firmly in the sellers category of teams this deadline season. Considering that most other squads are still within striking distance of that third and final Wild Card spot, that should mean a seller’s market for the A’s and other teams who have seen their playoff chances drop into nonexistence. Time to focus on the future.

On the bright side of things, the All-Star Break is right around the corner, offering everyone on the team, the coaching staff, and even us fans a respite from the game. That also means that along with the All-Star Game, baseball fans will be treated to the Futures Game, which aims to give notable and big name prospects a chance to shine on the biggest stage along with their major league counterparts. Previous years have seen current Athletics Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, Shea Langeliers, Denzel Clarke, and Luis Urias play in the game, and it’s a pretty good indicator of potential future success if you get picked to go. Tons of big names have played in this contest, and it truly is a peak into the future of baseball.

Well now you can add two more players to the list of A’s prospects selected. Left-handed starting pitching prospect Gage Jump was selected to go to the Futures Game, along with his fellow 2024 2nd-round draft pick Tommy White, a power-hitting third baseman:

Both players are more than deserving. Jump, who the A’s selected with the 73rd pick in last year’s MLB Draft, has gotten out to a quick start to his professional career. After dominating High-A over six appearances to start this season, the 22-year-old was promoted to Double-A and has thrived there against tougher competition, posting a terrific 1.91 ERA over eight starts for Midland. Currently considered the top prospect in the farm system after a series of recent promotions, Jump looks like a budding ace and could be on the fast track to the majors, with the possibility of a September cup of coffee not off the table. And it seems like the larger baseball world is noticing a hidden gem that the A’s have coming up the ranks.

White meanwhile is having a quality season in High-A as the regular third baseman. The other second-round pick from last year’s draft along with Jump, White is slashing a healthy .277/.348/.505 with nine home runs and an impressive 18-to-25 BB:K ratio. He’s not the most agile player in the world and his long-term defensive home is likely across the diamond at first base, but for now the team is seeing if he can make it work at the hot corner while his bat continues to develop. They have plenty of time to let him grow, with the presence of Nick Kurtz blocking first base for the next six years. The 22-year-old’s offense is ultimately what’ll carry him to the big leagues, and now he’ll get an opportunity to showcase his talents on one of the biggest stages a prospect can take.

There’s no guarantee that either Jump or White will be impact players in the future, but there are smarter baseball people that believe both of these players will be contributing soon enough. In a perfect world Jump gets his feet wet at the end of the year with White coming up behind him next season. But for now, A’s fans will have something more to look forward to other than the All-Star Game during the break. Let’s hope their debuts on the national stage go well!

Have an excellent Tuesday everyone!

A’s Coverage

• Athletics take down the Rays 6-4 in Tampa
• A’s roster moves: Langeliers activated, Thomas selected, Sterner recalled
• A’s reportedly “cant wait” to trade pitcher after he criticizes Sacramento ballpark
• What would a Cubs-A’s trade for Luis Severino look like? Here’s one proposal
• MLB could have had Joe Lacob as A’s owner. Now it can only wish it were so lucky
• Dave Parker’s death sparks more sadness for 1989 Oakland A’s, one of MLB’s all-time great teams

MLB News & Interest:

• Rockies to call up #5 prospect in baseball Yanquiel Fernandez
• Phillies activate Bryce Harper off IL
• Red Sox activate recently-acquired Jordan Hicks off IL
• Orioles place starting pitcher Zach Eflin on IL with lower back discomfort
• Giants place Casey Schmidt on IL with sore hand
• 2025 All-Star Futures Game rosters revealed
• Switch-pitcher picked for Futures Game
• Catcher Tucker Barnhart to retire
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Just in case you missed this play from the new guy on the squad:

What a joke. And worth the full read:

Well-deserved honor for the young outfielder:

And as always, don’t forget to vote!