The Athletics have been busy fortifying their pitching staff this winter, to bolster a team that’s seen the rise of several promising young bats over the past two years. This coming spring, Athletics fans will see several more of the next wave of A’s hitters. Among the non-roster invites headed to big league camp this spring include Colby Thomas, Max Muncy, and Nick Kurtz.
The headliner among the group of 14 non-roster invitees announced on January 17 was Nick Kurtz, the Athletics’ 2024 first-round pick.
Kurtz made it to Double-A last year, weeks after the Athletics picked him fourth overall last July. Between Low-A and Double-A, Kurtz hit .368/.520/.763 with four home runs and seven extra-base hits over 12 games.
The 21-year-old hit 22 home runs last year for Wake Forest, despite a slow start to his junior campaign. Kurtz showcased plus pop with the Demon Deacons and profiles as a power-hitting corner infielder with All-Star potential.
Other notable names included in the list of non-roster invitees are Colby Thomas, Mason Barnett, Max Muncy, and catching prospect Daniel Susac.
Thomas had a breakout campaign last year, hitting 31 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last season. Barnett, acquired in the Lucas Erceg trade from last July, struck out 161 over 133 frames in Double-A in 2024 and pitched exceptionally well (2.61 ERA, 52 K over 41.1 IP) after the trade to the Athletics.
Muncy, the Athletics’ 2021 first-round pick, posted a .903 OPS across 58 games in 2024, playing mostly at Triple-A.
The Athletics also invited top prospects Henry Bolte and Jack Perkins, plus Pedro Santos, Matt Krook, Tanner Dodson, Jason Alexander, Domingo Robles, Logan Davidson, and Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang.
Davidson, the Athletics’ 2019 first-round pick, dealt with significant swing-and-miss troubles over the last few years but hit very well in Triple-A in 2024, putting himself on path to potentially make his MLB debut in 2025. The 27-year-old hit .300/.366/.535 with 14 home runs and 41 extra-base hits over 87 games with Las Vegas (AAA).
Aside from the Athletics inviting prospects to big league camp, the Sacramento-bound team also signed ex-Ranger Jose Leclerc on January 17.